DIAGNOSIS OF RICE SEED SECTOR IN COTE DIVOIRE: ASSETS, WEAKNESSES AND STRATEGYFOR ASUSTAINABLE MULTIPLICATION, AND DISSEMINATION OF QUALITY SEEDS

In Cote dIvoire, less than 10% of rice-growing areas are covered by improved varieties seeds of good quality.A diagnosis of the seed sector was carried out to highlight its main constraints and propose a strategy for the sustainable production and dissemination of seeds.The schedule of fixturesindicates that the seed issue is taken into account by policies, strategies and regulations specific to the seed sector and the agricultural sector as a whole.Unfortunately, in its implementation, these seed policies and strategies do not take up their proper place to ensure increased agricultural productivity.Seed production is based on formal and informal seed systems.In the formal system the supply ofquality seeds is negligible. The main constraints of this system coversall links in the value chain. To improve farmers access to seeds of good quality, a strategy that is fully aligned with regional strategies, and especially the revised national rice development strategy, which takes into account the period from 2020 to 2030, has been proposed. The goal of this strategy is to increase the rate ofthe use of seed of improved varieties seedsup to 70% by 2030. This strategy promotes the professionalisation and empowerment of private sector.Its implementation should involve all stakeholders in the countrys seed value chain.