The crop varieties, developed by the Agricultural Research Institute for Development (Irad), will be sown on a total area of 7,500 hectares. The plan aims to generate a stock of 70,000 tons of certified seeds, ready to be redistributed to family farmers. The initiative is part of the Integrated Plan for Agropastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution (PIISAH), which aims to increase local food production and reduce the country's commercial dependence on external markets.

The seed multiplication strategy targets high-consumption crops, particularly rice, corn, and soybeans, which are at the heart of local nutrition. The three northern provinces represent the country's main grain stores, but yields are stagnant due to the low use of fertilizers, precarious agricultural equipment, and irregular rainfall. The authorities hope that access to resistant crop varieties will increase yields per hectare, secure rural incomes, and stabilize the supply of urban markets in the Sudano-Sahelian zone.

The launch of the seed distribution campaign comes as the north faces a latent humanitarian and nutritional crisis, exacerbated by the late start of the rainy season on June 18, 2026. Local populations are suffering from the consequences of border insecurity, forced displacement of communities, and structural poverty. Cyclical flooding and repeated droughts are continually weakening the annual grain balances. The success of the state intervention will depend on the rigor of the homologation process for future harvests and the establishment of an effective distribution network, ensuring that certified seeds reach small producers on time before the next sowing season.


BCN

Tags: sécurité alimentaire grand-nord agriculture semences améliorées irad piisah import-substitution nutrition locale développement rural sécurité nutritionnelle