West African farmers have gained access to an unprecedented number of improved vegetable varieties through the SafeVeg project, amounting to the largest expansion of officially recognised vegetable crops in the region’s history.
The achievement will be highlighted this week as researchers and stakeholders gather in Cotonou, Benin, to mark the conclusion of the five-year, WorldVeg-led initiative.
The work of SafeVeg has resulted in the release of 68 new varieties of climate-smart vegetables in Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso, including chilli and habanero pepper, tomato, okra, amaranth, onion, roselle and jute mallow. This represents the largest increase in new crop registrations ever in the three countries, roughly doubling the total number of officially recognised vegetable varieties from 70 to 138.
The surge in registrations and releases marks a significant achievement for SafeVeg and the region’s vegetable sector. Prior to the project, the 70 vegetable varieties listed in national seed catalogues of the three countries were largely outdated. They lacked the traits demanded by farmers and markets, restricting seed availability and limiting the growth and potential of the vegetable sector.
Tomato trials at WorldVeg in Cotonou, Benin. Pic by Neil Palmer (WorldVeg)
Bred for high yields and resistance to key pests, diseases and product (fruit/leaf) quality, the new varieties could boost production and incomes for hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers. By virtue of requiring fewer pesticide applications, the varieties also support production that is safer for producers, consumers and the environment.
Sixty of the new varieties originated from WorldVeg, with the others coming from partners including the national agricultural research institutes of Benin (INRAB) and Burkina Faso (INERA), and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST) at Benin’s University of Abomey-Calavi.
“This number of new vegetable variety releases is astounding,” said Dr Mathieu Ayenan, Associate Scientist – Vegetable Breeder at WorldVeg, and a member of the team that works on the SafeVeg component on Varieties and Seed Systems. “It’s proof that with world class science, excellent funding support, and local, regional and international partnerships, we can create the conditions for quantum leaps in vegetable production.”
SafeVeg project leader Dr Edmond Totin said: “The work of SafeVeg is likely to be truly transformative in the region. It is helping unleash the power of productive, nutritious, safely-produced vegetables for West African farmers, consumers and economies.”
Seed catalogs transformed
The new varieties are now in the process of being included in the West Africa and Sahel regional catalog – the official register that determines which crop varieties can be commercially produced and marketed in the region. The catalog is overseen by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Since 2023, the releases include:
- 50 in Benin, including varieties of amaranth, okra, chilli pepper, habanero pepper, jute mallow and tomato. It represents a huge, six-fold increase in the total number of registered vegetable varieties in the country;
- 15 in Mali, including varieties of African eggplant, amaranth, chilli pepper, hibiscus, okra, onion and tomato, taking the total number of registered varieties to 48
- 9 in Burkina Faso, including varieties of tomato, African eggplant, okra and hibiscus, taking the number of registered varieties to 36.
- An additional 14 varieties already released in Benin and Mali have also been approved for local seed production.
Power through partnerships
SafeVeg brought together researchers, national seed services, extension services, farmers, seed producers and traders to identify, test and register improved vegetable varieties adapted to local conditions.
“For a long time, there was a glaring void in the release and registration of vegetable varieties in the Benin Catalogue of Varieties and Plant Species,” said Dr Armel CG Mensah, Head of the Vegetable Crops Research Program at INRAB. “Few vegetable varieties were registered, offering growers less choice in meeting new challenges.”
He added that the newly released varieties had undergone rigorous testing under ECOWAS-approved protocols, paving the way for their inclusion in the regional catalog.
“Increasing the number of vegetable varieties available to seed producers and farmers will ultimately help boost the local seed sector and improve the productivity and competitiveness of vegetable production throughout West Africa,” he said.
SafeVeg worked with the CGIAR Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) initiative – now part of the CGIAR Better Diets and Nutrition Science Program; and the Choose, Grow Thrive project led by WorldVeg and funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It also worked closely with national agricultural research institutes in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali (IER).
The results show that while the SafeVeg project is coming to a close, its impact in West Africa is likely to grow and grow.
SafeVeg (Safe, locally produced vegetables for West African consumers) is implemented by the World Vegetable Center in partnership with CIRAD and Wageningen University, with funding from the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Additional support came from CGIAR’s FRESH initiative and the Choose, Grow Thrive project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ.
The work of SafeVeg aligns with the Action Areas on: Climate Resilience; Healthy Diets; Economic Empowerment; and Food Safety and Loss Reduction, from the WorldVeg Global Strategy (2026-2033).
Download the seed catalogs for Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso (in French). Anyone interested in accessing the seed of the released varieties should contact WorldVeg through seedrequest@worldveg.org and copy info-wca-ch@worldveg.org.
This story is based on material provided by Mathieu Ayenan and Lys Amavi Aglinglo of WorldVeg.
Read other SafeVeg stories here:
Greens with that? Street food vendors become advocates for healthy eating in Burkina Faso
Growing trust, growing markets: Vegetable farmers in Benin embrace organic certification
The income multiplier: Vegetable Business Networks turn coordination into profit in West Africa
Breaking Benin’s vegetable bottlenecks: Water, skills and farmer networks drive five-fold growth
Promoting safe vegetables in Mali: Origin labelling builds consumer trust
