Innovation Mission development and innovation in the seed sector to Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal
Are you an entrepreneur, researcher or do you work for an NGO? Are you involved in the development of innovative products, solutions and applications within the vegetable seed sector? Would you like to contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative seed sector and food production in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire (formerly Ivory Coast)? Then join this innovation mission!
Attendee information
Attendee information- Participation costs €350 excluding VAT per person.
- Registration deadline: 20 February 2026.
Organiser
Organiser- Netherlands Enterprise Agency
During this mission, you will explore opportunities for innovative collaboration with local partners in both Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal. Two countries that experience strong and stable economic development. The mission focuses on knowledge sharing, forming partnerships and exploring projects that will help develop a future-proof seed sector in both countries.
For whom and focus
This mission is intended for Dutch companies, knowledge and research institutions, and NGOs active in sustainable seed production and complementary services and solutions, who are interested in collaborating with Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal. This mission is especially of interest for:
- researchers with a focus on applied research;
- trainers for capacity building projects;
- seed companies;
- agronomists/cultivation advisors for the vegetable seed sector (including onions and potatoes);
- NGOs and sector organisations.
The mission focuses on research and innovation, testing adaptability, and promoting seeds that are suitable for local climate conditions, including:
- Facilitating the selection of varieties based on grower demand.
- Setting up applied research on different vegetable varieties and molecular screening for opportunities to adapt vegetable seeds to local conditions.
- Establishing public-private partnerships between (inter)national companies and local stakeholders.
- Emphasising the importance of adaptability testing, including verification, production, growth cycle and ensuring seed quality.
- Gaining a better understanding of the regulatory framework for testing and marketing new varieties.
- Gaining insight into and discussing the current state of local seed policy.
Why Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal?
The seed sector in Côte d'Ivoire is undergoing rapid development. With a new national strategy and seed catalogue now in place, this provides strategic tools for organising supply and regulating standards in Côte d'Ivoire. At the same time, more and more private parties, seed companies, demonstration centres (such as the Dutch-Ivorian Centre of Excellence MOYÉ) and incubators are gradually strengthening the chain.
Despite this significant progress, local production remains insufficient to meet national demand for vegetable seeds, among other things. This leads to large imports for certain staple crops.
Recent initiatives focus on harmonising the sector and increasing the production of locally certified seeds. The aim is to:
- reduce dependence on imports;
- increase the availability of seeds for local conditions;
- promote a more resilient and inclusive value chain for seed multipliers and small producers.
The main challenges offer opportunities at the same time. These lie in the areas of:
- insufficient production capacity;
- the need to improve traceability and quality;
- improving access to seeds through distribution models adapted to small-scale vegetable growers.
Senegal has a dynamic horticultural sector that stems from strong national and regional demand for fruit and vegetables (including onions and potatoes). Senegal also has export opportunities in this area. These circumstances lead to growing demand for high-quality seeds that are adapted to local agro-ecological conditions and meet market needs.
Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), a study was conducted in 2024 into the seed sector in Senegal. This provides a strong analysis. The Senegalese horticultural value chain has been mapped out. This:
- has identified sector trends;
- examined the regulatory framework;
- highlighted the main challenges and needs of stakeholders.
Such an analysis is available for only a few countries in the region. This enables an innovative, targeted and evidence-based mission.
Read the French-language Seed Sector Study Senegal on the SeedNL website.
This mission is part of the multi-year plans of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) to collaborate with Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal on sustainable agriculture and food security. By investing jointly in knowledge sharing, innovation and its application, we are working on future-proof solutions for both countries.
Goal of the mission
The goals of this mission are:
- Gain insight into the (vegetable) seed sector in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal.
- Collaborate on a multi-year programme for the development of a sustainable seed sector in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal.
- Establish contacts with stakeholders from government, research and agricultural companies who are interested in Dutch knowledge and technology.
- Explore concrete opportunities for pilot projects, consortium formation and long-term collaborations.
- Demonstrate Dutch expertise in sustainable agriculture, specifically in the seed sector.
Concept programme
The mission programme is still under development. Below you find the first version, which is subject to change. We will try to incorporate the specific wishes of the participants as much as possible in the development of the final programme.
Arrival in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Kick-off and briefing.
- Visit to the National Centre for Agricultural Research (CNRA), including seed breeding and variety testing facilities.
- Briefing by CNRA experts on testing adaptability and promoting vegetable seeds.
- Networking session.
- Visits to the Ministry of Agriculture (MEMINADERPV) with the Department of Seeds and Fertilisers (DSEPA).
- Seminar on the development of the seed sector in Côte d'Ivoire and the Netherlands, with Ivorian partners from the private and public sectors.
- Discussion of a bilateral seed programme for Ivory Coast.
- Field visit (to be determined).
- Trip to Senegal and briefing at the hotel.
- Session on the development of the seed sector with the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA).
- Visit to the Ministry of Agriculture, discussions with DISEM (seed department) and DHORT (horticulture department).
- Field visit to ISRA: seed propagation site.
- Discussion of a bilateral seed programme for Senegal.
- Networking lunch.
- Field visit to a potato seed propagator (to be determined).
- Departure to Amsterdam.
Costs
The cost of participating in the innovation mission is €350 per person. This includes:
- participation in the collective programme;
- transfers to and from programme components;
- lunch and dinners as specified in the programme.
Participation does not include:
- travel and accommodation costs (for example flights and hotels);
- all individual costs (such as lunches and dinners outside the collective programme).
Registration
Would you like to participate in this innovation mission? Please register by Friday 20 February using the online registration form.
Final participation depends on the number of places available. We will also assess how well your technology fits within the scope and objective of the mission.
Want to know more?
Looking for financial support for your plans?
- The Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Agriculture, Water and Food (KIA LWV, in Dutch) offers the opportunity to apply for funding for public-private R&D collaboration via the SMP (Seed Money Project) and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) instruments on an annual basis.
- In addition, various other instruments are available within RVO, such as DHI (demonstration, feasibility and investments), Impact Cluster and PIB (Partners for International Business). Please consult our subsidy and funding guide for Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal.
Read more about our innovation missions on our information page (in Dutch).
Do you have any questions about this innovation mission? Please contact:
Bert van der Heide
International Innovation Advisor Agri-Food
- E: bert.vanderheide@rvo.nl
- M: +31 (0) 6 29371209
Or send an email to innovatiemissies@rvo.nl.
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
