STAKEHOLDER ANALYSES FOR SWEETPOTATO SEED SYSYTEM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study presents empirical evidence on stakeholder analyses for sweetpotato seed system in Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage purposive sampling procedure to select 102 sweetpotato actors along the sweetpotato seed value chain. Data were collected in 2019 with the aid of structured questionnaire using monkey survey and focus group discussion (FGD). Descriptive statistics such as charts, and tables, Likert-type scaling and IIM (importance and influence matrix) model were used to identify and describe the stakeholders, determine the level of importance and influence, and their position in the system. The result showed that the actors- NGO, root producers, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), farmer’s cooperatives and Business Support Services had high importance with low influence, while University, Private sectors and financial agencies had both low level of importance and influence. The researchers, Varietal Release Committee and donor agencies were found to have both high level of importance and influence while government had low importance with high influence. The results indicated that the position of each stakeholder determined the effectiveness of the role they play in the system. The study therefore called on interventions to involve all actors at “the involvement stage” through advocacy visits and sustained lobbying in the interest of the government. Exclusive inclusion and protection of all stakeholders in the system through participatory, empowerment and supportive approaches will go a long way to improving the system. Efforts should be made to retain those already at the stage by initiating more scientific programmes.