FAO has received funding from ECHO to build capacity for food and nutrition security programming in emergency and rehabilitation contexts on different aspects, including on seed security assessment. One way to develop this capacity is to improve knowledge exchange, broaden participation, provide accessible informational resources among the practitioners, and seek technical support from among a pool of practitioners. The ECHO project is therefore supporting and promoting this Community of Practice in four target countries of the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South-Sudan) to allow seed security practitioners to connect and learn from each other.
This is to let you know that the SSA brochure and Practitioner's Guide are now available online and in print. We shall be sending few print copies to FAO country offices (Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Rwanda). Meanwhile, please find below the URLs to download the electronic copy of the publications.
Thanks Joseph Okidi for keeping me in the loop of SSA communication. I am still working with Across, If you have any upcoming training in Kenya this year, then do not hesitate to contact. I am available for this kind of training even our Project can support in term of transport. Kind regards. James Madit Matueny.
Thanks Joseph for the seed systems brochure and practitioners guide. Best regards, Mary karanja Sent from my Infinix On Jun 15, 2016 11:09 AM, Madit Hassan <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Thanks Joseph Okidi for keeping me in the loop of SSA communication. I am still working with Across, If you have any upcoming training in Kenya this year, then do not hesitate to contact. I am available for this kind of training even our Project can support in term of transport. > Kind regards. > James Madit Matueny. > > On Sat, Jun 11, 2016 at 6:19 PM, Okidi, Joseph
Thanks Joseph for the guide and I will be able to download, hope it will help us a lot in West Nile
Regards
Acile Rogers
On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 7:37 PM, Mary K. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Thanks Joseph for the seed systems brochure and practitioners guide. > > Best regards, > > Mary karanja > > Sent from my Infinix > On Jun 15, 2016 11:09 AM, Madit Hassan <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Thanks Joseph Okidi for keeping me in the loop of SSA communication. I am > still working with Across, If you have any upcoming training
Thanks for the seed systems brochure and practitioners guide. really it's useful guide.
Best regards,
Saam
On Mon, Jun 27, 2016 at 10:52 AM, Acile Rogers <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Thanks Joseph for the guide and I will be able to download, hope it will > help us a lot in West Nile > > Regards > > Acile Rogers > > On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 7:37 PM, Mary K. <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Thanks Joseph for the seed systems brochure and practitioners guide. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Mary karanja >> >> Sent from my
Greetings from SSA CoP secretariat. It has been a while for us to be in touch on seed security issues. I believe many of you have been a bit busy with various assignments since the beginning of the year. Having been out of touch for sometimes, we would like to provide you with a few updates bellow.
Thanks a lot for sending the SSSA update.Let us keep in touch.
Kind Regards
Tamirat Tsegaye Miskay, National Disaster Risk Management Commission, Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.
On Thu, May 19, 2016 at 9:19 AM, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask] > wrote:
> [image: Boxbe] <https://www.boxbe.com/overview> This message is eligible > for Automatic Cleanup! ([log in to unmask]) Add cleanup rule > <https://www.boxbe.com/popup?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boxbe.com%2Fcleanup%3Ftoken%3DulI3mszKZ2GC6Qzmu%252FiXLwPUv2DnsZ1dfKidzEC0YAvgk62JClb3PZg7fIaewG6Nm42UH4IKkjMn9RDglNeV17G8x4QnmrV6eUhD%252F1U8HbD6aUD3xCgZPb5vFzdwgvKkvgMO0hTlEV8%253D%26key%3DnLIeYbT0y7XhYrT66qTQbA%252Fixjzmlj06TnoqKluDIp0%253D&tc_serial=25456266224&tc_rand=198255000&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001> > | More info > <http://blog.boxbe.com/general/boxbe-automatic-cleanup?tc_serial=25456266224&tc_rand=198255000&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001> > > Dear members, > > > > Greetings from SSA CoP secretariat. It has been a while for us to be in > touch on seed security issues. I believe many of you have been
Hie, Thanks for the information and updates. Shared the seed systems report for Kenya with the policy team in Kilimo. Best Regards, Mary On May 19, 2016 9:21 AM, "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear members, > > > > Greetings from SSA CoP secretariat. It has been a while for us to be in > touch on seed security issues. I believe many of you have been a bit busy > with various assignments since the beginning of the year. Having been out > of touch for sometimes, we would like to provide you with a few updates
1. Acute seed insecurity is normally brought on by distinct, short duration events that often affect a broad range of population. ie loss of harvest of a season, floods , short civil unrest etc. Seed systems can be very resilient.
2. Chronic seed insecurity is independent of acute disaster, although it may be exaggerated by it. It normally occurs among populations who have been marginalized in different ways eg Arid areas, Continual drought. -----Original Message----- From: "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 06:19:56 +0000 Subject: SSA Updates and Dicussion Points
Thanks for the updates after a long silence the year. I would also to share my ideas about the discussion points raised. Briefly I do understand the term ACUTE SEED INSECURITY and CHRONIC SEED INSECURITY as follows: The Acute Seed Insecurity follows a disaster outcome generally crop growers’ needs for essential seeds no longer covered. The affected community or affected household has no means of producing seeds any longer. The essential seeds not accessible or available to ensure subsistence so, requires seed aid interventions to refresh seed stock sustainably and facilitate resumed seeds production. The Chronic Seed Insecurity
Dear Joseph Participants are real speaking their minds and there is sence in their reasoning Thanka On May 19, 2016 9:21 AM, "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear members, > > > > Greetings from SSA CoP secretariat. It has been a while for us to be in > touch on seed security issues. I believe many of you have been a bit busy > with various assignments since the beginning of the year. Having been out > of touch for sometimes, we would like to provide you with a few updates > bellow. > > > > *UPDATES*
We shall also provide the training materials for SSA Data Management, Analysis and Reporting Training (SSA D-MART) as soon as they are put in the right format for sharing.
Greetings please, it is good ideas and important discussions about El Nino and Seed Aid. Despite of El Nino phenomenon occurs every 5-7 years, its effects on agro environment in this millennium is a big concern. Farmers’ experience and expectation for crop yield this year 2015 is horrible due to terrible sun burn effects. Many farmers in South Sudan complained of their crops have been burnt particularly in areas of Boma, Kapoeta, and Ikwoto along borders with Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. This terrible phenomenon will imposes higher risks of hunger especially among the rural poor smallholder farmers who
Considering that the probability of El Nino is about 90%, and that many have prepared or are preparing to support farming population (See Simon Communication Below) in a number of ways;
1. Do you think it is appropriate to provide seed as a way of preparedness response? Why?
Its not appropriate to provide seed aid at this particular moment as there is a very high chance that the seeds will be destroyed by the El Nino. Based on this it is best to provide the seed aid after seeing the impact of the El Nino
The El Nino will alter the seed system in the country as the crops in the field as of now will be destroyed and the those little the farmers store will be consumed as a result of no or little harvest
Dear Joseph i think the best way to provide seeds is to wait ELNinoimpact and seeds can provide after the heavy rains and floods who can destroy and wash the germination of seeds. only areas we are expecting less flooding or less rains of ELNino will be distributed seeds to farmers.
Dear all, Thanks Joseph and the team for your insights, they are well taken and so far no seed has been distributed through the program due to the said risks, The counties are requesting for the seed as well as putting in plans to procure seed for farmers.
Best regards
Mary W. Karanja, KILIMO House P.O. Box 30028 - 00100 Cathedral Road, Nairobi Cell Phone: +254 722 254 986
Dear all Seeds should only be procured as recovery measure after Elnino comes; and a proper assessment is done Hammerton Welthungerhilfe / GAA Agric F Officer Hola Tana County On Oct 5, 2015 11:41 AM, "mary karanja" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear all, > Thanks Joseph and the team for your insights, > they are well taken and so far no seed has been distributed through the > program due to the said risks, > The counties are requesting for the seed as well as putting in plans to > procure seed for farmers. > > Best regards > > >
Dear Good team, It is not all doom with ElNino. In a big way, it is a blessing in ASALs areas where seed relief is a common occurrence. Again, all this depends on the duration of the Elnino. Assuming the coming Elnino will be a moderate as predicted by meteorological department, I believe this would be a blessing in ASAls. We are likely to experience enhanced crop production. Of concern will be post harvest losses, should the rains go beyond January/February 2016. Coming back to seed aid, I think if a need is established through proper assessment, this is the
This is to bring to your attention that FAO is organizing a three-day Regional SSA Data Management, Analysis and Report training (D-MART) from 22nd to 24th September 2015. The training will take place in Kenya. Due to limited resources, FAO has taken to support only 12 participants in the region (Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia). However, we would still take additional 8-10 participants on the basis that their organizations will fully fund their travels and stay during the training. Given the limited vacancy space, we would give priority to those
It is up-surd that wrong targeting of famers with development and humanitarian seed aid is taking place around us. This is what is happening in Uganda now http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gulu-farmers-shun-cassava-stem-cuttings/-/688334/2768302/-/otb1btz/-/index.html
Dear Joseph, I agree that we need seed aid under emergency and recovery situations to help communities recover and built resilient. What appears to be critical and which need further consideration by seed suppliers is systematic seed supply chain with proper checking for (quality control).
Ø Analysis in the below website indicates that local authorities might have supplied cassava seed without grassroots farmer consultation to 'access preference and choice', this explains why 40 bags of cassava seeds were picked by only 31 farmers leaving majority of cassava seed wasted.
From: Tom Remington [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 2:28 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: Farmers becomming smarter on seed aid
100,000 MT of maize seed and 80,000 MT of bean seed? Tom Remington
Dear Joseph To improve on this further, I would recommend that there is need to enlightenment Formers before any seed supply by all stakeholders in the seed system. *‘Seed suppliers/organizations should not assume that local farmers dose not understood seed industry and Local Farmers are the excellent technocrats and innovators in the seed industry there is need to give chance to Local Formers* *Hellen’*
Dear Joseph We don't need this aids based on the following reasons:
* The National Agricultural Advisory Services program did not carry out needs assessment of suitability for crop preference by those farmers in Gulu that was why 40 bags were collected less than 90 bags because of no interest in cassava stem cuttings
Its important to understand the affected population or intended beneficiary well before undertaking such initiative of seed procurement. A rapid seed security assessment will not cost much but its results will impact on policy and decisions being made during a response or recovery. If the affected population or intended beneficiaries were involved in selecting seed variety, the fear that was being raised by farmers would not have appeared at this time. The farmers would have mobilized themselves to collect the planting material rather than using local leaders to mobilize.
Dear Joseph Ugandan farmers still need seed aid but what needs to be done is the main source of agricultural livelihood for the targeted community needs to be well understood, the right season of the crop be considered and intensive extension service be done.
Best regards
On Tue, Jun 30, 2015 at 10:46 AM, Simon Mbuki <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear Joseph and Cop members !In this situation there is need to get it right. Note the suitable vatieties required in the area and the targeted beneficiaries and this can be achieved through SAA survey. Sent from my LG Mobile Acile Rogers <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Dear Joseph >Ugandan farmers still need seed aid but what needs to be done is the main >source of agricultural livelihood for the targeted community needs to be >well understood, the right season of the crop be considered and intensive >extension service be done. > >Best regards > >On Tue, Jun 30, 2015 at 10:46 AM,
Dear Joseph, The Arid and semi arid areas will always need support due to the frequent droughts which some times wipe out all the seed/planting materials, farmers' small livestock and other forms of saving proceeds are exhausted. When this is done, targeting has to be very clear. For ownership it is advised that farmers contribute to seed availability by retrieving back some of the seed after harvest to beneficiaries identified by the benefiting groups. This not only makes the seed available but also create ownership as the seed technology is being disseminated. The traditional high value crops is based on
Dear Joseph Regards to all. It's not encouraging to give seed aid just to make organisational goals achieved. Seed aid can be given to an area declared to have been affected by disaster. (specifically to address food security). In a case of boosting commercial production, subsidised rates should apply and these should be certified improved Seeds given after adequate training, followed by technical advisory field visits. Currently we run one week residential farmer training sessions, beginning with mindset change and farming as a business, then the farmers selected enterprises. Farmers have surely understood the need to acquire their own seeds
Dear Joseph skidI plese prepar big conference talks horn of africa seed qulaity because the last fI've yeares horn of afrIcan havent seed security thanks
It is unfortunate that in the horn of Africa, some government don't care about the fate of famers by delivering poor quality seed. This is currently happening in my country (Ugandan) and I feel sorry for the poor famers - read more at http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nebbi-leaders-reject-10-tonnes-of-beans/-/688334/2715662/-/i0f9tez/-/index.html
Thank you for alerting on poor seeds from Uganda we shall have percussion on this
Regards Henry
From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 11:18 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Poor Quality Seeds being Distriibuted in Uganda
Dear Joseph! Thanks for enlightening us on the poor seeds.Its important that there is always though inspection on the material derivered to farmers. Sent from my LG Mobile "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Dear all, > >It is unfortunate that in the horn of Africa, some government don't care about the fate of famers by delivering poor quality seed. This is currently happening in my country (Ugandan) and I feel sorry for the poor famers - read more at http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nebbi-leaders-reject-10-tonnes-of-beans/-/688334/2715662/-/i0f9tez/-/index.html > > >We must all rise up to fight this vice. > >Regards, > >Joseph Okidi > >######################################################################## > >To
Dear Joseph. In Uganda that is expected because there is rampant inappropriate use of chemicals by farmers especially herbicides. I have witnessed farmers using herbicides to shorten the maturity period of beans. The beans are sprayed with herbicides before they reach to maturity, this quickens the drying and post -harvesting(threshing) processes. All these things are done this way because the farmers need to maximize profits during scarcity of beans in the market. Normally the beans handled in this way are wrinkled, small and have low germination rate and there is also high chance that these farmers also supply the seed
It is good that KSC is taking some actions and it fits well within our SSA recommendations. I hope other seed companies regions will rise up to challenge and address them.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Mwanga, Daniel (FAOKE) Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 10:54 PM To: 'The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa' Cc: Colussi, Alessio (FAOKE) Subject: RE: Poor Quality Seeds being Distriibuted in Uganda
I trust all is well with you, The Ugandan scenario is common in the Horn of Africa especially in countries where Seed Aid is a major source of seeds and it is indeed a vice that require consolidated effort to eliminate. I trust, this forum is capable of influencing or even leading the fight using SSA as an entry point. Thanks to Joseph for sharing with us what happened in Nebi, I would be grateful to know how similar situations have been addressed in other locations.
Hi all. Rejection of the 10 Mt "seed" consignment is one step in the right direction. A little more should be done e.g - has it been confiscated for destruction ? Any efforts to fast track performance of the company , Any seed inspectorate services in UG to deter future occurrence ? Kiseve Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android From:"Erick Wanyonyi" <[log in to unmask]> Date:Fri, 15 May, 2015 at 2:49 PM Subject:Re: Poor Quality Seeds being Distriibuted in Uganda Dear Joseph, Well done for pointing these out in this forum. Its high time the relevant authorities moved with speed to
Your idea of confiscating and destroying such consignment in the eyes of public would serve as deterrent to the others who would like to cheat the famers of their livelihood input. It was good the officials in Nebbi did not only relied on the official lab results. Some of the so call seed company in the region are very smart in paper work and if you rely on this 100% then you miss the quality the famers deserve.
Dear Joseph Thank you for sharing for us what has happened in Ugandha mostly sometimes occurs in Africa. It is better to make Test Seed Germination, I have done many times every time when we are going to distribute Seeds it is must to test, and otherwise you will encounter constraints/challenges to miss the quality control of seeds and became un- trustful Agency.
I feel blessed to be part of the team, and a spirit of belonging. I was part of the SSA team in Uganda - West Nile region. I learnt a lot of things during the assessment,
1- 98% of my communities in west Nile are small scale farmers.( most of their minds is set around quarters not acres) 2 - Their main purpose is to grow crops for food not for sale. Selling is a by the way. 3 - They have small land for cultivation. Especially in Terego county. 4 - 90% have never accessed seed aid and they
You are most welcome to our SSA CoP, and thanks for sharing with us you views on the usefulness of SSA, even at personal level. We hope to hear more from you in the near future.
I wish you well in your cassava project.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Gloria Drajiru Adrole [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 4:59 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: WORD OF APPRECIATION
Dear Joseph Okidi i have received your Latter About SSA Of Horn of Africa After thanks our Organisation COSDA Will Send you As soon as Possible our Suggesation .Best regards Yakub Ali Hassan COSDA Program Manager [log in to unmask] +252615535176
FAO through the EHO funded capacity building project (OSRO/GLO/303/EC) developed a number of SSA tools, training materials and supported SSA training and field work in South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia Ethiopia and Uganda in the horn of Africa
1. Who has ever used the SSA tools and training materials independently without my support? And how useful have these tools and training materials been to your organization in designing or improving your seed security/food security program?
In our case the tools have been extremely useful and after adaptation of their content to the Somalia's context is has helped us to ensure that we have a comprehensive assessment. Thanks a lot!
Best regards,
Laura Cortada-González, PhD Head of Innovation and Learning Unit Agriculture Sector FAO SOMALIA Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Tel Somali: +252 634837916 Tel Kenya: +254 204 000 000- ext 231/ +254 701029016 Tel Spain: +34 651104016 Skype: Cortada.FAOSOM URL: http://www.fao.org/somalia/en/
Your feedback well received. Wish you all the best with your new organization (WV).
Regards,
Joseph
From: koiti betty [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, April 10, 2015 4:19 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: SSA - FEEDBACK ON USE OF MATERIALS, TOOLS AND REPORTS
Dear Joseph, My gratitude to all after long not responded to earlier discussions but following up with the discussion.Am currently working for World Vision South Sudan Juba Rajap county (Development sector) food security and livelihood.. I had access to the FAO's SSA TOOLS and TRAINING
From: Joseph, Lita (FAOSS) Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2015 11:58 AM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: RE: SSA - FEEDBACK ON USE OF MATERIALS, TOOLS AND REPORTS
Dear Joseph,
Many thanks to you, FAO and the partner (ECO) for the Seed Security Assessment tools and training materials developed and Seed Security Assessment trainings offered through the capacity building project (OSRO/GLO/303/EC). This has not only built a cadre of SSA experts in South Sudan but also improved the design of seed interventions particularly
· Feedback: Thanks for the feedback on integration our SSA tools into your PHA tools. Would it be possible to share with us the adapted tools and the result/report of the PHA?
· CoP Subscriptions: We have both old and new ones, but members have the liberty to un-subscribe or re-subscribe.
Ever since, I was introduced to SSA Courtesy of FAO, my livelihood programming especially in the areas of Food Security has changed. I have used the principles of SSA to inform seed Intervention in my organization and in several Food Security Projects, we are now moving to inclusion of SSA in the baseline surveys. The reports and discussion on CoP have been of much help to me in my work. I hope to participate in one of the Field application of SSA since I haven't done so since we left the ToTs training
Dear Joseph, Am quite grateful as the SSA exposure added to a better understanding of seed security assessment modalities. Unquestionably, it will contribute to our subsequent programing in areas of seed/food security as well as developing the agricultural inputs markets in the country and beyond. I do look forward to a sustained interaction.
Please find attached the summary of our last discussions. Others can be located at http://www.fao.org/in-action/food-security-capacity-building/project-components/seeds/strengthening-the-ssa-network/en/
Thanks for bringing up post conflict situation in Kenya in relation to seed intervention. I partly agree with you, however, note that the input (seed) trade fairs/vouchers works well when the market in post conflict is functional. I believe in countries such as South Sudan, with almost no functional formal sector, in some locations conflicts disable the functionality of the market. In such cases, careful decisison need to be made and this could only be done when a proper seed security assessment is done.
Thanks for potting this interesting write up on the PROPOSED CHANGES TO SEED POLICY. I am interested to know who is behind this proposed seed policy changes in Africa? What I know about plant Variety Protection (PVP) laws is basically to protect the rights of plant breeders within the formal seed sector and I don't think it gas significant impact on the informal seed sector. We might only need to advocate for the protection of indigenous varieties. Sometimes it is the forces of demand and supply that add or remove a variety from circulation. Germplasm collection and preservation
Regarding the discussion on seed policy. National seed policy should be developed with all the seed sector stakeholder the government, private sector and farmers so there is a shared vision of the seed sector both formal and informal. These are national policy and national decisions. As Joseph says, PVP is to provide IPR protection to those that spend the time and money to develop new varieties. IPR protection is not so much against farmer saving and trading but against other seed companies taking (stealing) the new variety and eventually selling it on the market. An example is Kenya that has
Dear all.I think direct seed distributionis inevitable but the system can be minimized by encouraging farmers to savetheir own seeds. In conflict situations, farmers’ seed saving systems can bedisorganized and they may need to be supported with DSD. Secondly, whenintroducing new cultivars you would need to the same. But all these have to bepreceded with assessments so that farmers’ interests are taken into account.Many organizations rush to procurement of seeds without doing assessments andthese results to introduction of alien seeds that are either rejected by thefarmers in preference to the common ones or not planted especially when blanketseed distribution is
I beg to inform all that conflict that lead to displacement and disruption of farmers seed systems may not necessary lead to DSD, if local and formal seed system are functional. During post election violence in Kenya in 2007/2008 thousands of farmers were displaced. During recovery period, FAO partnered with WFP and Government of Kenya in provision of immediate food support (WFP) and seeds (FAO). The seeds were not distributed through DSD, but through seed vouchers and fairs. The private agro-input dealers and seed companies were involved in seed fairs with great success. The farmers were able to
BIG QESTION: One of the main recommendations of the Kenya SSA is that Government (THVCs program), FAO and NGOs should limit or completely stop Direct Seed Distribution (DSD) in the South Eastern Livelihood Zone of Kenya. Do you agree with this recommendation, why?
Regards,
Joseph
From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 11:47 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: New Year Greetings
I wish to express my contribution to the SSA in the horn of Africa. At the moment from the lessons learnt in the Kenya Seed Assessment,There is need for organisation to continue carrying out this kind of SSA and share the findings with both the county and National Governing for purpose of planning and supporting the farmers.
Dear Joseph I feel that before we completely cut the distribution of seed to farmers, a thorough assessment has to be carried out to establish the resilience of those farmers towards seed security. if they are not resilient, bulking sites should be encouraged so that farmers produce their own seed which is more sustainable. we have practiced these with a number of groups we are working with and it has proved to be working quite well. lets help farmers multiply their own seed. Anthony KhisahCrops Officer Farming Systems Kenya - Nakuru
I think we need to confirm that seed distribution is not entirely discouraged in this conversation, rather direct seed distribution. From my experience, direct seed distribution (DSD)is expensive in terms of logistics involved including transportation, offloading and loading, personnel involved in distribution, among others. DSD is also tedious due to protracted procurement process and long chain involved in the delivery. As a result, in most cases the seeds are received by beneficiaries late. It is also prone to corruption and misuse especially where it is handled by dishonest personnel along the chain. DSD does not take into account
Needs assessment is a systematic process for determining and addressing needs, or "gaps" between current conditions and desired conditions or "wants". The discrepancy between the current condition and wanted condition must be measured to appropriately identify the need. The need can be a desire to improve current performance or to correct a deficiency. A needs assessment is an important part of the planning process, often used for improvement in individuals, education/training, organizations, or communities. It can refine and improve a product such as training or service a client receives. It can be an effective tool to clarify problems and identify
Thanks for elaborating your experience with the Direct Seed Distribution (DSD). This, in most cases, should apply to a situation where there is no seed within close proximity to the farming households.
From the SSA findings it was crystal clear that the problem is not un availability of seed within the area but rather access problem. From the farmers, the message is very clear; major reasons are high seed prices (31.8%), low income (25%) and crop failure (see fig. below). Although crop failure due to unpredictable rainfall (Drought) is sited one of the reasons for being seed insecure,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Mwingi, Kenya
Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] | Cell: +254723359942 / +254 733123256
cid:image001.png@01CF48D5.BF72CF00 for a world without hunger
From: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 9:48 AM To: Mwanga, Daniel (FAOKE); 'Anthony Khisa'; [log in to unmask] Subject: RE: KENYA SSA Recommendations
Thanks for sharing with us the information about SSA training plan. Could you provide us with tentative dates for this training? Are you foreseeing actual assessment being conducted immediately after the training?
Regards,
Joseph
From: Arem, Alier [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2015 4:53 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: RE: New Year Greetings
From: Arem, Alier [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 8:38 AM To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE); The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: RE: CRS South Sudan Planning to Conduct SSA in Jonglei State
Thanks Okidi, we are yet to pick up the date after necessary arrangements, actual field work assessment will be done once the training is finalized. Regards, Arem
Warm greeting from Rumbek south Sudan, What is the plan for Lakes State on the seeds security, ACROSS is organizing seeds recollection with FAO South Sudan for redistribution, Is there some trainings plans like last year?
Kind regards. James Madit.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2015 at 9:20 AM, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask] > wrote:
SHADO Somalia Food Security Organization seeds policy” there are various types of legal and policy initiatives that directly affect what kind of seeds small scale farmers can use. We focus on two: intellectual property laws, which grant state-sanctioned monopolies to plant breeders (at the expense of farmers’ rights), and seed marketing laws, which regulate trade in seeds (often making it illegal to exchange or market farmers’ seeds)
Dear Okidi Joseph thank you so much for the Update on Co-P Activity on SSSA in Uganda,Kenya,Malawi , the invormation Verey Important on we will be share Useful information About SSSA in Region thanks Yakub Ali Hassan COSDA Program manager
Many thanks for sharing with us the update from FAO Somalia. We hope to get your wide experience shared with the CoP.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Cortada, Laura (FAOSO) Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 2:36 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: RE: New Year Greetings
I send my sincere gratitude and greetings to all who managed to get to the New Year -2015. It has been a while without any discussion in our community of practice on seed security issues around the horn of Africa (HoA). I know end (2014) and beginning of 2015 had their tolls on our workload, but I believe we all got through.
Dear Okidi Joseph happy New year thank you for sending the seed security Assessment update of Kenya ,Malawi, and uganda there is great need to carry such assessment in South Sudan areas like Great Equatoria the livelihood zone in those areas will be like other parts of Neighboring sister Countries. best regard Hellen
On Fri, Feb 6, 2015 at 12:47 AM, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask] > wrote:
Thanks a lot for keeping us poste on the activities that are taking place around the SSSA CoP;
Let me also take this opportunity to inform to the CoP group that the SSSA exercise is also going on in Somalia and we will be able to send missions to collect data to South Central area very soon. Hopefully in the next few months we will be able to share this valuable and useful information with all of you.
Thanks so much for the update on CoP activity on SSSA in Kenya. The information is very informative and in most areas confirmed observations made in our vists to the field.
Best Regards,
Mary
On Friday, February 6, 2015, Cortada, Laura (FAOSO) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Joseph, > > > > Thanks a lot for keeping us poste on the activities that are taking place > around the SSSA CoP; > > > > Let me also take this opportunity to inform to the CoP group that the SSSA > exercise is also going on
Thanks so much for the update on CoP activity on SSSA in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda. The information is very important and we will be able to share this valuable and useful information with all of you.
Best Regards
On Fri, Feb 6, 2015 at 11:47 AM, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask] > wrote:
Thanks for your updates on SSA across Africa especially Kenya and Uganda whom South Sudan shares common international borders. Farming communities in South Sudanese may be very interested to know more of the seeds cultivated in those areas. As for the coming cropping season in year 2015, farmers will expect improvement compared to year 2014 where most farmers complained of heavy rainfall and land slides washed most crop farm in Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan particularily at Ikwoto county bordering with Uganda then in Kapoeta and Budi county bordering both Kenya they complained both drought and heavy
Dear Joseph, Thank you for this informative report and the colleagues for these scientific inputs and analysis of the seed system . On behalf of Catholic Relief Services,( CRS) South Sudan and especially the Jonglei Food Security Program(JFSP), a USAID founded program on Food Security in Jonglei state that is being implemented by CRS, plans are underway to firstly conduct the State-Level Seed Security Assessment Training. This training will target and converge the local indigenous farmers, Agriculture extension staff, staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, CRS as well as partner staff.
Thank You for sharing the findings of the assessment. Unfortunately, I was not able to participate due to other engagements.The summary is quite detailed. I hope to participate in one of the assessment soon. On the recommendation ''there is no justification for continuous seed distribution being undertaken by the government and development partner''. This will require implementation of the way forward (which are very good) provided and again which requires a lot of technical advocacy to ensure smooth transition.
The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa
Please, I am glad that you have taken up this important and seed challenging topic on-line discussion. It is good that I am just a day old, from a recent field post distribution monitoring conducted on groundnut seeds distributed this year by ICRC at outreach villages in South Sudan. One of the responses got on the groundnut variety was “the seeds were viable but shrivelled not sorted out and after germination plant vigor raises eye brows by most farmers because some groundnut plants show weaker performance on
Minor correction in the title : Unsuitable Crop varieties but Not crop parieties.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 10:44 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Dear All,
A lot of humanitarian and recovery work in food security in the Horn of Africa region involves provision of seed aid with significant direct seed distribution of seed sourced from the formal sector (seed companies). There have been concerns from some of the assisted famers in the
Jonglei State of the Republic of South Sudan is actually the bottom of the Nile Basin, this means it is floods prone mostly and the local crops seeds therefore are floods resistant, however, sorghum is the staple food crop grown all over the State, other crops come in a secondary stage. In this juncture, the seeds imported and distributed by humanitarian organizations are tried several times by the local farming communities but got no impact as to the adaptability and acclimatizing to the new environment from the origin of the seed, secondly, the imported seeds might have been doing well
Horn of Africa Relief & Development Agency(HARDA )
Wed, 6 Aug 2014 12:32:31 +0300
Dear Joseph and other Colleague,
Thanks for this opportunity to share our ideas, bellow are my suggestion
1-Do you agree that at times unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of seed aid? What is your experience with this? And do you think this can be improved?
-Yes, I agree sometimes unsuitable varieties are been provided and low quality seeds, we have met this matter in 2012 Gu' season. we suggest that to initiate a program aimed at quality seed production by LNGOs in their respective areas and the experiment carried out in selected farms. The seeds produced in
I absolutely agree with you on distribution of improved sorghum varieties in South Sudan. The coutry is reach in sorghum biodiversity that if you don't calculate your introduction of sorghum very well, it may not creat any impact as you have said. I personally was shocked this year when FAO carried a seed security assessment in BELG state. I did not come across any improved varieties distributed in the area as one of Major varieties. Having worked in South Sudan for about six years, I got a bit depressed by the finding. To me the starting point for
Dear Atem, I appreciate your inputs in the debate here which I hope is based on the practical experimental research with Jonglei Farmers and having known your personality as the 'Technical Lead' in Jonglei State Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to your input, I hope the ministry is one of the architect and possibly one of those stakeholders that can take a lead role in promoting the improvement of local seed varieties through appropriate extension work, which I hope had been the ministry fundamental issue of concern, promote effective Monitoring and Inspection, registration and certification of seed suppliers or call
Dear Joseph Okidi and the colleagues in this discussion,
We are appreciated in participating into this online seed assessment and discussion.
We are Somalia based NGO working with FAO and other donors in Agriculture and livelihood interventions and we have distributed various seeds to both riverine and rain-fed (agro pastoralist) in Somalia.
In our observations and the interventions we have taken part, we are afraid that the local community/farmers who were the end beneficial have not been consulted the following issues.
Integrated youth and Relief development association
Thu, 7 Aug 2014 01:18:49 -0700
Dear okadi
Thanks for your questions, and I extremely happy to have discussion with my colleague. Integrated youth and relief development association IYRDA runs operations in south-central Somalia. Below I have written answers
1- I do agree that unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of seed, agencies involve contribution seeds do not analyze needs of farmers and don’t give suitable varieties time in need. I don’t have more experience but I observed many meetings that community farmers complain about poor seeds Obviously this can be improved to give adequate training to organizations involve contribution seeds to obtain solution
Dear Joseph Okidi and the colleagues in this discussion,
We are appreciated in participating into this online seed assessment and discussion.
We are Somalia based NGO working with FAO and other donors in Agriculture and livelihood interventions and we have distributed various seeds to both riverine and rain-fed (agro pastoralist) in Somalia.
In our observations and the interventions we have taken part, we are afraid that the local community/farmers who were the end beneficial have not been consulted the following issues.
Agriculture belonged to the local indigenous community way back before the green revolution; the indigenous people were food/fruits gatherers. They could throw the reminants in the surrounding where they live and because of their observable skills on the seeds types growing, they practiced what we refer to as selection criteria based on; type, colour, Purity and uniformity for over time resulting in to the diverse pure seeds varieties of farmers in the farmers’ seed system. However the onset of the green revolution due to the need to produce more food
However, while I think it’s important to discuss some of the social consequences of crop parities being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region plants, I wouldn’t completely these seed programs. As a home gardener I save lots of seeds and use mostly tradition seeds. However, South and central Somalia over the past few years I’ve started using a few seeds when I’m intent on production or certain disease issues. Yes, I do lose my ability to save seed. But it’s a trade off that I decide is worth it on
Dear Okidi thank you, for the seed concern, you have right to ask the ideas of the people and the Agencies who were involve in seed aid Distributions in all over African countries, especially South Sudan, since the Agencies was started Distribution of improve seeds that brought from East Africa countries since 1996 up to date. and same seed were good in climate condition zoo. the only problem of the Agencies who are working here in South Sudan the don,t study the seasonal climate here in South Sudan the Distributed seed on the time they want. the don,t ask which
Thank you very much for moderating this e-forum discussion, for sharing valuable experiences, and exchanging ideas on the way forward for seed aid/seed system security in the HoA.
I concur with suggestions that have been made regarding the need for seed system mapping, seed system security assessments, implementation of regulatory mechanisms, and testing for local adaptation of introduced crop varieties.
From: Dr Abdullahi Idow (WOCCA) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:38 PM To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Subject: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Dear Joseph
I have just replied Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region, I don't know whether you received my conversation/discussion or not but replying me this form:
Dear Joseph, Thanks for this educative and interactive online discussion on seed security systems,
in my opinion i think For the last 20 years, farmers in the Horn of Africa relied on free donations of seeds from seed Aid NGOs without consulting them. These seeds were often of poor quality and the seeds directly introduced to the farming community without prior testing. This has brought many problems including pests, diseases and unsuitable varieties hence we need prior testing and consultation of the affected population before giving those seeds if we want to achieve a sustainable agriculture in the Horn of
From the discussion we have had since last week, it seems many discussants agree that little is done as far as involving the target population in deciding their destiny. It's high time we strategies on how we can contribute sustainably. It is true that in many countries in the horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya.........) seed aid (free donation) has been going on for over decades. We need to put our heads together and start thinking critically. We need to be more accountable to the affected population.
From our experience,the seed interventions in Somalia are entirely aimed at reaching people who are very much vulnerable in both rainfed and riverine areas and despite they may not be subject matter specialists they have vast knowledge on what type of varieties to grow however they are not given the opportunity to participate the type of seeds and varieties they need besides this it repeatedly occurred that seeds have been distributed later after the target beneficiaries have planted their farm plots.Meanwhile,the procurement of the seeds is not open and repeatedly granted to certain companies who claim to be
Dear All, We Action for Women and Child Concern(AWCC)Somalia have seen the problem of seeds distributed to small holder farmers as seeds aid and mostly ending up spoiled or leading further losses so unless a coordinated efforts to prevent such mistakes are there, this practice will continue unabbetted.
Dear Freinds All who Attanded unsuitble crop from FAO UN Program i am Verey Glad to sending you my Massege and greeting you Best regards Yakub Ali Hassan COSDA Program manager [log in to unmask] Telphone +252615535176/ +254722217728
1. Yes, I do. actually, in Somalia unsuitable varieties of seeds are provided in form of aid which is very popular because the local farmers are not consulted on how seeds should be distributed. Farmers are more knowledgeable than some seed aid distributors. ADRO recommends that farmers should be included in the processes of seeds aid provisions. ADRO organization has witnessed these cases in South and Central Somalia. And to improve, ADRO advise that seeds aid distributions should be participatory process where all stakeholders have to share all he related information of seeds aid provisions. 2. No, I do not
Dear Joseph, Community settlement & Development Action (COSDA) working in Gedo region. we are directly engaged with issues of seed quality or seed security & how to seed quality to the farmers of Gedo region 1.Donor organization are to make seed test germination . good seed gives good food . good food help the people. 2.Buy from the guarantee company seeds 3. stop seed buying in Somalia 4. confirm certified company seal sticker 5. keep on checking what farmers normally plant 6. Soil survey Yakub Ali COSDA Programme Manager [log in to unmask] 252615535176/254722217728
A lot of humanitarian and recovery work in food security in the Horn of Africa region involves provision of seed aid with significant direct seed distribution of seed sourced from the formal sector (seed companies). There have been concerns from some of the assisted famers in the recent past that some of the varieties are unsuitable (un-adapted and un-preferred). Many times famer's seed are considered of poor quality by humanitarian actors, and therefore, the need to provide them with quality seeds of varieties which are improved - high yielding, disease resistant, drought tolerant etc.
Thanks Joseph for raising an important issue. You are right most of the agencies think farmer's seeds are of poor quality, which is not correct. One thing that we have to realize is the farmers are the best experts for their farm. They have been living for generations on the land and have wealth of accumulated knowledge. The great solution is not to start from scratch but it is to consult the farmers/target people. I have seen a cotton seed distributed, which can't germinate, wasting lots of money. I expect real professional to follow certain critical procedures. We have to
Thanks for your email. See below the answers of the questions.
On 7/31/14, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear All, > > > A lot of humanitarian and recovery work in food security in the Horn of > Africa region involves provision of seed aid with significant direct seed > distribution of seed sourced from the formal sector (seed companies). There > have been concerns from some of the assisted famers in the recent past that > some of the varieties are unsuitable (un-adapted and un-preferred). Many > times famer's seed are considered of poor quality
I am glad to be part of this discussion and share my view with the colleagues. My comments are in your mail below.
With kind regards,
Barnabas Reech Wol,
FSL Officer,
Oxfam,
Warrap & Western Bahr el Ghazal states
From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Sent: jueves, 31 de julio de 2014 10:44 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Many thanks,Joseph and the rest of the guys there.Indeed we Action for Women and Child Concern(AWCC) as grassroots organization we are directly engaged with the people and seed recipients and most of the time observe the suppliers provide the wronger seed to the NGOs and this is actually something which will continue unless grassroots groups are involved in the procurement process and meticulous research is conducted whether the seeds to be distributed are actually grain or seed. In our case,Lower Shabelle,Somalia we have every year seeds to be distributed as SOMTUX (a Somali variety)but mostly the inputs are not genuine
Yep, it is happen sometimes seeds with no quality being distributed to the farmers by some Ngos considering the low price they exchange and not caring the future outcome of the seeds.
We can stop such habit by providing the seeds to the Ngos instead of giving the money to purchase.
Regards, Aden
RELIEF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION ADEN SHILL SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER FATIMA ABDULLAHI WASH COORDINATOR EMAIL:[log in to unmask]
From: Arem, Alier [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 2:21 PM To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Cc: Paganini, Michela (AGPM) Subject: RE: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
1. I agree at some occassions that unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of ''seed aid'' to farmers.My experience is that preference on the ''Type and quality seed Variety supply chain/systems'' does not 'swallow-In' the views of farmer/beneficiaries''.Though there are some ground concerns that poor quality seeds attributed to soil type affecting germination, Inappropriate method of
I get your concern about adaptability of introduced (new) seed (variety) to a given location. On point number one, what is the name of the variety you brought in? which pest was it susceptible to? - may be other people from south Sudan also have similar experience with the same variety. You are suggesting that the improvement can be done using local varieties, how?
Integrated youth and Relief development association
Fri, 1 Aug 2014 01:08:53 -0700
dear okadi
it it our grateful to take part this discussion concern seeds. the progress of every thing depends on the first outset. if the seeds become poor quality, the assessment can be no progress and loosing the time of formers. i recommend that community people should be given adequate training to classify the crop seeds. even the local authority should monitor the seeds. some times formers are provided poor quality seed to irrigate their forms. formers and other agencies involve seeds should indicate the problems and tell organisations concern this. no one can understand what you want before you
Dear All Thanks for this opportunity to share our suggestions and experiences My answers are below the questions 1. Do you agree that at times unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of seed aid? What is your experience with this? And do you think this can be improved? I agree with that.In South Central Somalia where the seasons have become unpredictable the seeds that are mostly supplied are always of low quality which only work on specific seasons ,so when an interference seasons comes the seed is destroyed thus resulting to poor yields thus food insecurity.I
Yes unsuitable varieties are being provided to farmers in some cases. The reasons are many and I will mention a few based on my experience:
- In some humanitarian situation, time constraints force some agencies to prescribe seeds interventions without proper consultations with communities and relevant research institutions. There is need to allocate enough time to assessments on appropriateness of seed including soil testing
Simon Mbuki - Livelihoods Northern Region - World Vision Kenya Cell: 0724986518
From: "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Date: 07/31/2014 10:46 AM Subject: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region Sent by: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa <[log in to unmask]>
Dear all, Please find below some inputs gathered from our field program staff from Somalia and Kenya. Hope it helps, Regards, Quentin
Generally, the seed sector in the region is underdeveloped and cannot cope with the needs. This is very unfortunate especially with the knowledge that most of the countries' economies rely on Agriculture. Farmers have been left to find their own seeds and carry out farming their own way. This is a major contributor to food insecurity. Our agricultural research institutions are totally delinked from the institutions that train agricultural extension workers. Agricultural universities/faculties in universities have no resources/capacity
Thanks for raising the discussion to another point. I wouldn't agree with you that Universities in Africa do not have the capacities to produce technologies. However, I totally agree with you when you say there is weak linkage between Research and Extension and this needs to be addressed. I would also like to agree with you on the need to support local seed production and market-based approach in improving access to seed desired/preferred by the farmers.
Yes unsuitable varieties are being provided to farmers in some cases. The reasons are many and I will mention a few based on my experience:
ü In some humanitarian situation, time constraints force some agencies to prescribe seeds interventions without proper consultations with communities and relevant research institutions. There is need to allocate enough time to assessments on appropriateness of seed including soil testing (these are projects with like 10 months projects)
Abstract SHADO organization Concerns have been raised by both implementing agencies and donors over the effectiveness of relief seed inputs and the sustainability of continued seed distributions in emergency situations. Based on a study undertaken in southern Somalia, this paper describes the impacts of insecurity, shocks and stresses on agriculture, and examines whether relief seed distributions are the most appropriate way of providing assistance to farmers affected by disaster. The paper shows that by developing a better understanding of the ways in which local seed systems function it is possible to identify how these local systems can be supported and
Seed insecurity is independent of an acute stress or disaster, although it may be exacerbated by it. Chronic seed insecurity may be found among populations that have been marginalized in different ways: • economically/socially (poverty, little land, little labour) • ecologically (repeated drought, degraded land) • politically (insecure areas, on land with uncertain tenure) Seed-insecure populations may be characterized by (1) continual shortage of adequate seed to plant, (2) difficulties in acquiring off-farm seed because of poverty, or (3) the utilization of low-quality seed and poorly-adapted varieties on a routine basis. The result is households with a built-in vulnerability to
Dear Administrator As we are Afgoye Alifow Women Development Organization (AAWDO) is one of the local Somali NGOs legally registered and serving to the Lower Shabelle region population particularly for the women grassroots who are farmers and their children as well as to eradicate the poverty which is the most thing/issue that can cause to the people to displace from their territory and also develop their children with the basic education as to become empowered. We have also various experiences that AAWDO is engaged in currently in Benadir region such as Institutional Feeding project supported by UNWFP and Community Enhancement
We Action for Women and Child Concern(AWCC)Somalia are legally registered not for profit nongovernmental organization of grassroots people in Lower Shabelle initiative working to eradicate poverty,illiteracy and inequalities and empower women and children to reach their full potential.We have diverse experience in different issues that we are engaged and we are very much pleased that we have been added in CoP-Seed Security.Thanks for all the members and let us commit to be agents for change in the best interest of our people and beneficiaries.
A few weeks ago we had interesting e-discussion on meta-analysis and related topics. You may want to have a quick look at the summary discussion and have some reflection on this before we send out new topics. Please use the link bellow to access the document.
ENGLISH http://www.fao.org/in-action/food-security-capacity-building/project-components/seeds/strengthening-the-ssa-network/en/
There was a similar discussion in the Sahel region. For Francophone speakers, please use the link bellow to access the discussion in France
We are pleased to announce the first e-discussion of the SSA Community of Practice (CoP) - Horn of Africa region: "A meta analysis of past and current seed security assessments in the region".
More than 30 seed security assessments (SSA) have been conducted since 2006 in emergency and rehabilitation contexts, and yet no evaluation of quality or impact have been undertaken to generate lesson learning. There is a general agreement about the need to conduct a thorough analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses and describe concrete impacts of the assessments.
Thanks for the documents. I am taking this opportunity to 'test' the listserv (I don't have much experience with these things). And also introduce myself to the community. My name is Tom Remington. I have a keen interest in seed security having worked for Catholic Relief Services for 19 years (10 years in Nairobi) prior to shifting to the International Potato Center (CIP) based in Lilongwe.
I am pleased to see the COP has officially started and I am happy to be part of this community. I have also read the report for Ethiopia and took a good lesson from what we have to do in both short and medium term. I just want to make emphasis on the need to work on drought tolerant and short maturing seed varieties as a major solution to climate change related disasters. Selection of proper seed types is one of the choices of climate change adaptation technique. Cheers!
You are receiving this email message due to your current or past involvement in activities or meetings related to Seed Security Assessments.
As you probably know, FAO has received funding from ECHO to build capacity in African eight countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Somalia and South-Sudan) for food and nutrition security programming in emergency and rehabilitation contexts on different aspects, including on seed security assessment (see more about the Project at http://www.fao.org/in-action/food-security-capacity-building/home/en/ ).
Dear Joseph, I am pleased to be part of this activity on seed systems assessment. Have been contributing to food security, mitigation to climate change and adaptation through the promotion of traditional high value crops programme previously known as 'orphan crops' of the ministry of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, state department of agriculture in distribution of these crops seeds. Through this program the drought tolerant crops, beans, green grams, cow peas, pigeon peas, dolichos, sorghum, millets, cassava and sweet potatoes are bulked by KARI on their farms and through identified seed bulking farmer groups. The seeds are distributed to resource
On Monday, February 23, 2015, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear All, > > > > As part of an ECHO funded project FAO has produced a discussion paper entitled “Household Seed Security Concepts and Indicators”. This 9 page paper introduces an expanded and revised Seed Security Conceptual Framework (SSCF) together with a set of suggested indicators to measure changes in seed security parameters. In the revised SSCF, there are five pillars of household seed security: > > · seed availability; > > · seed access; > > ·
As part of an ECHO funded project FAO has produced a discussion paper entitled "Household Seed Security Concepts and Indicators". This 9 page paper introduces an expanded and revised Seed Security Conceptual Framework (SSCF) together with a set of suggested indicators to measure changes in seed security parameters. In the revised SSCF, there are five pillars of household seed security:
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It good that you tried it out in Uganda and there both positive and negative part of the technology. I hope with time, and regular adjustment in the available technologies we shall be able to collect real time data.
Regards,
Joseph
From: winnaky agaba [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 11:21 AM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: Tablets in Seed Security Assessment- Somalia
The assessment was conducted by FAO Somalia, and selection of the partners was done by the same office. Much as you might have not participated in the assessment, I believe the report will be shared to all interested. Laura (here copied) is in charge of the process and promised to share the result with us.
The tablet referred here is for data collection (Smart phone - an electronic gadget) and not chemical for grain treatment (Phostoxin?)
Regards,
Joseph
From: Dr Abdullahi Idow (WOCCA) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 12:11 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: Tablets in Seed Security Assessment- Somalia
The FAO Somalia team selected the NGOs that were/are participating in the data collection process of the SSSA during 2014; it was a very intense and exhaustive process as this exercise included the expression of interest of many Somali NGOs on the ground that wanted to take part of it; the selection was done in conjunction with the Compliancy and the Procurement units of FAO Somalia as all the final organizations selected had to comply with some basic standards related to delivery, performance and, if possible, present a proven track record of work with FAO.
No field test on the use of tablets has yet been done. I hope you will give us your experience.
Regards,
Joseph
From: OMONDI ODOYO [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2015 1:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Tablets in Seed Security Assessment- Somalia
Team,
I plan to use tablets/smart phones in SSSA in Somalia. Has anybody ever done this elsewhere? Kindly share the experience.
This is well summarized. It provides us with some lessons on approach than can be replicated where in the region. I highly appreciate your contribution.
Cheers,
Joseph
From: Mary. K [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 6:47 PM To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Cc: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: Seed Security Assessment (SSA) - Community of Practice (CoP) Notification. - "ORPHAN CROPS IN KENYA"
Thanks your response. I like your idea of helping improve the seed (varieties) in our areas of operation. My question is, how should this be improved?
Regards,
Joseph
-----Original Message----- From: shukri shacni [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 2:05 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Push seeds of undeclared origin, genetics and quality into the fledgling agricultural sector of Somalia and make some money for and together with the corporate seed-cabal, which practically never can be held legally responsible. Even when straight death occurred, because uninformed Somali farmers ate pesticide-laced seeds due to hunger and were killed, no responsibility was ever accepted by the WFP, the UN or their suppliers and the families were never compensated.
I have been following the discussions keenly and have liked the brilliant Ideas and experiences being shared, thanks to Joseph for setting the stage.
South Sudan is one of the countries in the horn of Africa where there has been massive humanitarian and recovery work in food security involving provision of seed aid. Concerns have been raised by some assisted famers about varietal unsuitable (un-adapted and un-preferred), this is common with seeds sourced from the formal seed systems from neighboring countries. What has been said about varietal adoptability by the previous discussants are true; I would
I totally Agree with you that many humanitarian actors think famer's seed are of poor quality. Much as I agree the we need to follow certain critical procedure in checking quality (germination, purity, MC etc), many times the guys from the seed companies tend to be smart enough in duping us on quality. I have had some bad experience while working with FAO South Sudan. FAO Uses an international quality control agent, but I realized that if you totally rely on the paper work only you may easily be duped. Quality check done be done along supply chains
I can see a lot of very good discussions that has been going on since you formed the group! I will try to catch up with the various exchanges you have had so far. My experience from Gedo region, Somalia is that, there was some time we had thought that it is very important using the time tested, locally adopted seeds varieties from local farmers when doing seed based programming. This we believed will not only ensure we have seed varieties the communities believe in/trust but also the money injected into the local economy will improve the livelihood
Dear Joseph, It is so developmental for having brought in such topic for discussion as seeds are back borne for agricultural adventure. The little experience I have with some seed companies is non of them is ready to lose either a gram or kilo of seeds after the seeds have expired and they usually do the following to their clients/customers: 1-they change the packaging materials and re-brand as if they have been newly parked. 2-they avail their clients with viable seeds for any technical analysis such as germination test etc yet they supply 75% fake seeds and only 25% is
greetings from Juba , hoping that you are very fine.
I feel interesting to be a part of discussion, and I agreed with some of the colleagues and friends, and that is why some of humanitarian project like agriculture dose not succeed. there are three major things to be involve 1. every body/farmer need to learn a new variety most of humanitarian distribute seeds / variety with out giving farmers knowledge about its timing weather it is a quick variety of long term. 2. they don,t care about the type of soil, weather , climate and rainfall.
I totally agree with you on many of the points you have raised. The issue of adulterated seed is a common phenomenon in the horn of Africa. In Uganda, for example, recent report http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/counterfeit-fake-seeds-uganda-farmers-crop-failure showed that counterfeit "high yield seed' sold through the formal sector is making famers poorer and poorer. How can this vice be controlled?
Thanks for bringing the concern about GMO and Pesticide treated seed. You may want to correct me here, I am not sure whether World Food Program (WFP) is distributing GMO food in Somalia. To my understanding, it's normally FAO Emergency Unit that is involved in Distributing Seed and not WFP. To my understanding, use of GMO in a country is controlled by government, and FAO normally support government policy.
I would like to appreciate your contribution and sharing with us what the government of Kenya has been doing in trying to address drought problem and putting into consideration ‘orphan crops” of which some are normally not the preferred crops for multiplication by “big seed companies” in the region. Just to a little bit understand your approach;
This is to let you know that the Training materials for the SSA Data Management Analysis and Report Training (D-MART) course have been uploaded on the FAO website, as well as on dropbbox at the following web addresses;
Thanks for sharing your vision and for your queries. This is a joint exercise where several Somali NGOs and government and ministerial bodies are involved. FAO is facilitating the process and overseeing the whole of it. Our main objective is to collect reliable data while we create local capacity so this assessments will be done by the local partners and MOAs in the future before seed interventions will take place.
Thanks Laura for the mail and explanation. We acknowledge the great work FAO is doing in improving the food security around the world and Somalia in particular. Its interesting being very active in food security and livelihood intervention I am hearing the survey for the first time or this is not joint assessment but FAO only? I will inquire from our Local FAO office in Dolo. Otherwise awaiting the outcome of the survey.
I agree with you that in a conflict situation, such as what we are seeing in South Sudan, not only the famers seed saving system get disorganized but also the markets become dysfunctional in most cases. Under such circumstances, DSD may become inevitable. However, before we dive in for DSD a thorough seed security assessment need to be conducted to understand the situation. I would want to disagree with you that using DSD as an avenue for introducing NEW Variety may not be appropriate in term of adaptability and also being accountable to the affected population. We need
I agree with Joseph, that DSD is not the right way to introduce new varieties they don’t know. However if the SSA indicate that farmer are having problem with their varieties ie disease, growth cycle is too long etc and there are new varieties available to address the problem, it could be the opportunity to do some variety demonstration so farmers could see them. We would call this Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS). Based on the results of the demos there may be scope for spreading the new varieties more widely.
The argument by both Joseph and Thomas are quite valid and to the point. Varietal development, certification and recommendations in most countries especially developing countries like Kenya are for the wide geographical areas due to economies of scale. Differences among recommended geographical areas for specific variety production in term of varietal adaptability are common. Similarly, farmers’ preference are not taken on board in DSD in most cases. Wide scale distribution of seeds through DSD can be very disastrous to the food security that they are intended to address. I know of various circumstances, since 1996, in which distributed
Dear all, I strongly agree with Joseph etalthat DSD is not a better option for introduction of a NEW variety in a farmingsystem. I up-voted Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) Tom echoed as thebest option since it enhances accountability. However in emergency or severe foodand seed insecurity situations, I would opt for DSD as PVS may not provideimmediate solutions since it takes some time. I would do this when I have secondaryknowledge of the farming system of the targeted agro-ecological zone and alsovarietal attributes of the NEW variety. I think PVS may work well in stable andfairly organized seed systems, functional
Proposed changes to seed policy are over-simplified, unworkable solutions that will ultimately fail – though an elite group of farmers may enjoy some small short term benefits. As to seeds, all of the participating states agreed to adopt plant variety protection laws and rules for marketing seeds that better support the private sector. Despite the fact that more than 80% of all seed in Africa is still produced and disseminated through ‘informal’ seed systems (on-farm seed saving and unregulated distribution between farmers), there is no recognition in the New Alliance programme of the importance of farmer-based systems of saving, sharing,
In region, Formal seed sectors are not really functional, as there is no law enforcement to endeavours facilitating the farmers to get certified seeds, which can address the local farmers' needs, I do believe the support seeds sectors and availability is paramount important for the country local production. In Somaliland particularly agricultural regions, it is difficult to procure reliable seeds in the markets but rather to export from outsides. NRC experienced in Erigavo, Sanaag Region, to get a supplier who can provides seeds to only 200 small scale farms, (cash crop seeds)
Dear Joseph, Quality seed is a key input in improving production and productivity. Late rushed decisions on support through seed leads to poor targeting of seed suppliers, mostly get those who have stored seed for along time as they have poor reputation with farmers hence not much sales before the season or during the season. They have old stock in their stores.
I get your concern about seed from the formal sector -In some countries such as Kenya, formal sector, particularly for certain crops such as cereals (Maize) and vegetable is functional in some areas although marginalized areas are not well served by the sector -However, even within the seemingly function formal sector, there are problems of adulteration of seed and other input such as fertilizers. I totally agree with you that regulatory framework is quite weak in most countries. This need to be worked on, and the government need to be supported by all key stakeholders.
I agree, it is a collective responsibility in addressing the challenges that come with recurrent drought or prolong dry spell. Sometimes, we don’t know when exactly this will appear during the season.
On your suggestion, I am a bit concerned about the practicability of transplanting small seeded crops (millet & sorghum) in traditional set up of our rural famers. Whereas this possible on experimental basis, it might be a very trick approach to our a mall scale famers having 1-3 acres . And how scalable is this approach in order for us to create the desired impact? I
I agree with you that it is possible to have a revolving local seed system to support vulnerable and crisis affected population. I have seen such scheme with one of the Local NGO called Women and Training Association Promotion (WOTAP) in South Sudan. What they normally do is to have a local seed committee within the community to identify who to be supported, get involved in ensuring the right people get supported, monitor their production activities to ensure that they recover the seed (no money is involved) – it is part of the local system where seed production
Your circulating ideas about seeds, seeds preservation and propagation is attracting the attention of so many scholars these days specially in South Sudan, but the idea had to be taken over by these scholars not only as ideas and academic analysis or research results and outputs, however, an interest could be cultivated to turn this matter of seeds as a business and privatize the business of research and thus turn agriculture to a business in the newly independent nation like South Sudan. This country is rich in terms of undiscovered local varieties of sorghum seeds that are palatable to the
Indeed such collective efforts are the best way in addressing challenges facing crop production in the region. As stated, shortage of water is the most serious physical constraint on production in semi-arid areas. Considering cereal transplanting to efficiently utilize the short or the declining rains could be an area to explore in the cycle of thinking for a possible action.
-----Original Message----- From: Integrated youth and Relief development association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:57 PM To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Subject: RE: FW: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region - FAMERS PARTICIPATION IN IDENTIFYING SEED NEED REQUIRED
Dear okadi
Thanks for your questions, and I extremely happy to have discussion with my colleague. Integrated youth and relief development association IYRDA runs operations in south-central Somalia. Below I have written answers
I totally agree with you that Famers and the target population need to be involved in identifying their real seed need. We in the humanitarian should as take responsibility when we provide seed late in the season - we are equally accountable to the affected population as we do to our donors.
I believe it should be noted that input provision such as improved seed alone does not guarantee seed security at large. Provision of improved seeds must be accompanied with full extension packages. Formal training or orientation before distributions on the agronomic practices and related information should be delivered to the targeted beneficiaries to maximize the impacts and avoid unwanted impacts as a consequence of our intervention. It is also a matter of forward accountability issues which we all should equally bother about rather than on the deliverables.
I totally agree with you that in most cases, with all the good intention we have, we don't provide package of information about the verities of seed we distribute to the affected population. A month ago I met a famer in South Sudan who was provided with an improved groundnut variety (Serenity IV) . Much as he appreciated the high yield nature of the variety, he was at a lost when it comes to harvest period - he noticed that by the time the leaves turn brownish, like other local variety he knows, the variety is already germinating
Dear Joseph Okidi Thank you for involving me in this programm of seed security Yes I agree with you at times unsuitable seed varieties being provided to formers in form of seed some times the Agency providing the seeds have No knowledge about it same times the weather condition where the seeds are taken is not assessed which Varieties of seeds can be suitable this can be improved by conducting effective assessment before intervention of agency much attention can be given to high quality yielding varieties that are suitable to climatic, soil and weather condition that are suitable and resistant
We are much appreciated in participating into this online seed assessment and discussion
1. Yes, I agree that at time unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of Seed Aid, sometimes the aid Agencies are providing seed aid to the farmers without considering soil, climatically weather condition, the type of diseases relevant in the affected areas and pests damaging the crops. Sometimes it happens that aid agencies distribute sorghum seeds that the birds attach the panicle of the seed and therefore results and causes loss of yield.
Thanks for shrining you views. I totally agree with you that many times there is very limited participation by the target population in decision making when it comes seed programming. This could also partly be attributed organization not taking seed security assessment seriously- many time no assessment is actually done.
I totally agree with you, sometime it not that the variety is unsuitable, but it become unsuitable because famers lack information about the (New) varieties we provide.
Thanks for sharing your experience and views with the members of SSA CoP.
Regards,
Joseph
From: koiti betty [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 6:49 PM To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: Re: FW: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Please find attached feedback from Mary Karanja. (from Kenya)
Regards,
Joseph
From: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 11:53 AM To: Habtegabriel, Resom; The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa Subject: RE: "A meta analysis of past and current seed security assessments in the region"- GETTING BACK TO COUNTRY REVIEWS
It has been a good start for our Community of Practice on Seed security Assessment which kicked off last week, and we have been receiving very interesting g contribution from members. I would therefore like to rewind the discussion to our initial dicussion on Sudan and Ethiopia Review. We have the following key questions in reference to the summary documents I shared with you at the start;
Thanks Joseph for initiating this discussion forum.
Making the seed system sustainable is quite important without creating any dependency syndromes. It is possible to design revolving seed system, where the farmers will replace either the seed or equivalent money and that can be re-used to reach other farmers. Involving local community and local leadership is required to implement community based solution for the people at the grass root level.
I join in agreeing on the need to utilize drought tolerant crops to mitigate the effects of climate change. We at Farming Systems Kenya are working closely with KARI Centers to promote the short season drought tolerant crops among the rural poor in Nakuru, Baringo and Laikipia and the response is quite good. I would concur with you that effort needs to be put in the multiplication and distribution of these varieties to arrest the situation.
I totally agree with you that the effect of climate change is pinching us seriously in the HoA. Having drought tolerant crops is one of the ways we could partly address this problem. There are quite a lot of research works going on in the region, and with the presence of NARS and CGIAR centers around us for all these year, we need their best bet drought tolerant varieties out to the famers. This however requires substantive efforts in multiplication and distribution/supply system, which many times is lacking in remote areas. We probably need to get our brothers