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The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa

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From:
"Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 1 Aug 2014 09:39:41 +0300
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Dear Michel,

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 - Kneeing where this seed have been produced, checking with the relevant government authority if the supplier actually has the capacity or quantity you need, sampling and testing seed before loadin, and final checking by the technical staff at field level. Most importantly, how do we punish those supplying BAD SEED?  Otherwise, as you have already mention, we shall do more harm than good to the affected population.

Regards,

Joseph

From: Micheal Yemane [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 1:57 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

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 know the variety, germination percentage, purity and its disease/drought tolerance. Without this basics, doing seed distribution will do more harm than good.
In most cases affected people are not consulted before implementation of the program. It is understandable....time can be constraint in rapid onset emergencies. We may rush to secure the budget/funding but during implementation we have to sit with the farmers to know the specifics of the support. The interest of farmers can be rice seed but attention has to be paid to the variety equally. By giving rice seed, we cannot address their problem.
As expert, there are certain areas that need improvement in farmer's routine exercise. Recent innovations and research ideas has to be tested in the field and disseminated in a proper way. By talking to the direct beneficiaries, we can be more efficient!

Regards!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micheal Yemane
Advisor, Food Security and Livelihoods
International Medical Corps,  From Relief to Self-Reliance
Cell Phone (in Eth): +251-913-283266
www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org<http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/>
Skype: micheal.yemane1

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: 31 July 2014 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[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 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.


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?



2.      Do you think seed security of the crisis/disaster affected population is well assessed and analyzed before any intervention - If not how do you want this improved?



3.      Are the views of the affected populations normally well taken into consideration when planning seed related interventions by humanitarian actors?

Note: This e-discussion will run until 15th of August.

Regards,

Joseph Okidi

Seed System Specialist
FAO REOA




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