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

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Abdirahman Osman <[log in to unmask]>
Fri, 8 Aug 2014 02:24:50 +0300
text/plain (302 lines)
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 seed system
calamities.
Best Regards

Abdirahman

On 8/8/14, Abdirahman Osman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 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 developed.
> Rather than providing seed itself, the study highlights a number of
> ways in which the capacity of local seed systems can be strengthened
> as part of a strategy for agricultural rehabilitation. Suggested
> interventions include (i) facilitating farmers’ access to seed; (ii)
> the introduction of appropriate agricultural technologies; and (iii)
> enhanced input/output marketing.
> Research findings
> • Although there are certainly some situations when an absolute
> shortage of seed exists (i.e. seed is simply not available) and the
> distribution of relief seed is an appropriate response, such
> situations tend to be the exception rather than the rule.
> • Rather than an overall lack of availability problems relating to
> seed are more often than not likely to be caused by a lack of access
> to seed by some farmers.
> • Since seed multiplication is an integral part of crop production,
> addressing production constraints will promote increased access to
> own-saved seed.
> • The relative lack of crop and varietal diversity and the problem of
> pests (both on-farm and in storage) pose major constraints to
> agricultural production in southern Somalia which can be addressed by
> the introduction of appropriate agricultural technologies.
> • A very well-developed seed marketing system exists in southern
> Somalia and this should be supported, not undermined by aid
> interventions.Policy implications
>
>
> Best Regards
> Abdirahman
>
>
> On 8/6/14, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Dear Quentin,
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Joseph
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Quentin Legallo [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 9:45 AM
>> To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn
>> of
>> Africa
>> Cc: Peter Opio; Darias Sanyatwe; Eddington Chinyoka; Eric Mativo; Alfred
>> Ejem; Mary Khozomba
>> Subject: RE: Unsuitable crop parieties being provided to affected
>> population
>> in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
>>
>> 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 to carry out agricultural research and develop
>> technologies that will be passed on to the students. Farmers are delinked
>> from these institutions which in essence should provide answers to
>> farmers’
>> questions. Food insecurity is likely to haunt the region for a little
>> longer
>> time until these issues are addressed.
>>
>> Do you agree that at times unsuitable varieties are being provided in the
>> form of seed aid? What is your experience with this?
>>
>> ·         This normally happens when crop varieties that are adopted to
>> different climatic conditions are distributed to people in need
>> (displacement affected people) or communities in need with little or no
>> research on whether the varieties are themselves suited for the local
>> micro
>> climate. Because of time limitations as planting season getting underway,
>> no
>> germination tests are sometimes carried out so the seeds supplied might
>> even
>> have low germination rate.
>>
>> ·         Unsuitable crop seeds types and varieties provided during seed
>> aid
>> distribution is also due to limited availability of quality seeds.
>> And do you think this can be improved?
>>
>> ·         Local seeds multiplication should be promoted. This is
>> affordable,
>> adopted to local climate and in many cases relatively cheaper when
>> compared
>> to conventional seeds. This could be improved through proper planning
>> with
>> local seeds suppliers, farmers and local government line ministries in
>> order
>> to promote quality/standards adherence. Pre-registration of all potential
>> seeds suppliers should be made after thorough capacity assessment storage
>> and delivery of seeds to farmers.
>>
>> ·         In such situations, apart from buying from the seed
>> companies/stockists, use of voucher system can help farmers to select
>> what
>> best for them when seed are available in local market and adequate
>> information is provided to farmers. The situation can be improved. The
>> mechanisms to improve will differ from country to country in HoA. For
>> example in Kenya, working closely with seed companies and government
>> authorities including the plant health inspectorate service will ensure
>> that
>> you get suitable certified seeds. It is always wise to consult the
>> affected
>> communities.
>>
>>
>> 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?
>>
>> ·         No detailed assessments are normally made. A comprehensive and
>> perhaps multi- agency/actor seeds availability assessments should
>> commissioned in communities to establish the needs, gaps and potential
>> before any seeds interventions are carried out – clearly getting views
>> and
>> ideas from all parties/stakeholders involved including the community. The
>> process could be handled centrally and coordinated by the local ministry
>> of
>> agriculture or UN-Agency (FAO/WFP) if that capacity is not available
>> locally.
>>
>> ·         Sometimes, there is no adequate time to assess and analyze data
>> especially if the intervention is meant to benefit for example from a
>> rainy
>> season. Rapid assessments can be carried out to chiefly give general
>> indication of the situation to facilitate intervention. Most of the time
>> there is blanket support. During disaster situations, communities loose
>> most
>> of their livelihoods and traditional copying mechanisms. This
>> necessitates
>> external support to recover. Where the problem is related to drought,
>> drought monitoring can help to start early preps which will provide time
>> for
>> analysis. Though it’s difficult to prepare for disasters, use of early
>> warning indicators to start preparing for a seed aid can help carry out
>> reasonable assessments and analysis.
>>
>>
>> Are the views of the affected populations normally well taken into
>> consideration when planning seed related interventions by humanitarian
>> actors?
>>
>> ·         Not always especially when the process is taken in a rush when
>> rainy season is getting underway.
>>
>> ·         Most of the times the views of the affected populations are not
>> put in to consideration before seed aid implemented. Aid agencies assume
>> they know what is suitable for the farmers in question. Food has social
>> economic aspects and this makes families and communities make choice. For
>> example in Kenya, whenever there is drought dry land crops seeds like
>> sorghum, pearl millet seeds etc.  is distributed to the agro-pastoral
>> communities for planting in the subsequent rainy season. Unfortunately,
>> this
>> is never seen growing in their farms because they view sorghum and millet
>> as
>> inferior crops of inferior social and market value. They instead struggle
>> and find some seed maize and that’s what they grow in their farms.
>>
>> --------------------------
>> Quentin Le Gallo
>> Regional Programme Manager – Food Security
>> NRC Horn of Africa, South Sudan and Yemen
>> Tel: +254 725 331 402 / +211 954 399 704
>>
>> [cid:image001.gif@01CFB091.E01A4C00]<http://www.nrc.no/>
>>
>> In South Sudan from 14 July to 15 August 2014
>>
>> 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, 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 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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