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

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Subject:
From:
Quentin Legallo <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 5 Aug 2014 06:45:10 +0000
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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@01CF8EF9.2F0A0360]<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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