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

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Thank you Joseph for raising the discussion.

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

-          Some agencies do not conduct seed germination tests to test the germination rate and vigor before seeds are procured. As such, unsuitable seeds are procured and get to the farmers.

-          Sometimes we think new varieties are the best option, but farmers can be supported to select their own seed or support selected farmers to bulk seed for the rest. This is cost effective and enables farmers to plant what has been tested in their areas.

-          Poor legislative environment where traders lead in dissemination of new varieties with little oversight by government authorities as in the case of Somalia. In the absence of government oversight, there is need for more caution and relevant extension services provided.

-          In places like Kenya, we've seen too many new varieties of maize, sorghum, cassava.....confusing the farmers

-          Sometimes we forget new varieties also come in the form of a package...new pesticides, fertilizers but when we design interventions, this is often forgotten and we thus offer suitable seed varieties but in the wrong package. Everyone loses here.
Thanks

Steve

Stephen Mutiso | Head of Food Security and Livelihoods | Somalia / Somaliland Country Programme | Save the Children International | Chalbi Drive, off Isaac Gathanju Road, Lavington| P.O. Box 39664 - 00623, Nairobi | Mobile: +254 (0) 0733 470772/0737 889 123|  Office Tel: +254735767777| Email: [log in to unmask] skype<mailto:[log in to unmask]>: Stephenmutiso| Website: www.savethechildren.net<http://www.savethechildren.net/>



From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Micheal Yemane
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 1:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
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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