Hi Okidi,

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 standard through trickle down effects.
However, the challenge was, will the local farmers have the capacity (in
terms of quantity and storage/quality ) of seeds that can suffice the demand
from the contracting authority (NGOS, UN etc) this, can be achieved through
a long term strategy of starting local seed multiplication plan and in the
long term the same targeted farmers for the seed multiplication can be used
as seed vendors/suppliers (currently none exist in most of SCZ Somalia).
Such a strategy will rope in more farmers to aim and benefit from the plan
and hopefully in the future we shall have a fully fledged cooperatives/local
entities specializing in seeds multiplication as a venture. Other research
bodies specializing in seeds (ICRIsat etc) could also be partnered with to
offer more expertise in the same.

Thanks. 

 

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, August 01, 2014 9:40 AM
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 - POOR QUALITY SEED

 

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]
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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