Dear Salah,
From the discussion we have had since last week, it seems many discussants agree that little is done as far as involving the target population in deciding their destiny. It’s high time we strategies on how we can contribute sustainably. It is true that in many countries in the horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya………) seed aid (free donation) has been going on for over decades. We need to put our heads together and start thinking critically. We need to be more accountable to the affected population.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Salah Rage-Abuu Salman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 7:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Dear Joseph,
Thanks for this educative and interactive online discussion on seed security systems,
in my opinion i think For the last 20 years, farmers in the Horn of Africa relied on free donations of seeds from seed Aid NGOs without consulting them. These seeds were often of poor quality and the seeds directly introduced to the farming community without prior testing. This has brought many problems including pests, diseases and unsuitable varieties hence we need prior testing and consultation of the affected population before giving those seeds if we want to achieve a sustainable agriculture in the Horn of Africa and the world at large.
Regards
Salah Omar
Africa Source OF Help
Project coordinator/Crop Improvement and protection specialist
BEST SALAAM,
Salah Omar
Email: [log in to unmask]
Mobile:+254 (0)722876655.
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:52:32 +0300
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
To: [log in to unmask]
FYI
From: Dr Abdullahi Idow (WOCCA) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:38 PM
To: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)
Subject: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Dear Joseph
I have just replied Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region, I don't know whether you received my conversation/discussion or not but replying me this form:
Dear Joseph
This is my discussion that I have participated:
1. Yes, I agree that at time unsuitable varieties are being provided in the form of Seed Aid, sometimes the aid Agencies are providing seed aid to the farmers without considering soil, climatically weather condition, the type of diseases relevant in the affected areas and pests damaging the crops. Sometimes it happens that aid agencies distribute sorghum seeds that the birds attach the panicle of the seed and therefore results and causes loss of yield.
a) This can be improved much attention by giving to variety seed sorghum which the birds cannot stand at top of the panicle.
b) Sometimes aid agencies distribute maize seeds which require more water to irrigate and Somalia is semi-arid country that rainfall became short and river water sometimes is below to level of irrigation although most of the farmers don’t have generator pump to irrigate their farms.
c) This can be improved by giving farmers local maize seeds that tolerate climatically conditions of Somalia.
In addition to that, farmers should be trained how to use inputs like fertilizers (Organic or Inorganic/Chemicals).
2. Seed Security of the crisis/disasters affected population is not well assessed and analyzed before intervention of aid agencies.
This can be improved by conducting effective assessment before intervention and much attention by giving to high quality yielding varieties that are suitable to climatically, soil, diseases and pests which are resistant varieties in Somalia.
By having varieties which suitable to the conditions mentioned above the aid agencies should conduct effective assessment which touches conditions mentioned above.
3. Most of times views of the affected population are not well taken into consideration when planning seed related intervention by humanitarian actors because humanitarian agencies are dumping seed varieties without consulting the farmers, also sometimes may occur the farmers are not doing or considering seed quality control, seed germination test whether they are tolerant to diseases and pests.
--
Dr Abdullahi Idow
WOCCA
Jowhar, Somalia
Tel: +252-615-542758
+252-699-732278
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