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
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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