Dear Joseph,
Quality seed is a key input in improving production and productivity. Late rushed decisions on support through seed leads to poor targeting of seed suppliers, mostly get those who have stored seed for along time as they have poor reputation with farmers hence not much sales before the season or during the season. They have old stock in their stores. 

These are the companies who are found to have seed in stores during emergency, some times as the season comes to a close and support agencies are ready to buy seed for the farmers.

I do agree with you that in emergency situations seed of poor quality is sometimes distributed to farmers especially when seed distribution decisions are made late or during emergencies and the organizations have to meet strict deadlines due to seasonal timing. The other reason is that the companies are paid as per the metric tons delivered and not quality at the time. 

By the time the farmers report, they have already destroyed the seed and containers that could be used to ascertain the quality. There is need to avail funds for follow up during distribution to check on quality and adaptability so that the seed is moved to relevant areas before it's too late in the season.
For the ministry distribution on drought tolerant seed, the officers are instructed not to sign the delivery notes if they doubt the quality. The institution that distributes seed is only paid for the signed deliveries only. Unsigned for seed is never paid and they have to bear the cost of transport back to their go downs/stores.

However, some seed companies samples may look good for the sampled seed only for some farmers to complain later for the other lots distributed. Such complaints may not be addressed and the farmers bear the opportunity cost of not being able to grow anything on the plot they would have planted.

 This is avoidable by working with credible companies and having punitive measures instituted on the companies where disaster management committees can set the charge as the company having to distribute new seed at their cost.

This could be avoided where 
1. stakeholders and partners share info to be able to blacklist the evil doers.
2. Stakeholder fora meetings during and after disasters to share relevant data and reports to improve seed distribution and success stories for upscaling
3. Formation of inputs/seed distribution committees which should include among others Govt. as regulators
4. There's need to develop the capacity of seed producing farmer groups in collaboration with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, these groups that are already being used to produce quality seed by KARI, will avail quality seed closer to farmers especially in ASAL areas prone to droughts/floods. These groups should be encouraged to become seed merchants by being supported with start up logistics, storage, packaging, certification and linkages to markets
5. Any seed distribution should be informed by a recent seed security assessment report. Which will inform on who to target, what seed, varieties, quantity per beneficiary, who are the seed supliers, the existing seed systems, need for outside sourcing for seeds etc.
6. Relevant successful government implemented programs will give good benchmarks in seed varieties identification, sourcing, beneficiary identification criteria among other implementation logistics.
 We are called to address food security and nutrition for our countries, no stone should be left unturned, let us all work together for the good of our farmers, our employers.

Regards,
Mary
Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 1, 2014, at 8:39 AM, "Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> 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
>  
>  
>  
>  
> To unsubscribe from the CoP-SeedSecurity-L list, click the following link:
> https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1
> 
>  
> To unsubscribe from the CoP-SeedSecurity-L list, click the following link:
> https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1
> 
> 
> To unsubscribe from the CoP-SeedSecurity-L list, click the following link:
> https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1

########################################################################

To unsubscribe from the CoP-SeedSecurity-L list, click the following link:
https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1