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.
Dear Mohamed,
Thanks for shrining you views. I totally agree with you that many times there is very limited participation by the target population in decision making when it comes seed programming. This could also partly be attributed organization not taking seed security assessment seriously- many time no assessment is actually done.
Request to all: Please share with us e-mail contact of any famer organization you know so that we include them in our discussion.
Regards,
Joseph
Regards,
Joseph
From: Mohamed Harbi [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 2:07 PM
To: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa
Subject: Re: FW: Unsuitable crop varieties being provided to affected population in the form of seed aid in the horn of Africa region
Dear Joseph Okidi and the colleagues in this discussion,
We are appreciated in participating into this online seed assessment and discussion.
We are Somalia based NGO working with FAO and other donors in Agriculture and livelihood interventions and we have distributed various seeds to both riverine and rain-fed (agro pastoralist) in Somalia.
In our observations and the interventions we have taken part, we are afraid that the local community/farmers who were the end beneficial have not been consulted the following issues.
What type of seeds and varieties they need and when they need it?
Where to supply from the seed they need and through which provider.
In our own post distribution review (PDR) most of the farmers have been complaining the above two points mentioning that they were not provided timely and the suitable seed in their respect geographical zones.
For example, if this season is sesame planting season and the farmer is provided with maize and cow pea, some may opt to use as household consumption and will not plant… this is just one case of example.
So this needs to be discussed more technical other than online discussion and also involve the farmer associations since they know better and having been practicing farming for many years.
Also when handling the procurement process – We should not just do as any other supply like food and NFI, as for several times we had witnessed business companies supplied seeds that did not germinated so in this case we need do it very carefully and even preferably to involve the farmers how best they need to be delivered the best quality seeds that met their needs.
Kindest Regards,
Mohamed Aden
Program Manager
Jubaland Development Organization – ( JDO )
252615240823
254725513551
[log in to unmask] / www.jdosom.org
skype: Harbi.harbi
On Fri, Aug 1, 2014 at 11:41 AM, Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear all,
Minor correction in the title : Unsuitable Crop varieties but Not crop parieties.
Regards,
Joseph
From: Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE)
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 10:44 AM
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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