Dear All, I think we need to confirm that seed distribution is not entirely discouraged in this conversation, rather direct seed distribution. From my experience, direct seed distribution (DSD)is expensive in terms of logistics involved including transportation, offloading and loading, personnel involved in distribution, among others. DSD is also tedious due to protracted procurement process and long chain involved in the delivery. As a result, in most cases the seeds are received by beneficiaries late. It is also prone to corruption and misuse especially where it is handled by dishonest personnel along the chain. DSD does not take into account farmers(Beneficiaries) seed preferences and ends up with a lot of wastages due to unplanted seeds . To the contrary, other forms of seeds interventions have been tried with great success. I have in mind seed voucher and fairs system which FAO and Catholic relief services have used with great success. The system could also incorporate other farm inputs which are crucial during planting and weeding period. Under the system, only vulnerable farmers are issued with vouchers and inputs/seed fairs organized during which both registered agro-input dealers, local seed bulkers (Known seed producers) and known local based grain seed traders are involved. Before transaction take place, farmers are well prepared with extension advisory services on seed quality and adaptability and crop husbandry practices, among others Seed vouchers & fairs has the following advantages, among others 1. Does not interfere with the local seed system, rather it promotes it and hence diversity and resilience. The farmers are able to buy seeds of their choice. 2. Promotes local entrepreneurship and economy, including local stockists, grain seed traders and local seed bulkers and innovators. 3. Minimizes costs related to transport and procurement logistics as the agro-input dealers, grain seed traders and seed bulkers bring their wares to the farmers 4. Timely seed distribution is achieved for as organizing the fair is less tedious. It is however, important to note that seed vouchers and fairs may be hindered where local seed system has been disrupted by an acute and severe disaster and agro-input dealers are non- functional. In this context, direct seed distribution may be contemplated alongside building the capacity of local seed supply system through seed bulking and banking. Daniel Mwanga |Field Coordinator Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Mwingi, Kenya Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] | Cell: +254723359942 / +254 733123256 cid:image001.png@01CF48D5.BF72CF00 for a world without hunger From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anthony Khisa Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 8:30 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: KENYA SSA Recommendations Dear Joseph I feel that before we completely cut the distribution of seed to farmers, a thorough assessment has to be carried out to establish the resilience of those farmers towards seed security. if they are not resilient, bulking sites should be encouraged so that farmers produce their own seed which is more sustainable. we have practiced these with a number of groups we are working with and it has proved to be working quite well. lets help farmers multiply their own seed. Anthony Khisah Crops Officer Farming Systems Kenya - Nakuru _____ From: Simon Wankuru <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Monday, February 9, 2015 8:13 PM Subject: Re: KENYA SSA Recommendations Dear Joseph, Halo Good People. I wish to express my contribution to the SSA in the horn of Africa. At the moment from the lessons learnt in the Kenya Seed Assessment,There is need for organisation to continue carrying out this kind of SSA and share the findings with both the county and National Governing for purpose of planning and supporting the farmers. My recommendation is do research , model and advice the duty bearer and other stakeholders the way to go. Giving out seed is not the best option for sustainability. A case of South Sudan that is in dire need of food needs the intervention of seed for the communities to be food secure. Regards, Simon wankuru ActionAid International ________________________________ From: The Community of Practice of Seed Security Assessments for the Horn of Africa [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Okidi, Joseph (FAOKE) [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2015 2:19 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: KENYA SSA Recommendations Dear all, BIG QESTION: One of the main recommendations of the Kenya SSA is that Government (THVCs program), FAO and NGOs should limit or completely stop Direct Seed Distribution (DSD) in the South Eastern Livelihood Zone of Kenya. Do you agree with this recommendation, why? Regards, Joseph 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, February 06, 2015 11:47 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: New Year Greetings I send my sincere gratitude and greetings to all who managed to get to the New Year -2015. It has been a while without any discussion in our community of practice on seed security issues around the horn of Africa (HoA). I know end (2014) and beginning of 2015 had their tolls on our workload, but I believe we all got through. Seed Security Assessment updates: · Kenya: Towards the end of last year, FAO Kenya in collaboration with County Government (Agricultural Department) conducted a seed security assessment in the South Eastern Livelihood zone. Key findings are as summarized in the attached document. Any comment on the findings and recommendation is welcome. · Malawi: The recent flood in Malawi has call for humanitarian response. For effective and efficient response, FAO in Collaboration with CRS is organizing a Rapid Seed Security Assessment from 16th to 28th of this month. · Uganda: A seed security assessment will be conducted in West Nile by the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) Programme with technical support from FAO . This assessment will commence in the second week of March. Please let us know if you are planning any seed security assessment in your country/region, and do not hesitate to contact us for any technical support. Wishing you all a happy New Year!! Regards, Joseph Okidi Regional Seed Security Officer (HoA) FAO Kenya +254 (0) 733 997696 +254 (0) 788 508837 ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the CoP-SeedSecurity-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L <https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1> &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 <https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1> &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 <https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1> &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 <https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1> &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 <https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=CoP-SeedSecurity-L&A=1> &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