ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

Presence of conflict resolution mechanisms improves the LCA. Distance to input and output markets are
positively and significantly associated with the LCA. Selling the produce and buying the inputs significantly
minimizes the costs
1E.7. Guidelines for more effective implementation and monitoring of drought relief programs drafted and
disseminated by 2005/6
Improving the Efficiency of Relief Seed (ESA)
Whereas markets can be enhanced to offer opportunities for the poor to move out of poverty, the nature of SAT
production systems indicates that a significant proportion of households would not be in a position to benefit
significantly from market-led interventions alone. This includes the chronically poor and vulnerable households
in marginal and remote locations, as well as households under transitory emergencies. In addition, evidence
suggests that HIV/AIDS may be contributing to an increase in the proportion of rural populations trapped in
such chronic food insecurity and poverty. To achieve sustainable food security, many of these households
require sustained access to agricultural innovations in addition to the type of agricultural assistance more usually
supported under emergency interventions.
Past ICRISAT research also revealed that most farmers only received access to new varieties of sorghum and
pearl millet through relief seed programs. Commercial interest in the multiplication and sale of these seed crops
was closely linked with the pursuit of tenders for the supply of relief seed. By the same token, questions began
to emerge about the quality of this seed and the impacts of its distribution. ICRISAT was asked to help assess
relief seed programs in Zimbabwe in order to identify ways to improve their payoffs.
Objectives: 1. Assess strategies for the supply of relief seed to small-scale farmers in drought prone
environments.
2. Assess quality constraints apparent in some relief seed, and propose strategies for resolving quality problems.
Methodology: Led a review of the quality of relief seed in partnership with ICRISAT breeders and national
regulatory authorities. Multiple surveys have examined the need for and payoffs to relief seed distribution.
Further surveys are examining alternative voucher based strategies for the supply of relief seed and other
agricultural inputs.
Main findings & policy implications: We estimate that at least 50% of the seed internationally traded in southern
Africa is headed for relief programs in one country or another. This includes virtually all of the seed trade for
secondary food crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, and cowpea. Relief seed commonly accounts for
15 to 70 percent of national seed trade depending on the year, and the size of both government and donor
programs.
Despite this, ICRISAT research has consistently shown that relief seed needs tend to be over-estimated. Farmers
are remarkably good at saving their seed even after severe drought. And community seed systems are reasonably
good at facilitating trade from seed surplus to deficit households after natural disasters. In this context, farmers
look to relief programs as means to gain access to new varieties, or to seed they might otherwise want to
purchase (e.g. for hybrid maize). By corollary, the impacts of relief seed on household food security and
incomes tend to be small. We could find no evidence that the distribution of relief seed contributes to an
increase in crop area planted. Rather, this tends to displace seed that might have been otherwise obtained from
alternative sources – either own stocks or the village market. The relief seed industry remains strong, in part,
because farmers have been conditioned to claim they have no seed in order to qualify for free handouts (and
food aid). Also, seed companies see these programs as an opportunity to sell large lots while avoiding the costs
of wholesale and retail trade. And relief seed handouts are an easy solution for NGOs.
ICRISAT was asked to sample the quality of relief seed lots being distributed in Zimbabwe after evidence of the
past distribution of poor quality sorghum and groundnut seed. Two years of sampling revealed common
problems of low genetic purity and poor germination. These studies are highlighted the poor quality of labeling
of most relief seed which makes it difficult to hold companies responsible. While the majority of seed tested was
of adequate quality, some of this seed undoubtedly worsened the food security of recipient households.
ICRISAT drafted a protocol ultimately adopted by FAO in Zimbabwe, and all major seed companies trading in
the country, to improve relief seed quality and labeling. A national review of this problem resulted in a series of
recommendations for regulatory and practical reform designed to minimize this problem in the future. These
stand as an example for all countries in southern Africa.
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