Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
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single lingering bottleneck on which there was only modest headway, remains the initial production<br />
<strong>of</strong> Foundation Seed. This critical initial foundation seed production step remains undiversified and is<br />
mainly in NARS (government) hands. The following briefly highlights in separate sections approaches<br />
tested, results, lessons learned, select monitoring and evaluation issues and training.<br />
Approaches tested<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> production and delivery, approaches tested under <strong>Phase</strong> I included: four foundation seed<br />
production models, four models <strong>of</strong> decentralized seed production and seven seed delivery models<br />
(Table 6-5).<br />
Table 6-5: TL <strong>II</strong> bean seed systems: approaches tested under TL <strong>II</strong><br />
Foundation/certified seed<br />
production<br />
• Direct production-<br />
NARS<br />
• Direct production-<br />
NARS seed unit with<br />
contract farmers<br />
• Private seed<br />
companies<br />
• Farmer cooperatives<br />
Decentralized seed production<br />
• District/government <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />
supporting individual<br />
farmers<br />
• NGOs supporting<br />
individual farmers<br />
• Farmer Cooperatives/<br />
Unions<br />
• Community-based seed<br />
production<br />
Delivery approaches<br />
• Small pack sales: open markets<br />
• Small pack sales: country stores<br />
• Small pack sales agro-dealers<br />
• Small pack sales: seed/grain<br />
traders<br />
• Exchanged through seed loans<br />
• Direct farmer to farmer<br />
diffusion<br />
• (GOK seed relief)<br />
Results<br />
Partnerships<br />
Diverse and complementary partners have been the cornerstone <strong>of</strong> this work. Some 106 partners<br />
were involved in TL <strong>II</strong> bean seed systems in <strong>Phase</strong> I, including NARS, private sector companies,<br />
specialized seed producers, governmental and non-governmental organizations, community- and faithbased<br />
organizations and grain traders (Table 6-6). Partners developed joint work plans <strong>for</strong> project<br />
research and implementation, and agreed upon roles and responsibilities. Many <strong>of</strong> the partners also<br />
signed <strong>for</strong>mal Memoranda <strong>of</strong> Understanding and several incorporated TL <strong>II</strong> work plans in their own<br />
organizational yearly program plans (examples in Kenya include Self Help Africa in Nakuru, several<br />
Catholic Dioceses, and NGO Nangina). Such transparent and <strong>for</strong>mal commitments help to promote<br />
the sustainability <strong>of</strong> the intervention beyond the project cycle. The challenge now is to scale down<br />
partners so as to reduce transaction costs while maximizing reach. In Kenya, the main set <strong>of</strong> ‘successful<br />
partners’ has been the NGOs with strong local bases (e.g. Nangina and the Dioceses). In Ethiopia,<br />
farmer cooperatives have been identified as the most effective and sustainable seed production and<br />
delivery partners.<br />
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Engaging Smallholder Farmers | <strong>Tropical</strong> <strong>Legumes</strong> <strong>II</strong> <strong>Project</strong>