Improving the identification, handling and storage of “difficult” seeds ...

2.6. KENYA presentation
National Genebank of Kenya
Mr Peterson Wambugu
Supporting On-Farm management & improvement of PGRFA (question 2.1)
The National Genebank of Kenya started community based activities with the objective of
promoting on-farm conservation of the most suitable dry land indigenous and/or naturalized
security food crops in various arid and semi arid regions of Kenya. The programme/activity is
conducted under the auspices of EAPGREN (East Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network) which
is funded by ASARECA and KAPP (Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project) which is funded by
the World Bank. To achieve its objectives the project undertakes the following activities:
▪ Participatory characterization and evaluation of indigenous crops which helps farmers to select
superior ones for introduction/re-introduction into the farming system.
▪ Multiplication of the seeds of the varieties selected by farmers and subsequent distribution for
planting.
▪ Training local communities in various aspects of seed production, processing and storage.
The goal of the project is to contribute to enhanced conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity
in Kenya. Some of the crops that have already been introduced into the farming system
include sesame and several species of indigenous vegetables. The Genebank is working towards the
enhancement of appropriate storage practices for rural farmers.
Seed storage facilities and containers
In Kenya, farmers have developed a variety of storage practices and the most common methods
include:
▪ Hanging seeds over the fireplace
▪ Granaries
▪ Hangings seeds on trees
▪ Hanging seeds from the roof of the living house
Some of the containers that are used by farmers include:
▪ Gunny bags
▪ Pots
▪ Polythene bags
▪ Plastic containers
▪ Open baskets
Seed Drying
Small-scale farmers in Kenya just like in other parts of the world, have for ages successfully
exploited the combined effects of sun and wind as a means of drying seeds. Sun drying is therefore
the most widely used method for small-scale seed drying.
There are, however, two major disadvantages to sun drying. Prolonged direct exposure to the sun
may cause seeds to overheat resulting in loss of viability due to ageing, or physical damage due to
cracking. Farmers in Western Kenya have actually reported that seeds placed on iron sheets during
drying do not germinate and this can be attributed to the detrimental effects of high temperatures.
This problem can be alleviated by regular turning of the seed or by providing some appropriate
shading material. Furthermore, as soon as the seeds are dry, they should be removed from the hot
sun.