Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...

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3.4. NFCI presentation Supporting On-farm Management & Improvement of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PRGRFA): Report of field projects conducted in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya Mr. Christopher A. Nyakiti Nairobi Friends Club International (NFCI) In Kenya, the attainment of a satisfactory food security is a national priority goal. The country has made a significant progress in improving food production through modern agricultural farming methods especially in high potential agricultural regions. However, the continued drought and food shortage resulting in dependency of people in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) on food relief is a major concern for the government and other development partners alike. In order to improve the level of food production and agricultural biodiversity in such marginal areas, there is an urgent need to promote appropriate traditional farming systems aimed at maintaining, popularizing and improving the accessibility of a wide range of traditional cultivars and their wild relatives resilience to natural hazards such as drought, pests and declining soil fertility. The major challenge therefore, is to empower smallholder farmers in enhancing their capacity to develop core seed collections. They also need to develop a combination of techniques for cost effective germplasm conservation and management methods that can increase the amount and quality seeds available at affordable prices, reducing losses in storage and extending the storage life of seeds. Nairobi Friends Club International (NFCI) is a Non-Governmental Organization of friends promoting Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, Community Development and Gender Equality. The organization was formed in 1995, based in Nairobi Kenya. NFCI has more than seven years experience in implementing community development projects through field surveys, capacity building and training in Rural Agriculture and Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources. Through such activities, NFCI has worked in partnership with the National Genebank of Kenya (NGBK) and other national and research institutions in conducting the following projects: ▪ ▪ In 2001, NFCI in partnership with the NGBK carried out a study on traditional seed systems and germplasm collection mission in Suba District, Kenya. The objective of the project was to study the methods used by farmers on On-farm Seed Management and Conservation with the aim of developing strategies to strengthen community-based seed management in the region. The project was supported by IPGRI-SSA Germplasm Conservation Programme. In 2002, NFCI in partnership with the NGBK carried out farmer groups’ capacity building and training on On-farm Seed Management and Conservation in Suba District, Kenya. The training focused on strengthening the knowledge and skills of the smallholder farmers on Seed Production, Selection, Processing and Storage methods. The project was funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). ▪ In 2003, NFCI received funding from Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) – Agricultural Technology and Information Response Initiative (ATIRI) to undertake capacity building and training to women groups in Limuru - Kiambu District, Kenya on African Vegetables Seed Production, Processing, Selection and Marketing. NFCI also conducted a research on African Leafy Vegetable Seed Systems in relation to Gender Issues in Suba District funded by the IPGRI – African Leafy Vegetables Programme. ▪ In 2004, NFCI conducted a study to assess the extent and status of informal seed security initiatives in Kenya. This project provided an overview of all key stakeholders with the objective of building capacity of smallholder farmers on existing seed regulations and policies to enhance their participation on on-going revision of the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326) of the Laws of Kenya. The project targeted 25 districts though the funding raised so far
▪ have achieved the desk study and field surveys in five districts (Suba, Meru, Tharaka, Kitui and Machakos) through the support of ACTION-AID, Kenya. In 2004/5, NFCI in partnership with the NGBK carried out a study on Community-based Management of On-farm Plant Genetic Resources with farmer groups in Suba District, Kenya. This project focused on combining community based indigenous knowledge, the findings of scientific research and past practical experience in an analysis and synthesis of viable farming systems in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. It was carried out with the support of the UNEP- GEF/IPGRI. Based on the case studies on seed security initiatives (community seed banks) in Suba, Meru, Tharaka, Kitui and Machakos Districts, the desk studies on the informal seed systems and the capacity building and trainings undertaken by NFCI and NGBK to various groups on on-farm seed management and conservation, the followings are briefs of some of the outcomes. Collaboration between Community seed banks/farmers and Genebank of Kenya (NGBK) In Kenya, community seed bank projects are initiated by the local communities in partnership with the NGOs working especially in arid and semi-arid regions with the objective of enhancing seed security at the farmer level due to the frequent shortage experienced in such areas. In the past, most farmers were never aware of the activities of the genebank although a few have been involved in one way or the other during germplasm collection missions by the researchers from the institution. It is after the projects mentioned above that the local communities have started working with genebank and showing interest in getting more information and participating in activities that can help them to re-introduce some of the crop varieties which are at the state of getting extinct. In response, the genebank has initiated projects with the local NGOs and CBOs to provide capacity building and training in various aspects of on-farm seed management and conservation at the community level, development of seed banks as well as providing farmers with “small samples” of seeds for re-introduction upon their request. Seed storage facilities During the assessment of the informal seed security projects in Kenya, it was noted that the local NGOs and other development partners have assisted community farmer groups in building permanent structures in the form of seed banks. Most individual farmers store their grains in granaries, while seeds are kept in various containers and stored in the different kinds of seed stores. Above the fire place is a practice which was found to be still existing with some farmers especially the older generation hanging or arranging Zea mays cobs, Sorghum/Pennisetum heads in make shifts above the fire place though this method only serves small quantity of seeds. Based on the studies carried out by NFCI and NGBK, most materials (seed/grain) kept in storage both at the community seed bank and the farmer household are stored for between one to two seasons i.e. within one year. This is based on the fact that in arid and semi-arid areas the farmers have less food and hence sometimes materials stored as seed stocks are consumed at the times of starvation. Although the study also found that a certain group of farmers considered being resourceendowed and knowledgeable “nodal” farmers in the matters of seed production and diversityminded keep many varieties and store seeds for more than one year and sometimes even up to five years. The older women were also found to be able to keep small samples of varieties of seeds for more than one year. Seed Drying Both community seed banks and farmers normally sun-dry their seed/grain for two to three days before dressing them with traditional concoction or pesticides then storing. The study also reveals that for the seeds to stay healthy for a long time while in storage, they are periodically removed, sun dried and re-dressed once again then stored.
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1. Project background Supported by
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1.2. Workshop programme The worksho
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1.3. FAO presentation International
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Activity Areas on Institutions and
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Through the Seed and Plant Genetic
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GSPC /ITPGRFA). Purpose: improved i
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Orthodox but dormant Although less
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2. Country report summaries Support
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2.2. BOTSWANA presentation Botswana
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ecently released a biodiversity str
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follows: ▪ Selection of good seed
Page 27 and 28: - Low Constant temperature oven met
Page 29 and 30: ▪ ▪ ▪ Blotting paper in Petri
Page 31 and 32: The second problem associated with
Page 33 and 34: inadequate seed numbers such as end
Page 35 and 36: 2.7. LESOTHO presentation Lesotho N
Page 37 and 38: 2.8. LIBYA presentation The Nationa
Page 39 and 40: 2.9. MALAWI presentation Malawi Pla
Page 41 and 42: Species that demonstrate low levels
Page 43 and 44: 2.10. MOZAMBIQUE presentation Agric
Page 45 and 46: Measuring seed moisture status ▪
Page 47 and 48: 2.13. SEYCHELLES presentation Minis
Page 49 and 50: Crops to be considered for conserva
Page 51 and 52: Drying facilities/methods The proto
Page 53 and 54: 2.14. SOUTH AFRICA presentation Sou
Page 55 and 56: Legume forages Grass forages back,
Page 57 and 58: which the viability seemed to be de
Page 59 and 60: amount of moisture in that sample.
Page 61 and 62: ▪ Encourage and promote the conse
Page 63 and 64: efore the NPGRC acquired storage fa
Page 65 and 66: perennial wetland, as the field gen
Page 67 and 68: 3. Other stakeholders’ presentati
Page 69 and 70: IPGRI’s Vision People today and i
Page 71 and 72: ▪ ▪ ▪ Mali - Traditional seed
Page 73 and 74: ▪ Support services - development
Page 75 and 76: 3.3. SPGRC presentation Gene Bank M
Page 77: ▪ To fully operationalize SPGRC h
Page 81 and 82: Mexican marigold and leaves of neem
Page 83 and 84: 4. RBG Kew species analysis Support
Page 85 and 86: Table 1. Families with greatest num
Page 87 and 88: Table 5. Completed tests and propor
Page 89 and 90: investigated were found to be recal
Page 91 and 92: 5.1. Format of group sessions Outpu
Page 93 and 94: 2. Most urgent training needs Main
Page 95 and 96: 5.3. GROUP 2 report Group members
Page 97 and 98: Top 5 equipment needs for group:
Page 99 and 100: esculentus Lycopersicon ▪ problem
Page 101 and 102: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
Page 103 and 104: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Ethiopia - hygromet
Page 105 and 106: 6. Plenary Supported by Also suppor
Page 107 and 108: - South Africa - direct new project
Page 109 and 110: 7. Annexe Supported by Also support
Page 111 and 112: Mr. José de Menezes Ministry of Ag
Page 113 and 114: 7.2. Questionnaires (for reports) T
Page 115 and 116: 7.3. List of “difficult to conser
Page 117 and 118: EBENACEAE Euclea undulate Improveme
Page 119 and 120: POACEAE Sorghum bicolor Low viabili
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