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

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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.