{SaMvaad} Query: Promoting Large Scale “Farmers' Seed Supply System”

[SaMvaad SaMvaad]

Dear friends, this is the second query in "SaMvaad." We look forward to your active participation and experience sharing. This query is open till 10th May 2010. Thanks!
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Dear All,
 
Currently, two Seed Systems are available to farmers:
1.    Formal Seed Supply System (Formal Seed Sector)
2.    Informal Seed Supply System (Informal Seed Sector)
 
In the formal system framework of institutions are linked together by their involvement in or influence on the multiplication, processing and distribution of improved seed. However, informal system comprises local and farmers’ seed supply system. Here farmers’ seed production activities take place outside the formal system. This essentially refers to growing a crop, where part of it is saved as seed for own use.
 
In this system farmers can obtain their seed requirements either by retaining seed from previous harvests or use farmer‐to‐farmer seed exchange method based mainly on barter and social obligation, etc. Most farmers use this informal system because of lack of choice. However through generations, this is the only source of varietal selections of quality seeds that are most adaptive to local situations.
 
The basic to the organic movement is the need to show the strengths and advantages of this open-pollinated, farmer-led selection and breeding of quality seeds. Here the vital role of seed saver movements is worth mentioning but these movements are scattered.
 
I would like to ask members of “SaMvaad”:
·         How farmer-led quality seed supply system can be developed and promoted on a larger scale?
 
Thanks

Sue Edwards
Institute for Sustainable Development
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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[SaMvaad SaMvaad]

Dear friends, please find here response from Dr. Vanaja Ramprasad to the query looking for experiences on "promoting large scale farmers' seed supply system". We look forward to your experience. Thanks!
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Dear All, 

A dynamic farmer based seed system requires to ensure three components that are vital to food production. Farmers have  played a crucial role  in varietal development,  seed  selection, production and storage  along with a system of seed exchange amongst themselves. Ever since the focus shifted to promotion of  high yielding varieties developed by the public sector in India there has been a narrowing of diversity. Seed production and distribution  have been backed by the public sector and in recent times being taken over by the private sector. The system of seed certification mandated the universities to release varieties and farmers dependence on these varieties  became the norm. Over the years it has led to a gradual erosion of farmer based seed supply system that existed. In the case of horticulture crops  such as the vegetables the thrust on increasing the yields  opened the door for hybrids and privatization  by seed companies  to the extent of farmer’s dependence on purchased hybrid seeds that came with a package of chemical application.

It is here I would like to share the experience of a civil society organization, Green Foundation, based in south India that focused its attention purely on retrieving the indigenous seeds that farmers in remote corners of the country continued to grow for a small market. The first step was to organise seed melas where farmers   gathered to exchange the seeds amongst themselves and an awareness was created as to the importance of  these varieties that had the unique qualities of drought and pest resistance.

In the case of subsistence crops like paddy and millets farmers selected the varieties of their choice through participatory varietal selections based on eleven different criteria (high grain and fodder yield, pest and disease resistance, flood and drought resistance, good aroma and taste, cooking quality, short duration crops and adaptability to local climatic conditions) unlike the formal system that was based on high yields alone. Over the years the need to sensitise and involve the community was realized and community seed banks were established to cater to the needs of more farmers in different villages.

As an experimental model a farmers federation that would produce the seeds thus widening the diversity within the various species was undertaken. A field gene bank has been initiated to keep the collections and a programme of grow out is maintained. The foundation for a  farmer based seed supply  has thus been established. The crucial questions of scaling the operations, sustaining  the production and distribution  through the seed banks and management by the people is still an issue that needs to be carefully monitored over the years. The issues of manpower and funding  are critical to sustain the farmer based seed supply system, which is very essential  in the face of  private enterprise with commercial interest  taking over. Government intervention and political will to sustain this is the bottom line. The question is with the kind of draconian seed laws and introduction of GM seeds will this happen?

I look forward to experience of other members in SaMvaad.

 

Thanks

Vanaja Ramprasad

GREEN Foundation
Bangalore