Despite the numerous policies and programmes addressing seed in developing countries, many seed systems have excluded consideration of the farm saved and farmer-traded seed that accounts for 90% of seed use in most staple crops. The proposed programme brings international action to improve the quality and value of farmer-saved and farmer-traded seed for the resource-poor and brings a new perspective to the development of sustainable seed systems. The Good Seed Initiative (GSI) forms a specific new credit proposal, within the frame of SDC support to the mandated, knowledge-based, activities of CAB International (see Annex 1 CABI umbrella and logical framework). CABI's work on farmer-centred quality seed systems has not been supported by SDC previously, but addresses priority themes in Natural Resources and the Environment.
The proposal addresses three key issues:
I. Improvements to the quality (health, purity, viability and freedom from contaminants) and value of farmer-saved and farmer-traded seed (i.e. seed as a resource)
II. Building farmer-centred seed systems, enabling the poor to access and benefit from seed from sources external to the community (i.e. seed as a commodity) and
III. Taking forward learning from these into regional and national seed systems and policies.
Through a strong focus on community-centred systems and farmer-participatory learning over the entire seed cycle, it empowers the poor through knowledge of seed, seed quality and varietal characteristics. It addresses the sustainable use of natural resources by improving the quality of seed available to smallholder farmers, both as a fundamental resource and as a source of agro-biodiversity. It supports sustainable access by the poor to seed of both local and external germplasm, strengthening their ability to engage effectively with the formal sector. The Initiative adds value to SDC programmes in priority countries, particularly those concerned with agricultural development and the conservation of agro-biodiversity and addresses specific local needs in each. It complements seed-related activities of other development support agencies and international organizations such as the CGIAR.
The target groups are resource-poor smallholders (women farmers often have prime responsibility for seed management) and the approach does not require high-input technologies. The programme has been developed through extensive discussion with national and international partners and directly addresses the needs of the poor across a range of seed management and supply systems. Previous work in Bangladesh showed that by helping farmers to see for themselves the value of improving their own seed management, 10% yield increases were obtained, farmers became able to judge the qualities of local and external seed and began to establish appropriate market systems. The Initiative takes forward processes catalysed via a regional workshop on the theme in Tanzania last year and responds to demands from other regions for similar processes building from farmer knowledge and awareness, rather than specific varieties. Activities will be initiated in East Africa, where discussion processes are already ongoing. It will build on earlier work in Bangladesh and extend the concepts to Latin America and West Africa in response to direct requests from those regions.
CABI will facilitate and coordinate activities, in direct partnership with national coordinators and stakeholders from across the seed sector. Specific financial support for the central coordination of the GSI, the knowledge sharing processes and specific regional actions is requested. The gross budget under SDC Credit support is 750'000 Swiss Francs and it is anticipated that this will amount to no more than 60% of the full cost in each region. The programme will link actively with other identified donor-supported activities in each region that will provide co-financing for country and crop-specific activities.
