Guidelines for Planning Local Seed System Interventions

Abstract

Mozambique implemented the project 'Improving the efficiency of seed distribution in emergency situations: linking seed distribution to market development' with the following objectives: to gain a detailed understanding of the present procedures for assessing seed requirements in emergency situations and to propose a new needs assessment methodology which takes into account farmers' knowledge, attitudes and local practices in the process of obtaining seeds without upsetting normal market behaviour. As part of this project, ICRISAT-Mozambique carried out a study that led to the production of the Guidelines for Planning Local Seed System Interventions, which you have in your hands. The Guidelines are based on experiences in the field and comments made by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) staff from district to central level. Initial drafts of the Manual were tested in three districts: in Panda and Massinga Districts (Inhambane Province) and in Chibuto District (Gaza Province). The lessons learned during these tests have been integrated into this first edition, although there is still room for improvement and we welcome your suggestions. These Guidelines present a methodology to gain a better and more realistic understanding of the seed systems used by farmers in their districts. The methodology includes procedures to better define 'what, when and how' to act in the event of natural disasters such as droughts and floods which affect the normal unctioning of the seed system. Thus, interventions should only be planned and implemented after the problem has been clearly defined so that they really meet the needs of those who are genuinely affected