Sowing the seeds of success

Less than 10% of the sorghum and millet varieties grown in southern African countries are improved varieties despite the work of the SADC/ICRISAT Sorghum and Millet Improvement Programme (SMIP), and partners, which has developed and released over 40 varieties since its launch in 1983. Although improved varieties are tried and tested in trials on research stations and on farms, only a select few become widely adopted by smallholder farmers. The development of these improved varieties represents a significant amount of money spent to fund the time and effort taken by researchers working to provide farmers with the means to generate higher yields and increased incomes. So what or who is behind this problem?

The answer lies not with the farmers nor with the researchers but, very often, with the commercial seed companies who do not recognize the potential of these improved varieties. This has been highlighted by studies which have revealed that farmers are often aware of the existence of these new varieties but find they are unable to obtain seed. This problem is widespread with multiplication of seed of improved varieties and its distribution representing a major constraint to farmers in many developing countries. However, ICRISAT and its partners in Tanzania and Zimbabwe are working on solutions to resolve this issue.

Schools for seeds

A pilot programme in Tanzania is currently testing the feasibility of using schools in rural communities as centres for seed multiplication. The selected schools have already been involved in a school-feeding programme, which was initiated by the Christian Council of Tanzania to help food insecure families suffering from the effects of prolonged drought in central Tanzania. As these communities continue to be under the threat of drought, multiplication of seed in schools was established as a means of moving improved drought tolerant varieties of sorghum and millet into the communities.

The agricultural teachers in the selected schools are provided with some basic training in quality seed multiplication in order to meet minimum standards and the schools are then able to generate funds from the sale of seed. As pupils in rural schools are encouraged to learn agriculture, the project helps both the children and their parents who benefit from the multiplication of improved seed.

Discussions have also been held with partners in Mozambique to see if a similar initiative could be established, as the seed industry is still in its infancy and sorghum and millet, in particular, are neglected by the private sector. Emmanuel Monyo, who has been involved in the Tanzanian initiative, is hopeful that such a scheme could prove to be a success in Mozambique and in other regions where multiplication of improved seed and its distribution remains a problem. However, he advises that, "The same medicine should not be prescribed for everyone and each country should develop its own system."

Seed stocks in smaller sizes

In Zimbabwe ICRISAT economist, David Rohrbach, is working with retailers to test the assumption that farmers are likely to invest in, and experiment with, new crop varieties if these are available from village retailers and sold in smaller packet sizes. Conventionally, improved grain seed is sold in 25 or 50 kg bags - ideal for large-scale commerical farmers, but too costly for smallholders, particularly if they have to pay additional travel and transport costs in order to buy seed from major urban retailers to take back to the farm.

However, a partnership by ICRISAT and Seed Co, a private seed company in Zimbabwe, aims to provide the varieties farmers would like to grow in the quantities they require from local retailers. The initiative has trailed a combination of small packs, wider marketing and credit support to sell over two tonnes of improved seed varieties in packs ranging from 500g to 5kg in size. Revolving credit, for up to one tonne of seed, has also been offered to encourage village retailers to keep stocks.

Retailers have been surprised that sales have been so high and are keen to improve advertising. The success of the pilot programme has also helped to disprove a popular myth that smallholder farmers will not buy seed of open-pollinated (non-hybrid) crops. And, with more than 90% of farmers keen to buy smaller packs of seed in subsequent seasons, Dr Rohrbach believes that it reinforces the need to provide farmers with greater choice. "We're not forcing farmers to make a decision, we're giving them an option, such as increased availability of early maturing crop varieties, which significantly improves the probability of a better harvest, even in the event of drought."

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