Seed multiplication of improved open-pollinated varieties
Practical Action
• The room should allow air to move freely and should not have holes.
Project financing
Seed Multiplication projects require a lot of funds if the group is going to set up their own seed
plant. Sources of funding can be community contribution, or loan from a commercial or
microfinance institution.
Community contribution is in the form of money; labour and locally available material and these
can be costed. The community funds are used for the every day running of the enterprise-transport,
record books.
Project organisation
Institution arrangements are important in seed multiplication as the success of the enterprise
depends on how organized the group is. The Seed Multiplication Project, also, depends on the
ability to maintain the qual ity of the group and non-project members.
If the whole community wants to be involved, an
association maybe necessary. There is therefore, need
for the association to have committees in the local areas
to cater for the every day running of
the project and for close monitoring of the resource. The
local area committees are also
responsible for the mobilization of other farmers and
also the monitoring of research plots.
From the local committees, there is need to have board
for the association. This is called the Executive or
Steering Committee, which is comprised of
representatives, selected from the area committees. The
Executive Committee links the project to the outside
world and enters into contracts on behalf of the project
proponents.
Community participation in
important
Key implementation partners
The Seed MuItiplication Project/Group may need to collaborate with the following:
• Ministry of Agriculture-product development and quality control
• Seed producing companies-product testing and processing
• Supermarkets and chain stores-retailing
• Packaging companies-packaging
• Local authorities and institutions responsible for seed resources-access to by-laws, regulations
and quality standards.
Conclusion
The focus of this training guide is on providing for further specialized initiatives in improving the
expertise of smallholder farmers and development experts. Such contributions in advancing and
promoting agricultural standards and improving sustainable food production strategies of farmers
will help in the design of improved food and livelihood technologies for all farmers interested in the
uptake of new technologies.
This technical guide can therefore be described as a "capacity improvement" guide as it allows for a
continued input and improvement to suit farmers' ever-changing situations.
There is vast potential for increasing food production in drought prone areas of Zimbabwe through a
wide range investment in human capital and institutional development. This is further enhanced by
the deliberate promotion of innovations in technology and information sharing between all
stakeholders in food and livelihoods security.
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