ICARDA'S Approach in Seed Delivery: Technical Performance and Sustainability of Village-Based Seed Enterprises in Afghanistan

Abstract

In the absence of organized formal public or private sector, finding an innovative alternative seed delivery remains a key challenge. ICARDA initiated a novel approach of establishing farmer-led village-based seed enterprises (VBSEs) to ensure rapid access to quality seed of adapted new crop varieties under the Alternative Livelihoods Program (ALP-E) on integrated staple crop development in eastern Afghanistan. This article describes VBSEs, their technical performance, profitability, and impact, and assesses their sustainability as alternative options in Afghanistan. The technical performance of VBSEs showed that they collectively produced 1,060 and 2,170 MT quality seed of wheat, rice, mung bean, and potato in 2006/7 and in 2007/8, respectively. Average purity and germination of seed produced was 98.67 and 93.47%, respectively, in 2006/7 and 98.13 and 91.25% in the same order for 2007/8. It is evident from the profitability analysis of VBSEs' seed operations that all were economically viable by breaking even and covering fixed and variable costs. The net profit from seed business was $315,531 for 15 VBSEs in 2006/7 and it reachedThis article resulted from a collaborative effort with MAIL and support of ALP/E through USAID and the work of dedicated provincial coordinators of Kunar, Laghman and Nangarhar and VBSE facilitators and member farmers during the project implementation for which they are gratefully acknowledged. Sustainability of Village-Based Seed Enterprises 139$1, 311,060 in 2007/8 for 17 VBSEs. For all VBSEs, returns-to-asset ratio showed strong earnings of 3.5% and 4% in 2006/7 and 2007 and were lower than an acceptable stress level of 6%. All VBSEs had current ratio above the threshold of one and therefore were not vulnerable to meet short-term debts. The average debt-to-asset ratio of all VBSEs was low (5% in 2006/7 and 1.6% in 2007/8) suggesting their strong borrowing capacity with no financial risk. Similarly, the debt-to-equity ratio indicated that in all cases, the farmers' share of the seed enterprise equity averaged about 5. 42% and 1.6% during 2006/7 and 2007/8, respectively. The most progressive and experienced VBSEs are using diversification strategies to increase and stabilize revenues. This provides evidence that quality-seed production at community-level in the form of VBSEs is profitable and an alternative seed-delivery system complementing the formal sector in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

An Assessment of Seed Sources for Cultivation of Field and Vegetable Crops in Balochistan, Pakistan

“…Outcomes indicated that on overall basis, 34% respondents were involved in multiplication of their own seed. However, these findings can be coincided with Srinivas et al (2010) who reported that majority (53%) of farmers used/ multiplied their own produced seed; and 20% obtained seed from other farmers. 1, not at all information; 2, little information; 3, reasonable quantity of information; 4, more information; 5, much information.…”

Technical efficiency of wheat farmers and options for minimizing yield gaps in Afghanistan

“…In spite of concerted efforts from public and international research and development organizations, the dissemination and adoption of improved wheat varieties and associated good agricultural practices have not been improved as much as would have been expected. Regional studies show low seed/varietal replacement as one of the major reasons for low wheat yields in South Asia (Ortiz Ferrara et al, 2007; Rizvi et al, 2012; Srinivas et al, 2010; Thapa et al, 2009).…”

CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY FOR BERSEEM CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM) CULTIVATION IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

“…The merit of the concept was tested on the farmers surveyed, and most responded favourably with 68% of respondents considering it could be a profitable and successful small-scale business. The idea did not originate from the farmers themselves but most were amenable to the idea of adoption and long-term commitment to this activity (Srinivas et al ., 2010). However, the participatory research approach could provide a sense of ownership to farmers and encourage them to make the idea their own thus ensuring better long-term success (Singh et al ., 2013).…”

“…The notion of establishing VBFSEs in farming communities originated from Africa (David, 2004) as a sustainable approach to seed delivery. Many researchers evaluated this concept in their studies across Africa and Asia (Setimela et al ., 2004; Singh et al ., 2013; Srinivas et al ., 2010). It has been found to be very effective in developing a seed production and informal distribution systems in many situations.…”