The Role of Research Institutions in Seed–related Disaster Relief: Seeds of Hope Experiences in Rwanda

Abstract

The article describes the efforts of a coalition of agricultural research centres, Seeds of Hope (SOH) in the rebuilding of Rwanda, after the genocide and war of 1994. Research involvement in emergency relief and rehabilitation was unusual at the time and SOH had to forge its unique complementary role. Focusing on crop and variety development and conservation it: provided technical advice to relief agencies on seed procurement; used its baseline ken to assess the effects of war on seed diversity and seed security; made preparations to restore specific germplasm (which, fortunately, proved unnecessary) and spent substantial effort on rebuilding human resource capacity in research as well as basic scientific facilities. The involvement of SOH highlighted the critical, yet very different, roles for research during emergency versus rehabilitation periods and demonstrated the cost effectiveness of building in a diagnostic component — before massive seed or germplasm distributions are programmed.

Effect of HIV Infection on Body Composition and Fat Distribution in Rwandan Women

“…Rwanda's development initiatives through its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), such as the “one cow per family” program, to improve animal and crop production, promoting chains of agribusiness and building technical capacity have been initiated. 23,24 It would be useful to examine the impact of such initiatives on the temporal trends in overall nutritional status for vulnerable populations, both HIV infected and uninfected. Additionally, although malnutrition adversely affects total lymphocyte and CD4 counts resulting in decreased survival mainly in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive HIV-positive patients, we did not observe such a relationship in this study.…”

Impacts of natural disasters on smallholder farmers: gaps and recommendations

“…Providing seeds to small-scale farmers in advance of the major planting season can translate to 6 months of food supply and income [42,46]. In Rwanda, after the genocide and war of 1994, agricultural rebuilding efforts largely comprised of highquality seeds, crop and variety development and conservation, and rebuilding human resource capacity as well as basic scientific facilities [72]. Unfortunately, poorly designed seed aid can actually undermine local resilience by providing untested new varieties, narrowing crop diversity, and adversely impacting local seed enterprises [2,23].…”

Is There an Agrarian Imperative?

“…37 This rapid erosion of genetic diversity increases vulnerability to plant and animal diseases, some of which may be pandemic naturally occurring events, others related to climate change, and still others the result of warfare or terrorism. 37,39,40 Warfare within a few years can destroy both the cultural capital embodied in a region's farmers while also drastically reducing or eliminating the genetic diversity of plant and livestock food sources. Recovery may require decades or longer time periods.…”

“…It is for these reasons that Seeds of Hope and similar international programs maintain banks of genetically diverse plants. 40 Sooner or later major natural disasters occur in all nations, as do destructive wars. If the complex infrastructure that supports the present highly mechanized system of US agriculture were to be severely damaged, few people would know how to use simple tools and technology to locate, create, and maintain small farm plots to produce food and fuel for themselves and others.…”

“…The varieties of plants and animals they raise also are more genetically diverse than those of large-scale agribusiness farm operations. [40][41][42] A critical agrarian imperative is to ensure in perpetuity that a population of farmers will remain who have both the inclination and know how (cultural capital) to produce, process, store, and market food as was practiced in the early 1900s.…”