FAO Special Action Programme on Seeds
"Sustainable Seed Development Programme" (SSDP)
Widespread use of improved seeds by farmers is recognized as the most credible and cost-effective strategy for increasing food production. The 1996-97 Director General's Programme of Work and Budget includes a new Special Action Programme on Seeds to ensure that emerging trends in seed development are more appropriately and effectively addressed.
The Special Action Programme on Seeds aims to:
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- develop national seed policies and plans to ensure balanced development of all components of the seed sector as well as relevance to national agricultural goals;
- develop national seed programmes, particularly in the fields of seed multiplication, quality control and marketing;
- define seed security strategies both for emergency needs and to provide reliable access to quality seed for farmers. The programme will incorporate subregional networks which will link with in-country capabilities for emergency seed supply and local cultivar preservation and use;
- develop the informal seed sector to stand as a recognized and well-organized channel for making seed available to the mass of small farmers who have hitherto been inadequately assisted by the formal seed sector. Activities will comprise mainly on-farm seed multiplications for which networks will be established such as those currently being developed for SADC Countries in Southern Africa;
- train and organize farmers, with a particular attention to women farmers, in a number of subregions to become involved in seed production as a village or cottage industry, in recognition of the paramount role of women in the agriculture of those areas.
- organize a seed industry advisory service to collect data and information on the industry as a reliable basis for seed matter interventions. Activities will include demand and supply of surveys, advice on the introduction of new technologies, feasibility studies and guidance in the establishment of self-sustainable seed programmes. The Caribbean Seed and Genetic Resources Information Networks (CSEGRIN) will also be an important activity under the advisory service.
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For further information please contact Mr. Umberto Menini, Service Chief.
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