The quality declared seed system, as set out in the FAO Plant Production and Production Paper No. 117 (1993, ISBN 9251032785) has been widely used, particularly by those working in the field of emergency seed supply and as a source of practical information on seed standards for a range of crop species. The system provided an alternative for seed quality assurance, which was less demanding than full seed quality control systems. This publication sets out a revised version, prepared by an expert consultation, which offers a more explicit recognition of the role of national policies and the impact of some recent international obligations on seed provision and a clearer explanation on how quality declared seeds can accommodate local varieties. The list of crops now includes 92 species, of which 21 include open pollinated and hybrids and one includes also a synthetic variety. In making this update, FAO sought to improve seed supplies to farmers and thus to contribute to food security.
Quality Declared Seed system would make use of resources already available in seed production organization in those countries where human and physical resources for quality control were otherwise limited. The book is designed to provide quality control during seed production which would be less demanding on government resources than seed certification, but that it could be sufficiently adequate to provide good quality seed both within countries and in international trade. However, the Quality Declared Seed system places greater reliance on the conscientiousness of seed producing farmers and seed traders. The book has not been designed as replacement for a fully developed seed certification scheme but rather to make the best use of limited technical resources. The system is designed to develop technical expertise within the seed industry so that seed production and distribution become more efficient and with the responsibility placed on producers and traders a climate will be created in which the conscientious traders a climate will be created in which the conscientious trader can prosper. Contents Part I: Guidelines Applicable to All Crop Species; Chapter 1: General; Chapter 2: Definitions; Chapter 3: Eligibility of varieties; Chapter 4: Register of Seed Producers; Chapter 5: Production of seeds; Chapter 6: Labeling; Chapter 7: Supervision by Governments; Chapter 8: Penalties; Chapter 9: Organizational framework; Chapter 10: Quality Declared Seed Declaration; Part II: Guidelines Applicable to Individual Crop Species; Cereals; Maize: Hybrid, Maize: open-pollinated, Pearl millet: Hybrid, Pearl millet: Synthetics and open-pollinated, Rice, Sorghum: Hybrid; Sorghum: Open-pollinated, Wheat; Food Legumes; Beans, Broad beans, Chickpeas, Cowpeas, Dry peas, Groundnuts, Lentils, Mungbeans, Soya bean; Oil Crops; Sesame, Sunflower: Hybrid, Sunflower: Open-pollinated; Forage Crops; Forage grasses, Andropogon gayanus, Bothriochloa insculpta, Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria humidicola, Buffelgrass, Dallis grass, Eragrostis curvula, Panicum coloratum, Panicum maximum, Pennisetum clandestinum, Rhodes grass, Setaria spacelata, Setaria porphyrantha, Forage legumes, Calopogonium muconoides, Centrosema pubescens, Desmodium, Lablab purpureus, Lotononis, Pueraria phaseoloides, Stylosanthes, Trifolium semipilosum; Industrial Crops; CottonL Open-pollinated, Castor bean; Vegetable Crops; Amaranthus, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Cucumber: Hybrid, Cucumber: Open-pollinated, Eggplant, Leek, Lettuce, Melon: Hybrid, Melon: Open-pollinated, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion: Hybrid, Onion: Open-pollinated, Parsley, Radish, Spinach: Hybrid, Spinach: Open-pollinated, Squash: Hybrid, Squash: Open-pollinated, Sweet pepper and chili: open-pollinated, Swiss chard, Tomato: Hybrid, Tomato: Open-pollinated, Turnip, Watermelon: Hybrid, Watermelon: Open-pollinated.
Despite the potential importance of seed quality to agricultural productivity growth, many governments in sub-Saharan Africa lack the capacity to expand quality assurance systems even where there is ex pressed interest. This brief summarizes the key insights from a recent study in Nigeria. The evidence points toward the benefits of pursuing balanced, flexible seed quality assurance systems rather than focusing singularly on expanding rigorous seed certification systems, as the country has done until recently. These recommendations are based on findings from the 2010–2018 period in Nigeria: Increased supply of certified seeds of maize, rice, and cowpea had positive effects on farm-level use of certified seeds, yields, and output, but these effects diminished as certified seed supply continued to expand. Moreover, yield gains from certified seeds tend to vary considerably across locations. As certified seed becomes more available to farmers, its use spreads from higher-return farms to lower-return farms, diminishing overall productivity bene fits. These results are consistent with the view that singularly expanding rigorous seed certification faces diminishing returns. More balanced, pluralistic systems that also allow for moderate quality assurance, such as quality declared seed (QDS), may be worth trying in Nigeria.
This open access book shares the experiences of Tropical Legumes III (TLIII) project in facilitating access to seed of improved legume varieties to smallholder farmers through innovation platforms. It highlights practices and guiding principles implemented in eight developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This book details key processes that respective teams employed to create an innovation space that delivers seed, other inputs, knowledge and financial services to agricultural communities and most importantly, the underserved farmers in remote areas of the drylands. It offers valuable insights into the pathway to establishing, promoting and operating innovation platforms to enhance the performance and competitiveness of legume crops' value chains, and addresses critical issues that must be considered to make innovation platforms more sustainable and attractive to beneficiaries. The book offers a wealth of practical insights for development workers, technical staff, and project managers. This publication is all about TLIII community of practice. It will definitely inspire other development workers and scientists to share their own experiences for others to learn from.
This publication includes a set of protocols and standards for the production of quality planting material of the most important vegetatively reproduced crops, namely: banana, plantain and other Musaceae, cassava, cocoyam, garlic, hausa potato, konjac, mashua, oca, potato, sweet potato, taro, ulluco and yam. Prepared by FAO, in collaboration with the International Potato Centre and a team of international experts, it follows the principles and approach of FAO's Quality Declared Seed System. Vegetatively propagated crop species contribute significantly to the agriculture and food production sectors of many developing countries and regions and to their food security. The current availability and dissemination of advanced reproduction technologies, in particular for micropropagation, have increased the scope for improvement and development of disease-free planting materials for these crops. However, in spite of their potential, they have received little attention in formal seed quality regulatory systems. Thus, these protocols and standards were developed to serve as practical and useful tools for seed producers and technicians at the community level as well as for national seed services and the agricultural research community in developing countries. Improved quality of planting materials will contribute significantly to improved agricultural production and productivity and to global food security. Book jacket.
