IN

XII. STRATEGY AND APPROACHES FOR IMPROVEMENT

XII.9. STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING POTATO SEED

XII.9.1. IMMEDIATE ACTIONS

To ensure seed supply for 2003, the following emergency seed import and seed production activities should immediately be initiated.

XII.9.1.1. Rapid Survey to Determine Seed Requirements in Mid-Elevations

This survey should identify areas in mid-elevations which are deficient in healthy potato seed. It should identify areas in the Jalalabad district where seed could be produced for the mid- elevations, and institutions that could be responsible for the activities. Based on this rapid survey, short-term measures to provide seed for 2003 should be analyzed.

XII.9.1.2 Seed Import

Emergency seed import may be necessary, since there may be an absolute shortage of healthy good-quality seed potatoes. Due to the bulk, perishability and cost of seed potatoes displaced farmers cannot easily move seed potato stocks with them. Thus, the availability of seed for the coming potato season would be an immediate need. This can be addressed by relief agencies contracting farmers in India and Pakistan to multiply seed of varieties suitable for Afghan conditions.

XII.9.1.3. Fall Seed Production

Fall planting in the lower elevations with good-quality seed which is imported or from the higher elevations will provide seed for the mid elevations in the spring of 2003.

XII.9.1.4. Immediate Actions

The following need to be done as soon as possible:

XII.9.2. MEDIUM-TERM ACTIONS

These activities should be started immediately and continued and completed on a timely schedule.

XII.9.2.1. Continue Seed Production

Select suitable areas for seed production and maintenance. On a long term basis, suitable land for seed production must be identified and developed. The land should be free from bacterial wilt and scab. These two diseases have not been identified in Afghanistan so far, so clean land should be available for seed multiplication. The growing season should be at least 80-90 days in valleys/plains where crop duration is short, or 120-130 days in mid hills and high hills where crop duration is long. The multiplication areas should have an aphid-free environment to produce seed crops.

XII.9.2.2. Training Trainers and Farmers

There are few personnel trained in potato production. Training farmers, researchers and extension staff of public/private agencies and NGOs on improved management practices for seed production at farm level must be a continuing activity in the immediate and intermediate stages. Diffusion of improved seed production technology could be done through farmer field schools (FFS) for good-quality seed production at the farm-level. Training is also needed on rapid multiplication (RMT), TPS and in vitro micro-propagation, as well as for late blight forecasting and control. Training is essential to enable farmers to produce good-quality seed.

XII.9.2.3. Evaluation and Selection of Varieties

Selection of high-yielding varieties should be continued by research institutes, to help introduce better varieties. This is very important, but at present is only done at the research centers initiated by the FAO potato project, whose evaluation programs are limited and need to be enhanced. Without a proper evaluation procedure, improvements to existing varieties or testing of improved varieties for release cannot take place. This deprives farmers of access to good varieties and their improved economic returns. This area must be strengthened so as to ensure a mechanism to access, evaluate, recommend and release improved varieties.

Six leading Afghan potato varieties were sent to Faisalabad, Pakistan, for clean-up and are expected for planting and multiplication soon. These must be obtain as soon as possible.

XII.9.2.4. Linkages

Partnerships and linkages must be developed between public, private sector, NGOs and farmers to strengthen the informal seed production system from which most seed is to be expected, so it can produce good-quality, healthy seed. NGOs play a vital role in informal seed production systems, and they need to be used to develop and multiply potato seed for distribution.

XII.9.2.5. Develop a Formal Seed System

No formal seed system is presently operating for potato. Such a system is very important, so it is best to start developing a system as soon as possible. No significant informal system operates at present, although some progressive farmers are aware of good potato producers in higher elevations who provide seed from their surplus. The formal system must be established, for success in the long run, to support farmer-to-farmer seed exchange and the informal seed system.

XII.9.2.6. Study Aphid Dynamics in Areas Selected for Seed Production

Aphids are a major contributor to virus loads in potato seed, but there is no information on aphid dynamics to assess the aphid population and its behavior in Afghanistan's three potato production agro-ecologies in Afghanistan. An aphid forecasting system should be developed for use in the seed plot techniques in the formal and informal seed production system. This important step needs to be implemented as soon as possible during the next growing season.

XII.9.2.7. Publish Local-Language Technical Bulletins/Brochures/Video Films on Potato Seed Production

Although the literacy rate is low in Afghanistan, most leading farmers apparently can read. Reading material for farmers, extension workers and trainers are essential training tools. Such items should be produced and distributed to researchers, extension workers, NGOs and farmers.

XII.9.2.8. Rehabilitation and Continuation of the FAO Potato Project

FAO has provided a very useful framework into which the potato program could fit. Continued assistance and development of the infrastructure set up earlier is essential for continued development of the program. Facility rehabilitation and equipment procurement should be initiated.

XII.9.2.9. Establish a Tissue Culture and Micro-Propagation Facility as a "Clean-Up" Facility for Seed Production

Clean-up of local varieties could be done by Afghan scientists in collaboration with CIP. This important facility that needs to be developed, to "clean up" the existing varieties.

No micro-propagation system for basic seed exists, although an RMT facility has been installed at the Qargha R&D station, but this screenhouse is now in disrepair. Repairs need to be done to this facility and the RMT operation re-started so as to produce planting material.

Production of quality seed depends on a system of tissue-culture-based rapid multiplication under controlled screenhouse conditions with strict quality control. The institutional arrangements are typically complicated and require several government agencies to collaborate. As such,, it is particularly susceptible to disruption during times of civil strife or economic pressure. This is urgently needed so a seed production system can be organized within the country. Such a facility should be initiated as soon as possible.

XII.9.2.10. Pest and Disease Management

The potato is susceptible to a wide variety of pests and diseases. Control is achieved using agro-chemicals in most parts of the world. Though their use improves yields, agro-chemicals can adversely affect the environment and human health. Integrated pest and disease (IPM/IDM) management technologies for important pests and diseases affecting potato production in Afghanistan should be initiated. This includes potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), leafminer fly (Liriomyza huidobrensis), late blight and bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum). Farmer field schools have been used in other countries for IPM/IDM.

XII.9.2.11. Establish Support Services and Marketing Channels

Support services and marketing channels for both seed and table potato storage and distribution must be improved. Networks should be established through out the country, both for seed and for table and seed potatoes.

XII.9.2.12. Establish a Quarantine and Certification Procedures

There are no health standards for informal seed, or seed certification standards. Seed degeneration is known to farmers, but they do not know the reasons for degeneration. A quarantine and potato seed certification committee should be established to develop quarantine and seed certification procedures within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

XII.9.3. LONG-TERM ACTIONS

XII.9.3.1. Establish a Cold Storage Network for Seed and Ware Potato Storage

Cold storage systems, presently not available even for seed, need to be considered in seed production areas when formal seed production activities begin. Storages for ware potato could be the second phase of storage development after the initial seed requirement is met.

XII.9.3.2. Continuous Process Activities

Activities which should be started immediately should continue on an on-going basis.

XII.9.3.3. Evaluation and Selection of High-Yielding Varieties/Germplasm on Research Farms

A screening program should be established to identify suitable existing or new varieties and import new materials. Selection of promising varieties should be continuously done. At present, CIP and 15 Chinese varieties are being evaluated. Evaluation and selection should be done vigorously and continuously, to ensure selecting and multiplying the best varieties from local and imported germplasm.

XII.9.3.4. Advanced Adaptability Trials of Selected Varieties in Farmer Fields

This kind of trials should be conducted on a continuing basis, to permit selecting the best varieties for Afghan conditions from these extensive evaluations. Variety release should be the final result of these trials.

XII.9.3.5. Diffusion of High-Yielding Varieties and Technology Through FFS

Experiences of other Asian countries could be used to diffuse the technologies and the new material and varieties using Farmer Field Schools (FFS).

XII.9.3.6. Strengthen Micro-Propagation Facilities for Basic Seed Production

Basic seed production facilities must be provided to multiply seed within the country. Tissue Culture and RMT facilities developed in the Intermediate phase must be operational and on-going. Adequate supply of basic seed (multiplied on government farms or selected farmers fields) should be the result of this continuous and carefully-planned activities.

XII.9.3.7. Consolidation of Seed Production Systems in Higher and Lower Elevations

The systems initiated in the immediate and medium-term stages need to be consolidated and continued to produce good quality seed for distribution to farmers.

XII.9.3.8. Short-Term Training in Other Countries in Micro-Propagation (Tissue Culture) for Local Staff

Short-term training for staff in the latest techniques of micro-propagation should be provided in other countries and/or at the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru.

XII.9.3.9. NCM-ELISA Testing Facilities for Testing Basic Seed Stock and Training

Laboratory facilities for potato should include facilities for testing for diseases, especially for seed production operations. Training programs for the staff should be conducted and equipment and facilities such as NCM-ELISA for testing should be provided.

XII.9.3.10. Developing Potato Program Staff

The staff of the potato programs in the higher, medium and lower altitude stations need regular training. Some training could be formal degree or higher-degree-oriented for researchers. Other training could be conducted through working visits, short duration training, workshops and participation in symposia. It is very important for persons concerned to be exposed to new methodology and activities in related fields in other countries. A training schedule should be followed for staff of potato research centers.