AFGHANISTAN SEED AND CROP IMPROVEMENT SITUATION

XII. STRATEGY AND APPROACHES FOR IMPROVEMENT

XII.5. STRATEGY FOR QUALITY CONTROL

XII.5.1. INFRASTRUCTURE

Quality control, or preferably "quality assistance", is an essential part of a seed program to check and identify the exact quality of seed. In Afghanistan, as soon as possible, the ISTA seed testing rules should be applied.

Some infrastructure for seed quality testing and inspection services is essential. ICARDA should take the lead role in initiating (1) National Seed Policy; (2) National Seed Law; (3) National Seed Certification program; and (4) National Seed Testing System. It is strongly recommended that these-for economy and efficiency of operations-be combined into one unit. If desired, this consultant could develop a detailed plan.

Since these, in Afghanistan, should focus on a "service and assistance" approach, the external quality control program could either be in Agricultural Extension, or closely related to it.

It is strongly recommended that the proposed infrastructure and system included in the section herein entitled "Meeting Afghanistan's Unique Needs" be initiated.

In this respect and considering ICARDA's wide range of expertise, it is recommended that ICARDA encourage and support the development of an Agricultural Extension program strongly working in seed, as proposed herein.

XII.5.2. FIELD INSPECTION

One of the most critical elements in seed supply at this level of applied technology in an informal or formal-developing situation, is to inspect the fields thoroughly (after having trained the growers and supervised them in roguing the fields) and then selecting only the fields which meet the standards.

Only those fields which meet standards for freedom from other varieties, other crops, and weeds should be selected. This is the easiest and most cost-effective means of cleaning seed.

ICARDA has trained field inspectors (and many of the ICARDA staff have long years of experience, for example, Dr. Wassimi, Mr. Manan; and Mr. Mohaqiq of the Kunduz office who has 19 years experience with seed). ICARDA staff are now in the field, inspecting and selecting fields.

Contrary to claims by FAO (Tunwar, Martinez, Fitzherbert, China), ICARDA staff have carefully avoided contacting growers in the FAO system about purchasing seed. ICARDA is also adhering to the ACBAR-established prices for seed, again contrary to claims by FAO.

It should be noted that some local staff of IP's reported that in the FAO seed program, it has not been possible to inspect most fields this year. Harvest is already underway, and it is now too late to inspect them.

ICARDA staff have done an excellent job of estimating requirements, providing transport, training inspectors, and then fielding the inspectors. This key element of an improved seed program is progressing well.

The only seed testing facility which survived the conflict and looting is the testing lab in the FAO plant at Herat.

The ICARDA seed program should not use this facility, for 2 reasons:

Most importantly, it is not conveniently located for the ICARDA program. The cost and time involved in transporting samples would be prohibitive.
And, FAO has exhibited a decided unwillingness to cooperate with ICARDA. Given this, getting tests made properly and on time would be questionable.

It is recommended that:

For this year, ICARDA staff set up a well-lighted desk for purity analysis, and use plastic boxes of sand for germination tests. ICARDA staff can make their own tests, and with their training and experience, most tests would be within ISTA tolerances. Purity analysis of wheat is relatively simple, and the only critical part of wheat seed germination tests is to ensure that they do not dry out, and count the emerged seedlings after the proper intervals.
Before next year (the 2003 season), ICARDA should establish a seed testing lab in each of its operating areas/provinces (understood to be 6; therefore, 6 labs will be required), in sites which will be most convenient for the ICARDA seed program. Some local staff should go to Aleppo for training in operations, records, purity and germination tests, to operate these labs. An equally important consideration in locating these labs would be for them ultimately to be turned over to the appropriate local agency to continue their operation after the ICARDA/FHC project. For this purpose, ICARDA should work with the Ministry of Agriculture to set up a "Seed Quality Control Department", and these staff should work with ICARDA in operating the labs.
ICARDA take the appropriate steps, after these labs are created, to bring these labs and Afghanistan into full membership and compliance with ISTA (International Seed Testing Association).

These testing labs will require (1) adequate buildings, sites and utilities; (2) adequate equipment; and (3) trained staff. ISTA guidelines and rules should be followed.

XII.5.4. SEED HEALTH TESTING

Yellow rust and bunt are reported to be serious diseases in wheat, particularly among the local landrace varieties. Even "the old research-generated varieties have lost their resistance".

Seed from the programs (FAO and ICARDA) are reportedly treated with Vitavax for disease control. There is room for doubt as to how uniformly the dust seed treatment is spread over the seed, and whether all seed receive adequate treatment. However, from reports, the seed treatment (plus the newer and improved variety resistance) apparently controls the diseases.

At this stage, seed health testing is an essential element. Not all seed will require extensive or sophisticated seed health testing; however, basic, simplified seed health examinations should be a standard part of the routine seed testing procedure. Each seed testing laboratory should have basic equipment and trained analysts to make simple seed health observations. There should be one central seed health testing laboratory, which provides special advanced testing services to back-up the regular seed testing laboratories. When a seed sample indicates special needs for health testing, the regular seed testing lab sends the sample on to the seed health testing lab.

The Seed Health Testing Lab may also conduct a major part of the Plant Quarantine activities, and/or back up Plant Quarantine with laboratory and greenhouse or growth chamber tests.

XII.5.5. HUMAN RESOURCES

ICARDA-Kabul staff report that they have the CV's of "more than a hundred" persons who would be available for employment. Most of these are reported to have agricultural training; with short-term training courses and on-the-job training, they could become good staff for basic seed testing. However, seed health personnel should have advanced training in plant (and preferably seed) pathology. It may be necessary to initiate a search for this group of persons, and ICARDA should begin planning some specialized training for both seed analysts and seed health analysts.

There apparently has not been professional training at the university level for more than 20 years. This presents a serious problem in developing trained people.

XII.5.6. OTHER QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES

These (seed law, certification, policy, etc.) are discussed elsewhere herein.

XII.5.7. ESTABLISHING FACILITIES

XII.5.7.1. Operating Agency and Location

When ICARDA establishes such facilities, the placement of the facilities should meet two criteria:

The facilities are readily available for use by the ICARDA-assisted programs; and
When the ICARDA-assisted programs are finished, an appropriate agency (which has already been involved in operating the facilities) will continue operating the facilities for the benefit of Afghanistan agriculture. Agricultural Extension, in the classical mode, would be suitable.

XII.5.7.2. Physical Facilities

Adequate buildings and equipment must be procured and installed at the beginning of the use of the facilities. This cannot be done piece-meal or by stages.

XII.5.7.3. Staff

Adequate staff should be identified and training begun before the facilities are completed. Then, when the facilities are completed, further on-the-job training should be conducted.