AFGHANISTAN SEED AND CROP IMPROVEMENT SITUATION

XII. STRATEGY AND APPROACHES FOR IMPROVEMENT

XII.1. STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING SEED SUPPLY AND USE

XII.1.1. Guidance

External guidance-in the Extension-type approach of helping them do it-will be the most critical and extensive need in rehabilitating Afghanistan's agriculture and making Afghanistan self-sufficient in basic food supply. it must be practical, realistic and helpful without being overbearing and academic.

XII.1.2. Basic Needs

To establish an adequate supply and use of improved seed:

Rehabilitate & modernize (A) research/ testing/variety development & maintenance and (B) Extension technology transfer of the MOAL.
Train and develop personnel skills at all levels-from researchers to extension technology transfer staff to private sector seedsmen to farmer see-users.
Establish the infrastructural base for a formal seed sector, and encourage its development.
Guide and assist the informal sector (farmers and farmer groups who produce and supply seed in their local area) so it supplies good seed of higher-yielding, disease-resistant varieties in an organized, quality-controlled manner.Get improved seed of adapted varieties to, and within the reach of, all farmers in all villages.

XII.1.3. ICARDA'S Capabilities to Help Afghanistan

ICARDA is uniquely qualified and experienced to assist Afghanistan in its agricultural rehabilitation and development. ICARDA staff are practically-oriented, have been working in and with Afghanistan for a number of years, and Afghanistan is one of ICARDA's mandate countries. ICARDA's approach is to train people, prepare materials, and help and guide local people in establishing and operating their own versions of modern technology which is useful to the local situation.

ICARDA can help in genetic materials; seed development; breeding and variety development of wheat, barley, forages, fodder, and pulses; livestock; soil and water conservation; and training.

XII.1.4. Infrastructure Needs

The entire essential infrastructure for improved seed supply and use, either never existed or has been completely disabled. Urgent needs include:

1. National Seed Policy2. National Seed Law with Regulations3. Official Seed Testing Labs4. Seed Certification (later)5. Breeder and Foundation Seed Supply6. Variety Release, Recommendation, and Discontinuance Mechanism7. Seed Health Testing
8. Plant Quarantine9. Incentives for foreign/domestic investment in seed10. Credit11.Training
XII.1.5. Potential for Regional Cooperation

Afghanistan can benefit from intensive involvement in regional crop improvement programs, especially ICARDA programs. Hold meetings and establish procedures for seed exchange with neighboring countries. Implement Plant Quarantine in close cooperation with other countries. Develop exchange and cooperation with agricultural universities in other regional countries. Develop some local fabrication of small-scale equipment for farmers, seed suppliers, etc., but procure specialized equipment from other countries. Develop regional agreements on import of equipment, including reciprocal exemption from import duties. Make regional arrangements for spare parts to cross borders duty-free.

XII.1.6. Sectorial Participation

To save time and maximize investment and development, from the onset, the private sector should have the responsibility-and the freedom and governmental support-to implement market-oriented activities of seed production, supply and marketing. In Afghanistan's unique conditions, this will involve mostly the informal sector, which must receive extensive government support in a manner which does not interfere with investment and market focus. Government must support the informal sector with variety development, credit, training, assistance in obtaining equipment/supplies, etc., to create an environment favorable for seed production, and use by small farmers.

In addition to policies and laws required to create the operating environment and support, the MOAL should provide extensive technical and operating support, including:

Conduct variety development and testing, and crop research, but not interfere with private-sector breeding programs.
Have a "Seed Support and Development Department" to handle Breeder and Foundation seed, focus crop/variety research and development on farmers' needs, and provide technical support in all seed-related areas.
Not produce supply of seed for general farmer use.
Establish a strong Extension to help develop private sector seed supply and use.

XII.1.7. Quality Control

External quality control should be government- conducted and funded. It should help identify and prevent potential problems, rather than serve as a "policeman". It must be within easy reach of informal seed producers and seed users. Seed labs should provide production guidance and technical training-combining the role of Extension seed programs, certification, seed testing, etc.

XII.1.8. Approach for Maximum Effectiveness

Implementation Policy: Use a modified version of the World Bank's reconstruction strategy to:

1. Maximize assistance to target recipients.
2. Respond to the real, recipient-identified need.
3. Emphasize equity.
4. Seek quick results.
5. Initial work should be with whatever already exists.
6. Wide scope of involvement and effects.
7. Be private sector-oriented.
8. Avoid excessive bureaucracy and centralized control.

It appears essential to use the "LEISA" (Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture) approach. This refers to the farmer's situation, not to external assistance.

XII.1.9. Meeting Institutional Needs

Emergency and short-term measures must be carefully planned so that they do not interfere with development in the medium and long-term. To ensure food security and enable Afghanistan to move toward self-sustainability, long-term measures are essential to develop systems, trained people, resources and infrastructure.

XII.1.10. Emergency Seed Supply

"Emergency" seed supply is not a short-term activity. ICARDA's emergency seed supply program should continue for 3-5 years to serve returning refugees, farmers unable to find gainful employment off-farm, poor farmers unable to buy seed, etc. Then, an assessment of the need should be made.

XII.1.11. Long-Term Seed Supply

Emergency seed supply should not hinder development of long-term supply. Toward this, emergency supply should:

Avoid giving free seed, to develop farmer willingness to purchase seed later.
Produce seed locally, in systems which can lead to permanent seed supply, and train farmers in the value of seed, and in seed production.
Develop sources of equipment, chemicals, supplies, etc.
Involve Agricultural Extension and Research.
Develop support infrastructure (stock seed production, seed testing, variety testing/recommendation, etc.).

XII.1.12. Focus on an Improved Informal Seed Sector

The most likely-to-succeed means of supplying better seed to farmers appears to be through an improved informal seed sector. A recommended format is to establish "Village Seed Enterprises" in which the village Shurah selects a farmer(s) to produce seed for the village. A competent agency, Agricultural Extension or ICARDA, would provide technical guidance, assistance, training, etc.

XII.1.13. Crop Improvement

Crop improvement needs rehabilitation of old research stations and/or establishment of new ones, re-structuring and renewal of MOAL, training specialists, equipment and facilities, operating budgets, etc. A special unit and facilities should be established to maintain and supply Breeder and Foundation seed.

XII.1.14. Seed Infrastructure Establishment

To avoid wrong approaches, quickly establish an effective national seed infrastructure, with ICARDA's help: Seed Policy, Seed Law and Regulations, Seed Testing Network, Seed Health Laboratory (include Plant Quarantine), Seed Certification, Variety Release/Recommendation/Discontinuance, Agricultural Statistics, Variety Trial System, Extension On-Farm Variety Trials and Demonstration, etc. Agricultural Extension is important, and must be closely involved in seed and crop improvement.

XII.1.15. Seed Conditioning and Treating

Develop detailed plans and budgets for (1) processing facilities, preferably stationary plants, to serve seed programs and growers who produce for their own account but cannot afford facilities; (2) small or even hand-powered cleaners/treaters for Village Seed Enterprises.

XII.1.16. Seed Production System Development

Establish a program-Village Seed Enterprise network-which can give all small farmers the benefits of improved seed varieties. Develop complete records and management guidelines to help develop self-sustaining rural small enterprises.

XII.1.17. Extension Educational Promotion and Development Assistance

Extensive Extension involvement in seed production, handling, distribution and promotion helps get seed to farmers; and improve rural conditions. Afghanaid (AAD) has proven that Extension methodology (trials, observation plots, and package distribution under farmer conditions) shows improved technologies to farmers in a manner they can understand and will adopt and use.

XII.1.18. Training

Retrain and upgrade professionals, and train new persons, in new developments, facilities and procedures. Use training abroad (long-, medium- and short-term), and in-Afghanistan training.

XII.1.19. Assistance Agency Cooperation

Cooperation between Afghan agencies and expatriate agencies must be close.

XII.1.20. Opportunities for Private Sector Investment

There is presently no opportunity for "classical" private sector investment in seed production/supply. However, Afghanistan has ideal conditions (dry climate, irrigation, small fields, low-cost labor, isolation) for producing high-value labor-intensive seed of vegetables and flowers for export. Government should attract multinational companies to multiply seed of their special varieties and hybrids in Afghanistan.

XII.1.21. Guidance, Support and Advice

A critical need is a local seed supply system such as the "Village Seed Enterprise" (VSE) in which each (or a few working together) village sets up a program to supply good seed for the entire village. This must work under close guidance of a competent agency such as ICARDA or Extension.

XII.1.22. Breeder and Foundation Seed

There should be a single MOAL unit organized to multiply and supply basic or stock seed for seed multiplication programs.

XII.1.23. Cooperation With MOAL and Local Agencies

Development assistance agencies should aim at meeting current needs, but at the same time aim at ultimately turning over their programs and to a local agency. However, for a number of years, programs must be operated by an externally-supported agency.