Program Quality

Seed System Security Assessment conducted in Zimbabwe

Donors in Zimbabwe have pledged approximately US$ 150 million to provide agricultural inputs to vulnerable farmers in Zimbabwe for the coming planting season (2009-10).  The primary target of this assistance is the provision of seed.  The purpose of this study, conducted 27 June-12 July and 20 July -24 July 2009, was to evaluate how current seed supply systems are operating, determine whether farmers (or others in the system) were short of seed, and what types of seed and/or other inputs might be most needed by farmers, if any.  The study was conducted in a rigorous fashion in 4 representative districts of Zimbabwe. 

The main findings of the SSSA were that in fact the vast majority of smallholder farmers were very seed-secure, and that they were more in need of fertilizer and perhaps cash, than seed.  It was also noted that the private sector input suppliers (seed companies and agricultural inputs retailers) were just starting to re-emerge after several years of very severe restrictions and that large scale distributions of free inputs might jeopardize the survival of the small agro-dealers.   It was recommended that as far as possible, voucher systems and seed fairs should be employed to encourage the growth of the private sector and provide cash injections into rural communities.

The findings of the study were reported to a “standing room only” crowd of approximately 60 donors, NGOs, seed company, government and UN agency representatives (see attached list).  These findings represented the first and only actual data to be reported in regards to seed systems and seed security in Zimbabwe this year, and elicited a very positive response from donors, seed companies and NGOs.  The findings are being considered at the donors “Agricultural Inputs Working Group” and a significant number of NGOs confirmed after the meeting that they would plan to implement Seed Voucher and Fairs programs in place of direct distributions this season.

Questions? Contact Geoff Heinrich gheinrich@saro.crs.org.

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