Agroforestry Tree Domestication Course

Seed Procurement and Documentation

By

Anne Mbora

ICRAF

November 2003

General principles of procurement

• Definition of procurement

• Supplier identification– Product quality– Capacity of the supplier– Lead time– Customer service– Pricing

Species selection

• Intended purpose of the activity

• Locality of the activity site– biophysical issues

• rainfall

• soils

• temperature

• other consideration

Species (provenance) selection

• give preference to local (indigenous species)

• peruse literature

• set up a small trial

• use available research results

• availability of propagules

Seed quantities required

• Planting area– Design

– extent

• initial spacing• seed purity• expected germination level• nursery/(other) mortality• seed per kg• gapping up

Safety of seed movement

• Quarantine regulations

• Weediness issues

• IPR issues

• Plant diseases and pests

After procurement

• Keep in touch with the supplier

• Carry out simple seed tests– purity– viability– Moisture content

• Seeds should be documented to give them an identity. You may for instance want to plant more seeds of a similar identity at a later stage, or want to conduct an impact assessment of seed distribution activities

• Documentation allows verification of seed quality by the client and by the producer. Quality seed = seed + documentation

• Documentation removes the burden of memorizing detail during all stages in seed production and distribution. It also allows for continuity of activities after changes of staff.

Why should I document seeds?

Which are the common documents?• Seed source documents

• Seed collection and handling documents

• Seed quality test results documents

• Seed storage documents

• Seed dispatch documents

• Seed stand establishment records

Which other documentation could be important in seed production?

• Cost of operations

• List of seed sources or seed catalogue

• Research records and publications