Rapid Seed Security Assessment Report...

Seed Assessment Somaliland: Dudumo 17th

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The Development Fund

Norway

Rapid Seed Security Assessment Report

Somaliland

Elaborated by: Rosalba Ortiz and Bayush Tsegaye

Development Fund, Norway

Contributors:

Hussein Jama –ADO

Darod Shabeel -HAVOYOCO

Mustafa, Ahmed - MADO

Avdi Qani -Candlelight

Oslo, July, 2014


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Acknowledgements

Thanks to all partners in Somaliland for their support in order to carry-out this rapid

assessment. Our especial gratitude to Dudumo Husseien Jama Agricultural

Development Organization (ADO); to Avdi-Qani from CANDLELIGHT, Mustafa M.; to

Ahmed and Abdirahkam from Modern Agriculture Organization (MADO), and to Darod

Shabeel and Omar Sheik Abdilahi from HAVOYOCO. Thank you for gathering

background information, providing additional data and working with us during field

and planning sessions.

We also appreciate field talks with Hibo Warsame from Pharo Foundation.


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List of annexes:

Annex 1. List of people interviewed and partner organisations

collaborating in field work 27

Acronyms

ADO Agriculture Development Organization

CSB Community Seed Banks

HAVOYOCO Horn of Africa Voluntary Youth Committee

MADO Modern Agriculture Organization

Content

Pages

Acknowledgment

2

List of contents 3

Acronyms 3

List of tables and figures 4

Summary 5

1.Introduction 6

2. Objectives 6

3. Areas and scope of the study 6

4. Agriculture in Somaliland 7

5. Food and cash crops in selected communities 8

6. Mapping diversity of local landraces 11

6.1 Maize and sorghum diversity in Durbur Village 12

6.2 Maize and sorghum diversity in Beerato village 13

6.3 Maize and sorghum diversiy in Haahi village 13

6.4 Maize and sorghum diversity in Doha-Guban 14

7. Seed supply systems for selected community 14

7.1 Challenges with Seeds “Khudrad” I Somaliland 16

8. Stakeholders analysis 18

9. A Community Seed Bank model for Somaliland 19

9,1 Type of services 19

9.2 Infrastructure needs 20

9.3 Associated costs 21

10. Where to pilot a community seed bank in Somaliland 24

11.Conclusions and recommendations 25

12. Annexes 27


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List of Tables and Figures

Pages

Table 1. Food and cash crops in Lafta Thinka, Durbur, Berato and

Dubur, Beerato, Haahi and Doha Guban

9

Table 2 . Sources and prices of seeds for farmers in Lafta Thinka 15

Table 3. List of different institutions “stakeholders” and their roles 18

Table 4. Budget: pilot CSB in Somaliland 21

Table 5. 23

Table 6. 24

Figure 1.Four-cell analysis of maize in Lafta Thinka 11

Figure 2. Four-cell analysis of sorghum in Lafta Thinka 12

Figure 3. Four-cell analysis maize Dubur 12

Figure 4. Four-cell analysis sorghum Dubur 12

Figure 5. Four-cell analysis Sorghum Beerato 13

Figure 6. Four-cell analysis Dooha Gubn 14

Figure 7. CSB design 20

Figure 8. Alternative CSB design 22


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Rapid Seed Security Assessment Report -Somaliland -

Summary

During 18th- 22nd of June 2014, the Development Fund -Norway carried-out a rapid assessment (RA)

related to the seed security situation in five selected communities in Somaliland. Information sources

were focus groups discussions with farmers, partners and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The

outcomes of the RA provide DF-Norway a good picture regarding seed security among farming

communities in Somaliland.

The Rapid Assessment justifies the establishment of community seed banks as a necessary strategy to

secure enough quantity, diversity and quality of seeds in farming communities in Somaliland. Farmers

dependency on external seed of poor quality is a direct threat to food security and increases their

vulnerability to climate stresses. Increasing diversity of cash and vegetables genetic diversity is key in the

context of Somaliland farmers.

After visiting five different communities, Lafta Thinka in Gabiley district seems like the most appropriate

for piloting CSB already from 2014. Our partner HAVOYOCO has good technical staff in the field and

farmer groups show a better organizational level. However, both farmers and technical staff need

specific training regarding community-based seed management systems. CSB are highly needed in other

communities, as well as, technical training among DF´s partner organisations. DF-Norway should include

CSB as a core strategy for sustainable agriculture within Somaliland country programme.


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1. Introduction

The Development Fund-Norway conducted a rapid assessment to identify needs and challenges

associated with seed security among rural communities in Somaliland. The purpose of the assessment is

to provide field-based information for the implementation of community seed banks in Somaliland. The

report contains main findings from fieldwork and concrete recommendations in relation to the type of

CSB, services and associated costs; as well as, in relation to capacity-building needed among farmers and

partners for an effective implementation of CSB in Somaliland.

2. Objectives and scope of the study

Objectives

Identification of opportunities and challenges associated with seeds and the establishment

of CSB in Somaliland.

Identification stakeholders and possible collaboration opportunities for CSB implementation

in Somaliland.

Recommendations and concrete steps for the implementation for DF implementation of CSB in Somaliland.

3. Area and scope of the study

The rapid assessment is based on focus groups discussions carried-out in five different communities in

Somaliland. Selected communities are those with on-going projects, implemented by Development

Fund´s partners in Somaliland. The information is, therefore, relevant for Lafta Thinka in Gabiley district,

Dubur in Sheik district; Beerato and Haahe from Odweyne district. However, seed security situation in

Somaliland is similar for most of the farmers according to agricultural officials from Somaliland. So,

although the assessment is based in few communities, it is expected to give a representative picture of

seed security situation of Somaliland farmers in general (Map 1).

Focus groups discussions were used to gather information from farmers, women cooperatives and local

Village representatives. During focus group discussion, four-cell analysis1 was applied in order to gather

information on relevance and distribution of key crops and varieties of key food crops in selected

communities. Interviews were carried out with key informants form the government and FAO.

Development Fund partners in Somaliland also participated in generating information and facilitating

field visits. A complete list of interviewed people appears in Annex 1.

1 Four-cell analysis: there are two measures to classify each landrace according to whether or not it is widespread (occurring in

more than a few fields) versus localized (restricted to a few fields), and secondly whether it is common (grown in large number

of farms) versus rare (grown in small fields). Sthapit et all. Good practices for agrobiodiversity conservation. Published by

LIBIRD and DF. 2013.


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Map 1. Villages surveyed and implementing-partners.

4. Agriculture in Somaliland

One of main agricultural zones in Somaliland is located in the North-western part of Awdal and Gabiley districts2. However, farmers are also cultivating in Odweyne, Burao and Berbera district along Somaliland; most of them depending on irrigation systems. Gabiley and Awdal are the main areas for rain-fed production. The agricultural systems in all villages are a combination of maize and sorghum with cash crops (fruits and vegetables) and livestock herding (camels and sheep). One of the main cash crop in Somaliland is watermelon. All villages visited were harvesting it since it was the end of the rainy season (“Gu Season”). Farmers also produce various vegetables, such us tomatoes, onions, paprika, green chillies, potatoes, okra, parsley, which are minor cash crops sold in local markets (table 1 below). Crop production in Somaliland is determined by bi-modal rainfall. In most of the villages land is mainly communal (70%) vs 30% private. The process of privatization of land is accelerating in recent years (Ministry of Agriculture and partners, personal communications). The two main agricultural seasons in Somaliland are: Gu (rainy season) from April to June and Dayr (Autumn) from September to October-November; the amount of rain during Dayr is not good enough;

2 Gabiley and Awal became main cereals providers for South Somalia previous to the Civil War according to functionaries from

the Ministry of agriculture interview.

Lafta Thinka, Gabiley

, HAVOYOCO site

Beerato&Haahe

ADO sites

Dubur, Sheikh District;

CANDELIGHT site

Dohaguban, Berbera

district MADO site


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most farmers need irrigation during Dayr Season. Summer time or Xagaa Season is from June-July and Jiilaal “ dry winter season” from December to March. Jiilaal is the hardest Season of the year. Therefore it is recognised as the season of uncertainty and desperation for many Somalis; while Gu is considered the season of abundance of milk, meat and good crops. Drought periods are getting more severe and the majority of farmers are relying in irrigation and water harvesting systems to cope with erratic rains. Many donors, such us The World Bank, FAO, IFAD and many International NGOs are working with water management systems. Development Fund´s water management projects in Somaliland are allowing farmers to have access to irrigation systems during dry seasons, especially during Dayr (Autumn). 5. Food and cash crops in selected communities All communities we visited cultivate maize and sorghum as main food crops; while watermelon,

tomatoes, onions, green chillies and hot pepper are main cash crops. Fruits such as papaya, mango,

guava and lemon are also good sources of income and food for villagers. Seeds of maize and sorghum, in

some case cowpea as well as some fruits are found locally. However, seeds for most crops are imported

(table 1). Watermelon is imported and there is only one variety produced by most farmers in

Somaliland.

In terms of maize and sorghum there are few landraces still conserved by farmers.

Storage systems are similar in most communities: seeds “grains” are conserved with dry cow dung and hang in sacks inside the house; in some cases seeds are treated with salt and ash and hang in sacks inside the houses.


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The challenge is to find enough space inside their homes to hang enough quantities of seeds. In the case of Lafta Thinka grains are conserved in underground pits. Loses in terms of grains are very feasible: insects attack the storages and heavy rains can infiltrate water in underground pits (Picture of underground pits in Lafta Thinka)

Table 1. Food and cash crops in Lafta Thinka (Gabiley district), Dubur (Sheik district), Berato and Haahi (Odweine district).

S.N. Crop type Communities Sources of seeds 1/ Seed storage

A CEREALS

1 Maize Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato, Haahi,

Doha-guban

(all)

Local –own harvest –

Underground pit to keep the grains

(Lafta Thinka);

Seed are treated with dry cow dung

and kept in sacks, which are hanged

inside the house (Lafta Thinka and

Dubur villages)

In some places seeds are treated with

ash and salt and then hang inside the

house (Haahi and Beerato).

Cobs are hung inside the house. But

there is limited space (Dubur village)

2 Sorghum All villages Local –own harvest –

Idem

3 Wheat Only in Lafta

Thinka

Market Hanging or kept in plastic containers.

B Pulses


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4 Cow pea Dubur, Lafta

Thinka

Own saving,

Gabiley traders

Cans or plastic containers -

5 Chick pea Lafta Thinka Markets: Gabiley,

Burao, Berbera and

Hargeisa traders,

Cans or plastic containers

C OIL CROPS

6 Sesame Lafta Thinka, Idem Cans or Plastic containers

7 Peanut Lafta Thinka,

Beerato

idem Cans or plastic containers

D VEGETABLES & ROOT CROPS

8 Irish potato Lafta Thinka, idem -

9 Carrots Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato,

Farmers of neighboring

village


10 Beet Root

11 Onion Lafta Thinka,

Dubur, Haahe,

Doha-guban

Markets: Gabiley,

Burao, Berbera and

Hargeisa traders,

Cans or plastic containers -

12 Tomato Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato,

Haahe, Doha-

guban

Idem Cans or plastic containers

13 Hot pepper Lafta Thinka,

Beerato,

idem Cans or plastic containers

14 Green chilies Dubur, Lafta

Thinka,

Beerato,

Vegetative

reproduction or idem


15 Paprika Dubur Cans or plastic containers

16 Okra Dubur,

Beerato,

17 Garlic Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato, Doha-

Guban

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and Hargeisa

traders,


18 Parsley Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato, Haahi,

Own saving. They

reuse the seeds from

previous season.

They do vegetative propagations. Does

not always function well.

19 Lettuce Beerato

20 Pumpkin Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato,

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and Hargeisa

traders


E. FRUITS


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21 Water melon Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato, Haahi,

Doha-guban

Idem Cans or plastic containers

22 Melon Lafta Thinka,

Dubur,

Beerato, Doha-

guban

Idem Idem

23 Guava Dubur, Lafta

Thinka,

Beerato,

Locally available

(Somalia)

Plastic containers

24 Papaya Dubur,

Beerato, Lafta

Thinka

Idem ask partners to fill out

25 Orange Dubur, Lafta

Thinka

Idem

26 Lemon Dubur, Lafta

Thinka,

Beerato.

Idem

27 Mango Dubur, Lafta

Thinka

Idem

28 Banana Dubur Idem (South Somalia)

29 Pomegranate Beerato,

Notes: 1/ According FAO experts, farmers in Somalil farmers use grains and call it seeds. The use of pure seeds is not a common practice among Somali farmers (Personal communication, FAO Hargessa).

6. Mapping diversity of local landraces A four-cell analysis was conducted to identify which varieties are cultivated by majority of households and in large areas. Maize, Sorghum and watermelon are cultivated by many households and in large areas (cowpea in some cases). However, there is only one type of watermelon, and seeds are imported. Maize and sorghum seeds are maintained by farmers. Therefore, a more detailed four-cell analysis was carried out to identify diversity of local landraces of sorghum and maize in all communities. 5.1 Sorghum and maize varieties in Lafta Thinka community Lafta Tinka is an agriculture village of 637 households, located 10 km south from Gabiley downtown (more information in annex 2). 24 farmers (6 female and 18 male) participated in focus group discussions in Lafta Thinka. Maize and Sorghum are major food crops in

Lafta Thinka and watermelon the most

important cash crop; watermelon, sorghum

Figure 1. Four-Cell Analysis of Maize landraces – Lafta Thinka village –

Gabiley.

Households

Many HHs

Small area

Many HHS

Large area

Few HHs, Small area

Few HHs, large area

Area

2

1

3

4

5

Key:

1. Nijaar

2. Lowso

3. Codey

4. Sankab

5. Sandheer


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and maize are produced in large areas and by many households. The distribution of food and cash crops

in terms of households and area is show in figure 1.

Maize varieties: Lafta Thinka farmers grow

five different maize varieties: Nijaar (white

maize), Lowso (yellow maize), Cadey, Sankab

(short nose) and Sandheer (long nose). Both

Sankab and Sandheer are maize landraces3

derived from Cadey variety.

Nijaar “white maize landrace”, and Lowso

(Yellow maize) are cultivated in large areas

and by many households. The rest are

cultivated by few households and in small

areas.

Cadey, Snakab and Sandheer have small areas and few households; are drought tolerant, have long

stalk, give high fodder production. Cadey, Sankab and Sandheer mature in a 4 months period. Nijaar:

has very good taste and short maturing

(matures in 3 months time). Both Nijaar and

Lowso produce more yields per ha than the

other three (Figure 2).

Sorghum varieties: sorghum is a very important

food crop among Somaliland communities.

Lafta Thinka farmers have 6 varieties of

sorghum: Elmi Jama and Adam Gaab (produced

in large areas and by many households); Carabi

is produced by few farmers but in large area,

while Masago, Caqli Badan and Karmiici are

produced by few households and in small areas.

6.1Maize and sorghum landraces in Dubur village Dubur is a community of 500 households, located in Sheikh district in the North-western Togdheer region of Somaliland (more information in annex 3). A total of 17 farmers participated in focus group discussions (3 female and 14 male). 3 Experts from FAO argued that these are not pure varieties. So it is difficult to determine the degree of purity of

Sankab and Sandheer. FAO will conduct some studies on this regard.

Figure 3. Four-cell analysis of maize varieties – Dubur

village


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Households

Many HHs

Small area

Many HHS

Large area

Few HHs, Small area

Few HHs, large area

Area

1

2

Key:

1. Adhiyo

2. Galbedi

Figure 4. Four-Cell Analysis of Sorghum varieties – Dubur

village

Households

Many HHs

Small area

Many HHS

Large area

Few HHs, Small area

Few HHs, large area

Area

Key:

1. Galbedi

2. Elmi Jamal

3. Baydhabawi

4. Masango

5. Yallaxle

6. Qalaafo

7. Finjis

8. Dhagahabur

3

4

6

1

7 8 2

3

Figure 2. Four-Cell Analysis of Sorghum landraces – Lafta Thinka village –

Gabiley

Households

Many HHs

Small area

Many HHS

Large area

Few HHs, Small area

Few HHs, large area

Area

5

4

2

1

3

Key:

1. Masago

2. Caqli Badan

3. Karmiichi

4. Elmi Jama

5. Carabi

6. Adam Gaab

6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Somalia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togdheer


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Dubur is also involved in a farming system combining sorghum and maize as food security crops with vegetables and fruits as part of cash crops. Figure 3. shows maize and sorghum are cultivated in large areas and by many households. There are only two maize landraces under cultivation in Dubur village: Adhiyo (yellow maize) and Galbedi (white) Sorghum is an important crop in Dubur; 8 local landraces of sorghum are cultivated: 1 Galbedi, 2

Yallaxle, 3 Elmi Jamal, 3 Baydhabawi, 4 Masango, 5 Yallade, 6 Qalaafo, 7 Finjis, and 8 Dhagahabur.

Masango and Baydhabawi varieties are grown by many households and in large areas, the rest of

varieties are produced by few households and in small areas, which means that Dubur has a challenge in

maintaining these varieties in the long run. One strategy may be to encourage cultivation and testing

adaptability properties of those varieties used by few households. Some may have better drought

tolerance traits for example; few farmers argued it was the reason why they continue cultivating those

varieties (1, 2,3, 6,7,8).

6.2 Maize and sorghum landraces in Beerato village Beerato is a community of 700 households (85% are agro-pastoralists and the rest pure pastoralist). Beerato is located in Odweyne district (more information in annex 4). 20 farmers participated in focus group discussions (7 women and 13 men). Beerato cultivates only two maize landraces (Adhiyo –white maize – produced by many households and in large areas) and Adheer (yellow maize), which is cultivated by few households and in small areas; maize in large areas is irrigation based. Beerato has the challenge of diversifying maize varieties. In terms of Sorghum varieties, Beerato has 5 landraces: Masengo and Yuluk which are cultivated by many households and in large areas. While Isgadi, Elmi Jaama and Galbedi are cultivated by few households and in small areas (figure 5). 6.3 Maize and sorghum diversity in Haahi Haahi is a community with a population of 400 households, located in Odweyne region of Somaliland. 31 farmers participated in focus group discussions (15 female and 16 male). Haahi cultivates only one maize variety –Adhiyo, which is produced by many households and in large areas. The challenge is to recover other maize varieties and to test its adaptability in Haahi region. Sorghum diversity is also low; Haahi cultivates three Sorghum landraces: Masengo and Yoloha, which are cultivated by many households and in large areas), while Mara-ato is produced by very few households and in small areas. Haahi has the challenge of diversifying sorghum varieties in the territory. Especially important is to test drought tolerant landraces from other areas in Somaliland or from other countries.

Figure 5. Four-Cell Analysis of Sorghum Varieties in Beerato

village

Households

Many HHs Many HHS

Small area Large area

Few HHs, Small area

Few HHs, large area

Area

Masengo

Yuluk

Isgadi

Elmi Jaama

Galbedi


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6.4 Mapping maize and sorghum diversity in Doha-Guban Doha-Guban is a community of 200 households most of them agro- pastoralists. Doha-Guban is located in Berbera district in Somaliland; more information about Doha-Guban in annex 5. 22 farmers participated in focus group discussions (11 female and 11 male). Doha Guban cultivates three maize varieties: Adhiyo is one. Farmers also mentioned the presence of two more white and yellow varieties but without specifying the names. The three maize varieties are cultivated by many households and in large areas. Doha Guban cultivates only one Sorghum variety, named Galbedi. The challenge in Doha Guban, but also in the rest of communities is to recover both maize and sorghum varieties currently used by few households, spread its use and test adaptability; especially with regards to drought tolerance. 7. Seed supply systems for selected communities Farmers in the villages keep local seeds of maize and sorghum; some villages keep seeds of cowpea and brown beans. For the rest of the crops, seeds are imported from Ethiopia, Kenya and Europe. Farmers buy the seeds in local shops and wholesale markets from Hargeisa, Gabiley, Burao and Berbera. Seed providers control import and market prices; farmers have no influence on them. There is neither legal framework nor governmental authority monitoring prices and seed quality in Somaliland. During interviews with the Ministry of Agriculture, they argued a Seed Act is very much needed and the new government (4 years old) is starting the process of creating a seed Act for Somaliland. So far, the act is at draft stage and has not yet materialised. It will take some time before it is finalized and can come into effect.

Figure 6.

Four-cellanalysisofmaizevarieties–DoohaGubanvillage

Households

ManyHHs

Smallarea

ManyHHS

Largearea

FewHHs,Smallarea

FewHHs,largearea

Area

1

3

Key:

1. Adhiyo

2. Whitemaize

3. Yellowmaize

2


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Table 2. Sources and prices of seeds for farmers in Lafta Thinka, Dubur, Beerato, Haahi and Doha-

Guban

S.N. Crop type Origin of seeds Market Average price from all communities

Dubur district Checked in

Hargeisa seed

store 1/

A CEREALS

1 Maize Local 0.75$/kg 0,7$/kg

2 Sorghum Local 0.75$/kg 0.75$/kg

B PULSES

4 Cow pea Local 1.5$/kg 1.8$/kg

5 Brown beans (Beerato

village)

Local (only in

Beerato village)

Shops and whole

salers in: Burao,

Hargeisa, Berbera

and Gabiley

0

C OIL CROPS

6 Sesame seeds Idem 2$/kg 2$/kg

7 Peanuts 2$/kg 2$/kg

D VEGETABLES AND ROOT

CROPS

8 Irish potato From Ethiopia Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

0.75$/kg 0.66$/kg

9

Onion

Europe (Italy,

Kenya,

Netherlands or

Australia)

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

24$/250gm

27$/250gm

11 Tomato Europe (Italy,

Kenya,

Netherlands or

Australia)

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

18$/250km 25$/250gm

12 Green chilly From Ethiopia 10$/kg 10/kg

13 Parsley From Ethiopia

Vegetative

propagated

2.5$/kg 2.5$/kg

14

Paprika

From Italy, Kenya,

Netherlands and

Australia

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

30$/250gm 30$/kg

16 Cabbage From Italy, Kenya,

Netherlands and

Australia

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

20$/250gm 20$/250gm

17 Lettuce (Beerato village)

18 Beet root From Italy, Kenya,

Netherlands and

Australia

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

60$/250gm 60$/250gm

19 Okra From Italy, Kenya, Gabiley, Burao, 16$/Kg 16$/Kg


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Netherlands and

Australia

Berbera and

Hargeisa

20 Carrots From Italy, Kenya,

Netherlands and

Australia

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

16$/250gm 16$/250gm

21 Garlic From Ethiopia Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

2.5$/500gm 2.5$/500gm

22 Pumpkin 15$/kg 15$/kg

E FRUITS

23 Water melon Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

40$/kg 40$/kg

24

Melon

Seeds from

Ethiopia

Gabiley, Burao,

Berbera and

Hargeisa

-

25 Guava Locally available

(Somalia)

26 Orange Locally available

27 Lemon Locally available

28 Mango Locally available

29 Banana Locally available

30 Pomegranate Locally available?

1/These prices have been checked by Candlelight with seed stores in Hargeisa.

7.1 Challenges with seeds (“Khudrad”) in Somaliland Dependency on imported seeds: Somaliland farmers are highly dependent on external seed supply systems. Somaliland lacks autonomy in relation to formal (government) or informal (farmers) seed supply systems. However, breaking up dependency from imported and bad quality seeds demands a great effort from government extension systems, NGOs providing assistance to communities and farmers themselves.


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Farmers keep local seeds of few food crops (mainly maize and sorghum). Most of farmers in Somaliland are totally dependent on imported seeds for most of the crops produced in the country (table 2). Prices are also reported to be very expensive for some of the imported seeds. However, the majority of farmers buy seeds every year. Previously, they could reproduce the seeds for some of the vegetables/fruits “grains”, nowadays seeds germinate just once and cannot be reused. Poor quality seeds: there is no quality control for seeds in the Somaliland seed market. Farmers buy seeds without any guarantee. In certain occasions, seeds do not germinate at all or germination rate is very low, then the farmers lose all the money invested in seeds, land preparation and labor (tractor hours, water, etc.) (see box). Loss of local landraces: local landraces such us the white watermelon disappeared. Local varieties of tomato, cowpea and chilies have disappeared from farmer fields. The reasons are various, but one of them is the introduction of imported seeds, which substitute local ones, and high demand of water in some varieties make those varieties less attractive. Seed storage: there is significant loss of quality of farm saved seeds during storage. Storage pests are mentioned as serious problem. Another challenge is storage space to keep un-threshed sorghum and maize heads hanged inside the hut, a traditional practice widely used in many areas. In the underground pit (e.g. Sorghum in Gabiley), seed is affected by mould. Therefore, the quantity of seed stored by a household is usually not enough and, hence, they have to depend on markets. Increase need for local landraces and drought tolerant varieties: crops that may need great amount of water are abandoned (potatoes for example). Farmers argue about the importance of recovering seeds of local landraces and specially those drought tolerant varieties. Scarce research and extension services on seeds: there is no governmental research related to seeds in Somaliland. Farmers do not have access to technical assistance on seed quality and crop improvement

Ahmed Abdi Muhumed is a farmer from Lafta Thinka –

Gabiley district in Somaliland –. Last year Ahmed bought

tomato seeds from Gabiley seed dealers. He invested

USD$92 in buying 2kg of tomato seeds, plus tractor hours

(USD40) plus his own labor. But there was nothing, no

production at all says Ahmed sadly. I lost all my money and

time invested and when I go back to the shop and tell them

what happened to me, the seed dealers do not care at all. I

am not the only one; we are many struggling with the

quality of seeds. But we have no other alternative than

buying seeds again from same people. Nobody can

guarantee me that this time I will have better results. But I

have no choice,do I?


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from government systems. FAO Somaliland is trying to strengthen the capacity of governmental extension services in relation to seeds (interview with Dario-FAO, Hargeisa June 2014). Farmers utilize grains as seeds, so there is no systematic seed quality control among farmer informal seed systems (Idem). However, it will take some time in order to reestablish effective governmental extension services in Somaliland.

8. Stakeholders analysis

Different organizational structures are already present in the communities:

Village development Committees (VDC), are organized through sub-committees responding to clusters at village level; clusters are corresponding with different sub-clans living in the different districts. VDC are also dealing with Clan Issues in the villages. There are also different sub committees: health, environmental, and education.

Women’s associations: DF partners in the communities organized these.

Farmer cooperatives: they are present in all communities visited. Farmer cooperatives are also organized by NGOs. In this case DF partners.

Most of women and farmer cooperatives and associations are quite new (3 to 2 years old). The organizational constituency of these groups is still weak and needs close follow-up from DF partners during the coming years in order to reach sustainability. Table. 3. List of different institutions and their roles

SN Role Challenges

1 Village

Development

Committee and

& SUBCOMMITTEES

Formal structure in the communities

Collaborate with the government and

liaise with line ministries

Submit village development plans to

the local authority

Submit village development plans to

humanitarian and development

workers (NGOs)

Resolve community based conflicts

They function well, but some key positions,

such as Chair of the VDC and Sub

Committees are Clan inherited so it is almost

impossible to make any change if the chair is

not playing a good role. Women have almost

no chance to become leaders in these

decision-making structures.

2 Farmer cooperatives

Organized by NGOs (HAVOYOCO,

ADO, Candlelight, MADO)

Income activities for the community.

Collaborate with development

workers

Market farm produce

Responsible for managing and

effective utilization of the resources

(tractor, grinding machine, farm tools)

Very young groups (3 to 2 years); technical

and organizations follow up is very much

needed.

Knowledge and strategies related to seed

security should be strengthened.

3 Women associations

Organized by NGO (HAVOYOCO, ADO,

Candlelight, MADO)

Motivate women groups to

participate in decision making

processes

Advocate for women empowerment

through literacy and numeracy classes

Idem.


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provided by NGOs

Establishment of women owned

saving system

Advocate for gender equality and

increase the role of women in

agriculture

4. Government

extension services

Provide technical assistance at the

community level. The government has in

total 64 extension staff, 50% of them

located in Hargeisa and the rest

distributed in regional offices in Burao,

Gabiley, Boromia, Sheikh, Berbera, and

Odweyne.

Lack of own resources. Therefore, not able to

respond effectively to community needs.

Need capacity building to update knowledge

among extension services staff.

5. NGOs

–DF partners –

HAVOYOCO

CANDLELIGTH, ADO

and MADO

They are in the program areas and

provide technical services and follow up

to agricultural activities and farmer

groups.

Technical staff need constant trainings and

guidelines to promote sustainable

agriculture.

6. FAO office in

Hargeisa

Initiating a new program from 2014-2015

related to seed purification.

Their project is short-term (36 months) and

the achieved results during that period may

not be enough to cope with the needs in the

field.

The involvement of governmental technical

staff in the research.

Source: adapted from ADO, 2014.

9. Model Community Seed Bank for Somaliland

Why a community seed bank in Somaliland? Ownership, seed security and quality of seeds in

Somaliland are not guaranteed. Most farmers are depending on external seeds, which become more

expensive and its quality is poor. .Most farmers use seeds, which if they do germinate, they do it

only once. Seeds are lost because storage facilities are neither appropriate nor sufficient to keep

seeds for next season. Securing quality and availability of seeds for farmers is the main reason to

piloting a community seed bank in Somaliland.

The question is what kind of CSB becomes the appropriate model? DF´s pilot community seed bank

in Somaliland will be a short-term storage system; a dynamic community-based system always

linked to local needs and farmer fields. Some of its services will be the following:

9.1 Type of services

Supplying adequate quantity and quality Seeds: should be kept in enough quantities in order to

satisfy local demand of seeds of main food crops. Seeds kept will be those adapted to locality

and have good viability.


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Restoration and adoption of drought tolerant seeds: the second function of the seed banks is to

promote restoration and introduction of lost landraces of main food crops (sorghum and maize)

but also for Curcubitaceas (watermelon, melon, pumpkins) chillies, tomato and other food and

cash crops.

Capacity building: the CSB is also a capacity-building arena for farmers in the community, but

also for other communities, that might be interested.

Create awareness on diversity present in the community. For this a small part of the CSB should

keep an exhibition of seeds, which are constantly renovated.

9.2 Infrastructure needs

The CSB should have good space to store enough quantities of seeds (and grains) in order to satisfy

community demands. Exhibitions stands for seeds do not need much space, neither the office

space. Farmers may need an exterior space to meet in big groups, but the community itself can

work this out later.

Figure 7. CSB design and space distribution

Source: MADO,2014

14

m2

STOR

AG

E

10 m 2: Seed library

& office


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9.3 . CSB Associated costs

Fixed costs of establishing a pilot CSB in Somaliland is approximately are NOK360,500. However,

part of the establishment of the CSB demands a lot of variable costs at the beginning, in order to

create know-how among partners (capacity building is needed) and to create the seed capital at

community level. Follow -up and monitoring of CSB in Somaliland will demand a commitment from

partner organizations, which goes beyond DF programme terms. Partner’s organizations

understand this challenge and are willing to work on the sustainability of CSB in Somaliland.

Therefore capacity building is needed for partners and selected farmers in the beginning.

Table 4. Budget: pilot CSB in Somaliland

Note: 1/ variable costs are high at the beginning since it includes training for all partners at the beginning. These costs will be reduced to

the minimum after 2014.

ExchangerateNO6/US$

No. DescriptionTotalcostsin

USD

TotalCostsin

NOKAssumptions

1 FIXEDCOSTS

1.1. Infraestructure(thebuilding) 32104 192623

Thebuilding,pleaseconsideramaxof

15X8m2;highceiling(4mminimu)to

cooltheroom.Naturalcoolingsystem

(enoughwindowswithoutglass)-MADO

Design

1.2 Furniture,concreteshelvesandOtheraccessors 5500 33000

1.3. Silos(storagecapacityof100KG)(150Kg) 8250 49500Ammountofkgthatcanbemaintained

andtheseedsthatwillbestoraged

1.4. Standstokeepseedcollections(50Kg) 898 5385

1.5. Containersforseedcollections(smallones:5to10Kg) 500 3000

1.6 Solarsystemforcoolingpurposes 10000 60000

1.7 Others(contigency) 2838 17025

SubTotal 60089 360533

2 VARIABLECOSTS 0

2.1

Sorghum 3000 18000Getgoodqualityseedprovider;givenas

aloanandrecoverasgrainorseed

Maize 2000 12000Getgoodqualityseedprovider;givenas

aloanandrecoverasgrainorseed

Others(Cowpea,whitebeans,Mungbeanetc.) 4000 24000

SubTotal 9000 54000

2.2 Costsassociatedtoseedrecovering 0

SeedsofTomatoes(Loan) 1000 6000Donationsfromothergenbanks

(Ethiopia,Kenya,governmentlinkages)

Conservation;rescueofgeneticresources(tomatoes,

maize,onions,etc)1000 6000

Donationsfromothergenbanks

(Ethiopia,Kenya,governmentlinkages)

2.5 Capacitybuildingonseedmanagementofexoticseeds 20000 120000

2.6 Costsofreproducingseedsinthefield 2000 12000

2.7 Technicalassistancepermanent(onefacilitator) 5000 30000Aftersecondyearshouldbefoundedby

theorganisation

Totalvariablecosts 38000 228000

Totalcosts 98089 588533

CostsofestablishingpilotCommunitySeedBankinSomalilandWorkedbytheDF'sSomalilandpartners:MADO,Havoyoco,ADOandCandlelight

Seedsforfirstclycle(Emergencyserviceorinitialcapitalfornextcycle)


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Figure 8. ALTERNATIVE II: this model CSB considers dimension of 24,4 Longitude per 8,5 Wide.

Source: MADO, 2014.


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Table 5. Budget: alternative II pilot CSB in Somaliland

No

COST SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY SEED BANK

Description unit Quantity Unit cost

Amount

1 seed store (10mx10m) block 1 22952 22952

2 seed germ-plasm (5mx5m) block 1 5738 5738

3 office (5mx5m) block 1 5738 5738

4 meeting hole (10mx10m) local materail

1 6000 6000

5 funature, concrete shalves and other accessors shalves 1 5500 5500

6 fencing for 1 ha of land fencing 1 7000 7000

7 Solar system electricity solar 1 9500 9500

8 Silos (bottle glass storage capacity of 3KG) storages 45 120 5400

9 Stands to keep seed collections collectors 50 17.4 870

10 Guard Room (4mx4m) with latrine (2mx2m) 1 5650 5650

Total fixed costs 74348

11 VARIABLE COSTS

12 Seeds for first clycle (Emergency service or initial capital for next cycle)

13 Purchase and distribute vegetable 25 kg seeds kg 50 80 4000

14 Supply of 2500Kgr of serials (Sorghum, Cowpea and Sesame etc) seed

kg 2500 2 5000

Sub Total 9000

15 Conservation; rescue of genetic resources (tomatoes, maize, onions, etc)

1000

16 Capacity building on seed management of exotic seeds for HAVOYOCO Staff

3400

17 Capacity building on seed management of exotic seeds for farmers and executive member of corporative

3752

18 Costs of reproducing seeds in the field 1000

Total variable costs 9152

Operation cost

19 Technical assistance permanent (one facilitator) 4000

21 Monitoring and Staff perdium 1500

22 Vehicle rent 2000

Sub Total 7500

Annual costs

100000


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10. Where to pilot CSB in Somaliland?

The answer is simple: all communities should start implementing CSB as good seed security strategy. As

shown in previous sessions, the need of increasing diversity of local landraces, as well as, securing

enough quantities of quality seeds are urgent measurements for all farming communities in Somaliland.

However, funds are limited and not all communities can begin implementing CSB; at least not with DF

limited funding.

In order to select a possible candidate to piloting CSB in Somaliland, rapid observations about technical

capacity of partners, maturity and commitment of farmer cooperatives and women organizations was

part of the analysis during focus groups discussions. The knowledge and interest shown by farmer

groups during focus groups discussions became one of the main criteria to decide where to start piloting

community seed banks. A summary of elements observed during field visits in table 5.

Table 6. Local capacity for the establishment of CSB in different communities: based on rapid observations from

field visits.

Commu

nity

Community seed

bank needed?

Partner Technical

capacity of

partner

organisation

Capacity of farmer groups

(key factor to allocate pilot

CSB)

When to start?

Lafta

Thinka

Yes; there is no

infrastructure so the

CSB must be built.

HAVOYOCO Strong experience

and committed

field staff.

Needs

strengthening on

local seed

management

systems

The organised groups in

Lafta Thinka are more

mature than other

communities visited.

Havoyoco will continue

working in close areas and

can, therefore, continue

collaborating with Lafta

Thinka in coming years.

Seed committee must be

created and trained. Local

groups need close follow-

up in the beginning.

Pilot 2014

This will serve as

learning centre for

the rest of CSB that

may be established in

2015 and 2016.

Dubur Yes; there is not any

infrastructure. So the

CSB should be

designed and

constructed.

CANDLELIGHT Committed

technical staff.

Needs

strengthening on

seed

management.

Seed committee must be

created.

Local groups need close

follow- up.

2015 with CSB

Exchange visit and

trainings already in

2014.

Beerato Yes, they have

already a storage

place, which is not

properly managed by

the local group.

ADO Technical staff

need

strengthening on

seed

management.

Women group is strong and

can work on seed

management. Local seed

committee must be created

and trained.

They already have a

storage place that can

be rehabilitated.

Already from 2015.

Trainings can be given


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They have many buildings

and investment from other

donors.

to technical staff in

2014.

Haahi Yes, no infrastructure

in place.

There was an old

community seed bank

before war times.

ADO Needs

strengthening on

seed

management.

Local groups are

committed, but need

strengthening on seed

management systems.

If Haahi CSB

continues in new DF

programme or if

distance to new

project areas is short,

then they can

establish the CSB in

2015. Otherwise they

should wait until

2016.

Doha-

Guban

Yes, there is no

infrastructure in place

MADO University of

Hargeisa has

students here,

but the farmer

group need lot of

work in order to

deal with seed

management.

Local groups are weak and

need lot of follow up. It is

recommended that the CSB

is established in the new

sites of the new phase of

DF programme, since these

groups need lots of follow

up.

2015 or 2016 but in

areas with DF new

programme in

Somaliland.

After visiting the communities and discussing with partners, the conclusion is piloting a CSB in the

community of Lafta Thinka in 2014. Lafta Thinka is located in Gabiley district, which also has long history

into agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to open an agricultural research center in

Aburiin also located in Gabiley district. This may eventually benefit local farmers linked to CSB and its

activities.

The pilot CSB will serve as learning and capacity-building arena for the establishment of new CSB with

other partners in new communities in Somaliland. The establishment of CSB in other areas and with

other partners will depend on the possibilities for close monitoring from partners´ technical staff, since

all groups need organizational strengthening in the coming years to be able to manage the CSB

themselves.

11. Conclusions and recommendations

Community seed banks are highly needed in Somaliland, both to strengthen seed security and

to break Somali farmers ‘dependency on imported and poor quality seeds. CSB can play an

important role in recovering seeds of local landraces and in securing enough quantities of good

quality seeds to Somali farmers.

Piloting CSB in 2014: DF should pilot a CSB in Lafta Thinka village ofGabiley district, with

HAVOYOCO as implementing partner. HAVOYOCO has been organizing farmer cooperatives

and women associations during the last 3 years in Gabiley district, with DF support. The groups


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are mature enough to assume the challenge, but they need concrete technical support on seed

management in years to come.

Increase diversity on famer fields: it is urgent to increase diversity of local landraces and

varieties of main food crops, as well as, of new drought tolerant varieties. It also important to

recover locally adapted varieties of main cash crops. The CSB together with farmers’ willingness

to experiment can contribute to this goal.

Capacity building already from 2014: our local partner is HAVOYOCO, but also other DF partner

organizations in Somaliland need special capacity building for their field staff regarding community-

based seed management. As part of capacity building both exchange visits and training seminars should

be provided to DF partners in Somaliland.

Therefore, it is recommended to carry out the following capacity building activities:

Training seminar on community based agrobiodiversity management for technical staff from

Somaliland. If possible, pull resource persons from other places to get a good training: concretely

those with good experience working with maize-and sorghum among farmer groups.

Exchange visit to Ethiopia for technical staff and even farmers: to get to know EOSA´s CSB history

and the management of the CSB by local communities in Ethiopia. The exchange should allow

partners to establish linkages with special institutions and if possible get donations of drought

tolerant varieties of sorghum and pulses.

Exchange visit to Guatemala: for technical staff in order to know more about maize diversity, and

also if possible to get donations of seeds of local landraces of both Curcubitaceas and maize,

which may be adaptable to dry areas. This will contribute to increase on-farm diversity and the

seed stock of the CSB once some of the varieties become adapted.

Collaboration with Agricultural extension Department in Somaliland and FAO: Agriculture extension

services in Somaliland need better knowledge about local seed systems and community-based

Biodiversity management. For DF and partners in Somaliland, these are relevant stakeholders to engage

in trainings and seminars.

FAO has trained some farmers in Somaliland using farmer field schools approach. The outcomes in the

field we could not observe, but partners and DF staff can coordinate a visit with FAO in order to find out

if FFS are working in farmer fields in Somaliland. It is also recommended for DF staff and partners to

have a closer collaboration and if possible work together on common training materials regarding

community- based seed quality management.


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12. ANNEXES

Annex 1. List of people interviewed and partner organizations collaborating in fieldwork.

Institution Name Position Contact information

Ministry of

Agriculture

Abdilaahi Ismail Faarah Director General,

Agriculture

Ibrahim Omar Kalini Director, Plan

Production and

Extension, Somaliland

[email protected]

Abdirizak Sh Muhumed

Gabede

Regional Agriculture

Coordinator, Gabiley

[email protected]

FAO Dario Cipolla FAO programme

director

Ali Ismail Plant Breeding Expert

from Somaliland

[email protected]

Partner organizations

ADO Hussein Jamma

Director [email protected]

Phone number:+252-63

4429664; office +(252)

523828

HAVOYOCO Darod FIELD Work

Coordinador, Lafta

Thinka

[email protected]

Mobile: +(252) 634423499 or +(252)634858570

CANDLELIGHT Abdiqani Saleban Mohamed –

Field Officer, Burao [email protected]

Tel. +252 63 523146 cell.

MADO Abdirahman and

Mustafa M. Ahmed

Board MADO Mob: +252

634422313 Line:0025263

540688 HQ. Hargeisa,

Somaliland

Mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]







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