Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 7624 / SEEDWORLD.COM FEBRUARY 2017 INTERNATIONALAGRICULTURALDEVELOPMENT DENNIS THOMPSON is dedicated to delivering solutions and empowering people and organiza- tions to solve complex problems related to international agricul- tural development and global food security. His career experience and international credentials include Extension education, agronomy and admin- istration. Scaling Up is the Challenge NESTLED UP IN the northwest corner of Ghana, is an entrepreneurial group of female farmers keen on gaining skills, generating revenue and reputations as Quality Seed producers. Several kilometers away, other women farmers watch over their commercial soybean fields and tout the value of Quality Seed. Stella, proudly but demurely, serves as the spokes- woman for the community of Quality Seed producers. Quality Seed is a designation prevalent across Africa. It’s sometimes recognized officially, and recog- nized unofficially at other times. Gazing across a blossoming soybean seed field, Stella shared her story with other Quality Seed producers. Her enthusiasm was contagious, as evidenced by the smiles and vigorous head nods of fellow seedsmen. These Quality Seed producers and farmers are the beneficiaries of the Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) project administered by the Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA) and funded by Global Affairs of Canada. Slightly more than 1,000 groups of women in 275 com- munities are served by the project. Promotion of com- mercial soybean grain production is used by MEDA to diversify agricultural production. Generating farmer awareness, acceptance and reliance upon Quality Seed is one identified means to that end. In a discussion, Stella shares key obstacles that seed-related development programs must overcome to scale-up. Otherwise, sustainability may remain elu- sive. If they don’t get it right, farmers may find them- selves more disadvantaged than from the onset. Under MEDA’s tutelage, Quality Seed producers grow and supply soybean seed to women farmers. The seed has performed well, as evidenced by high grain yields. Household nutrition levels have been enhanced by inclusion of soy in family diets, and commercial grain sales have generated cash revenues. When asked what constitutes high-quality seed, Stella explained that she begins with the full amount of seeds produced. Then she just “takes away” the “bad” seed. Probing further to learn what Stella eliminates, she cited seed having broken noses (damaged hila); those with purple color; any that are split or cracked; and the moldy ones. By process of elimination, her remaining seed is “good seed” and is conferred with the Quality Seed designation. Surprisingly, neither Stella nor the women farmers identified germination as a concern. Neither performed germination tests. Yet, incidence of poor germination is well documented in the region and often attributed to improper post-harvest seed handling and storage. Stella’s seed fields are harvested by hand. Mechanical threshing is simply not economically feasi- ble. So, hand harvested plants are threshed in the tradi- tional manner. Plants are piled on the ground and beat vigorously with sticks until most soybeans get knocked from the pods. When asked how she monitors fields to verify paren- tal and commercial seed varietal identity and purity, she didn’t understand. Her reply was: “The field was planted with project-provided seed [one variety] so, how could harvested beans not be the right seed?” Phenotypical comparison of plants and seeds against varietal descrip- tions was a new concept. Increased Expectations As Stella’s farmers begin to value high-quality seed, it is likely they will also want more than a single variety. As the commercial sector develops, farmers will want their seed suppliers to provide expanded product portfolios, proof of adaptation and performance. Parent seed of each variety must be well managed and appropriately replenished. Varietal purity of each variety must be maintained during typical multiyear research determinations. Varietal and physical purity of each variety must be assured throughout multiplica- tion, conditioning, storage and distribution to farmers. Physical removal of the “bad” seed alone will soon no longer be enough to satisfy farmers. Their expec- tations will become more demanding. Farmers will require more and better choices, larger quantities, greater value proposals and increased levels of service. Can development activities be orchestrated to pro- vide seed products that will meet increasing demand on a reoccurring and reliable basis? Can they be per- formed with a level of efficiency so that farmer needs are well-served and profits are at sufficient levels to drive the seed business forward? SW