Agroforestry Tree Domestication Course

1
Agroforestry Tree Domestication Course

• Seed Procurement and Documentation
• By
• Anne Mbora
• ICRAF
• November 2003

2
General principles of procurement

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

3
Species selection

• Intended purpose of the activity
• Locality of the activity site
• biophysical issues
• rainfall
• soils
• temperature
• other consideration

4
Species (provenance) selection

• give preference to local (indigenous species)
• peruse literature
• set up a small trial
• use available research results
• availability of propagules

5
Seed quantities required

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

6
Safety of seed movement

• Quarantine regulations
• Weediness issues
• IPR issues
• Plant diseases and pests

7
After procurement

• Keep in touch with the supplier
• Carry out simple seed tests
• purity
• viability
• Moisture content

8
Why should I document seeds?

• 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.

9

• 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

10

• Which other documentation could be important in
  seed production?
• Cost of operations
• List of seed sources or seed catalogue
• Research records and publications