Abstract:

Over 90% of farmers in West Nile grow local crop varieties whose
productivity is low compared with the few improved varieties grown. For
example, a productivity and marketing survey conducted by Abi ZARDI
in the region estimated the yield obtained by farmers to be 0.3t/ha with
the commonly grown Red beauty groundnut variety compared with
2.4t/ha for Serenut 3, and 2,4t/ha serenut 4; improved casava at 30
tons/ha compared with 10t/ha for sanze cassava local variety. The
study also noted a significant difference in productivity of improved
beans and local varieties. It was noted that K132 yielded up to 2.5t/ha
while Nabe 4 went up to 1.2t/ha compared with Ufutafuta, a local
variety, that yielded only 0.8 tiha. Lastly, productivity of improved rice
Naric 3 and Nerica 10 respectively were higher (3.9t /ha and 1.9t/ha
respectively) than that of super a local variety that yielded up to 1.3t/ha.
Farmers attributed low crop productivity to lack of access to seeds of
improved varieties - a constraint that can be solved by development of a
sustainable seed production and delivery system in the region.
The primary objective of this project is to make available seeds of
improved crop varieties of major food and cash crops to farmers in
West Nile region. The ultimate objective is the establishment of a
sustainable seed delivery system. The project will use an approach of
production of seed by farmer groups whose members will be linked to
the agro-dealers in the zone to market the seed to be produced. The
approach is believed to be more effective and sustainable. The model
crops selected in this project are groundnuts, beans, rice and cassava
due to their importance in the farming system and current demand from
farmers. There is also market potential for these crops in the region
both as food and cash crop. For instance according to the production
department in Arua, WFP is currently willing to buy beans and rice from
farmers for distribution to repatriating refugees in southern Sudan.
The project will involve farmer groups established by NGOs namely
Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD),
Appropriate Technology (AT) Uganda, Danish Assistance to Refugee
Hosting Area (DAR), District Farmers Associations (DFA) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). On the other hand farmer
groups identified by district extension staff based at sub-counties. About
40% of the participating farmers will be women because of the active
role they play in agricultural production particularly seed production.
The project will operate in three districts: Adjuman, Yumbe and Nebbi.
The sub counties will be selected in a participatory manner involving all
stakeholders.
Through farmers' participation in the project activities right from the
initial stages, it is anticipated that adequate and affordable seed of
improved varieties of groundnuts (Serenut 4T, Serenut 3R), beans
(P0A8, K132), rice (NARIC 3 and NERICA 1) and Cassava (Akena,
TME 14 and TME 204) will be made available and they will continue
with seed production after the end of the project. For instance, in
Nambieso Apac district, farmers have continued multiplying seed of
improved pigeon pea varieties even after the end of the project (Obuo
et al, 2004). Field Extension workers (both from government and NGOs
i.e CEFORD, AT-Uganda, DAP and DFA ) and farmers will be trained
on seed production skills, conducting on—farm demonstrations,
information transfer through field days, farmer exchange visits, local FM
radio programs, poster production and pamphlets and local council
mass mobilization and sensitization programs.