characterising tree seed systems (input chains or value chains)
TRANSCRIPT
Characterising Tree Seed Systems
(Input chains or value chains)
Major Elements in a Tree Seed System
Seed Sources Seed Procurement Seed Distrib./Sale
The major elements of the commodity chain are the seed sources, the seed procurement methodology and the seed distribution/sale methodology
Types of Seed Sources
The type of seed source, used for description of the tree seed system, relates to the seed collection methods to be applied for the seed source.
SEED SOURCE TYPE
Natural Forests Natural vegetation, ranging from high forest to woodlands
Farmland Tree species on farms - planted or remnants of natural vegetation
Plantations Trees planted in a plantation or woodlot
Seed Orchards Trees planted in a plantation or woodlot, specifically for seed production
SOURCE TYPE
Vegetative propag. Grafts, stem cuttings, micro cuttings or somatic embryos propagated from selected clones or seedlings
NTSC National Tree Seed Centres
NARS National Agricultural Research Systems
NGO Non Governmental Organisations
FD Forest Departments
LG Local Governments
CBO Community Based Organisations
SD Seed Dealers
F Farmers
Major Actors in Tree Seed Supply Systems
Parameter Measure
Information flow needs Producers (high, low), Customers (high, low) Amounts Big, Medium, Small Species Diversity High, Medium, Low Outreach Few, Medium, High Costs High, Medium, Low Quality High, Medium, Low Sustainability High, Medium, Low Seed Handling Ability High, Low
Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of the Seed Supply System
Theoretical Number of Seed Systems
Se
ed
So
urc
e T
yp
e
Se
ed
So
urc
e O
wn
er
Se
ed
Pro
cu
rem
en
t M
eth
od
olo
gy
Se
ed
Dis
tribu
tion
Me
tho
do
log
y
Info
rma
tion
ne
ed
s
Am
ou
nts
of s
ee
d
Sp
ec
ies
div
ers
ity
Ou
trea
ch
Co
st o
f se
ed
Qu
ality
of s
ee
d
Su
sta
ina
bility
Se
ed
ha
nd
ling
ca
pa
bility
1 1-8 1-8 1-8 h,m,s h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,l
2 1-8 1-8 1-8 h,m,s h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,l
3 1-8 1-8 1-8 h,m,s h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,l
4 1-8 1-8 1-8 h,m,s h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,l
5 1-8 1-8 1-8 h,m,s h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,m,l h,l
All possible combinations of the parameters presented in ealier slide come to the number 11,197,440 (5x8x8x8x3x3x3x3x3x 3x3x2).
From 11,197,440 to ‘only’ 2,560 Seed Source Models
The values of the qualitative and quantitative parameters are a result of the combinations of the seed source type, the seed source owner, the seed procurement methodology and the seed distribution methodology
Seed
Sou
rce T
ype
Seed
Sou
rce O
wn
er
Seed
Pro
cu
rem
en
t Meth
od
olo
gy
Seed
Distrib
utio
nM
eth
od
olo
gy
1 1-8 1-8 1-8
2 1-8 1-8 1-8
3 1-8 1-8 1-8
4 1-8 1-8 1-8
5 1-8 1-8 1-8
From 2,560 to 40 Seed Systems
We use the seed source type as the entrance to the seed system, as we assume, that any agroforestry tree species can be referred to one or more of the five seed source types.
Seed Source Owner
Seed Procurement
Actor
Seed Distribtion
Actor
1 C C C
2 C C D
3 C D D
4 C D C
5 D D D
6 D D C
7 D C C
8 D C D
If we group the eight actors into two categories of actors, - a centralised and a decentralised, we will have only 8 (2x2x2) possible seed supply systems for each seed source type.
A centralised owner or actor is defined as an institution, company or ‘person’ of which only one or a very limited number exists, and a decentralised owner or actor is defined as an institution, company or ‘person’ of which many exists.
Definition of ‘Centralised/Decentralised’ in the
Seed System context
Centralised Owner/Actor Decentralised Owner/Actor
NTSC, NARS, FD, NGO, LG CBO, SD, F
The Validity of the ‘8 Principle Seed Models’
Let us evaluate the validity of each of the eight principle models, or in other words let us se if each of the eight principle models actually represent seed supply systems, which exist or can be established and working ‘in real life’.
Seed Supply Model
Example of operational Seed Supply Systems
1 CCC Centralised government/large NGO model NTSCs, NARS, NGOs
2 CCD Not applicable.
3 CDD Centralised seed sources, decentralised enterprise model
CBOs and SDs using NTSC’s sources
4 CDC Contract worker model CBO/F collect for NTSC
5 DDD Decentralised seed sources, decentralised enterprise model
CBOs,SDs, Fs
6 DDC Out-grower model, procurement done by producer
NTSCs, NARS, NGOs buying from CBO/F
7 DCC Out-grower model, procurement done by distributor
NTSCs, NARS, NGOs coll./sell from CBO/F sources
8 DCD Not applicable.
The 6 Valid Seed System Models
Mo
del
Info
flow
need
s
Am
ou
nts
Sp
p. D
iversity
Reach
Co
sts of seed
Qu
ality
Su
stainab
ility
Seed
Han
dlin
g
Ab
ility
1. CCC Customers - LOWProducers - LOW
B/M H/M/LL
(middlemen)H H M/L H
3. CDD Customers – HIGHProducers – LOW B/M/S H/M/L H/M L/M L/M H/M L
4. CDC Customers – LOW Producers – MEDIUM
B/M/S H/M/LL
(middlemen)H/M L/M/H M/L L
5. DDD Customers – HIGHProducers – HIGH
B/M/S H/M/L H/M L/M L/M H L
6. DDC Customers – LOWProducers - MEDIUM
B/M/S H/M/LL
(middlemen)M/H L/M M L
7. DCC Customers – LOWProducers – LOW
B/M/S H/M/LL
(middlemen)H/M M/H M/L H
Description and Evaluation of Seed Supply Systems for different Seed Sources
Mo
del
Info
flow
need
s
Am
ou
nts
Sp
p. D
iversity
Reach
Co
sts of seed
Qu
ality
Su
stainab
ility
Seed
Han
dlin
g
Ab
ility
1. CCC Customers - LOWProducers - LOW
B HL
(middlemen)H H M/L H
3. CDD Customers – HIGHProducers – LOW S H H M L M L
4. CDC Customers – LOW Producers – MEDIUM
S HL
(middlemen)H L M L
5. DDD Customers – HIGHProducers – HIGH
S L H M L H L
6. DDC Customers – LOWProducers - MEDIUM
S LL
(middlemen)H L M L
7. DCC Customers – LOWProducers – LOW
S LL
(middlemen)H H M/L H
“Natural Forest” Seed Source:
Assessment of Seed Supply System/Model in relation to the seed source type “Natural forest”
• 1.CCC: The most efficient model for larger scale seed collection and distribution and it is the only model that can ensure a larger scale introduction of indigenous species on farmland.
• 2.CDD and 4.CDC: These models may only be feasible for small scale collection and if used for larger scale introduction of species on farmland, it would lead to introduction of inferior material.
• 5.DDD, 6. DDC, and 7. DCC These models may only be feasible for small scale collection and if used for larger scale introduction of species on farmland, they would lead to introduction of inferior material.
Assessment of Seed Supply System/Model in relation to the other 4 seed source types
‘Farmland’:
DDD: Informal seed exchange between farmers (through gifts, barter and sale) is the common form of introduction of a species into a landscape and informal seed exchange is the way that species are commonly retained when landscapes are transformed from forest lands to farmland.Commercial operations takes place on a modest scale at many small scale nurseries that source seed from farmlands around the nursery.
DDC and CDC: Many NGOs encourage collection of seed from farmland, when supporting tree planting by farmers. A common DDC is that NGOs/projects finance the collection of seed from farmlands by farmers and then provide free seed to farmers through support to establishment of nurseries. This model may be the most frequent model of seed distribution to farmers in many tropical countries. CDC is used, when NTSC hire villagers to collect from their seed sources.
DCC: In this model the control of the seed source is with the farmer, while seed procurement and distribution is under the control of a central organisation.
A general picture of the five channels/sources of germplasm
Use of Methodology in Seed Supply System Development
It is our belief and hope, that the method can be used for:
1. Describing existing seed systems by clarifying the roles of the various actors and the pros and cons of the system in general.
2. Identifying alternative seed systems by defining which of the qualitative and quantitative parameters should be given highest priority in any given seed supply situation.
3. Identifying/proposing new roles for the actors already involved in the seed system in question.
4. Identifying the inputs needed to make the a seed system functioning.