Appropriate Seed Varieties for Small-scale Farmers, Key practices for DRR Implementers

FAO-COOPI- UNHABITAT/SAIO/2014. Appropriate Seed Varieties for Small-scale Farmers, Key practices for DRR Implementers, presented here provides concise and clear descriptions of the key aspects for the promotion of quality seed of appropriate varieties for use by small-scale farmers, in the context of the disaster risk reduction/management (DRR/M) activities in the southern African region. This brief is appropriate for field staff of FAO and its implementing partners involved in DRR/M programmes. It provides basic technical knowledge required for operations related to seed, including introduction of new crop varieties, seed acquisition and seed production/multiplication by farmers. Government officers, extension workers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will also find this document useful as a reference for training activities, and when planning and implementing initiatives related to appropriate seed aimed at improving the livelihoods of rural communities.This brief is part of the series, A Field Guide for Disaster Risk Reduction in Southern Africa: Key Practices for DRR Implementers, coordinated by the FAO Sub regional Office for Disaster Risk Reduction/Management for Southern Africa. This series has been produced with contributions from COOPI, FAO, OCHA and UN-Habitat. It has been produced under the project “Regional Multi Regional DRR Assistance Programme for Southern Africa: Information Management and Health” ECHO/-SF/EDF/2012/01004.