By Juliet Kasirye
“Seed is one of those that is being affected by climate change. Farmers say, some of these varieties are not able to withstand the shocks of climate change, and yet the farmers that are currently promoting indigenous seeds are able to withstand some of these challenges,” said Josephine Akia Luyimbazi Country Director of PELUM Uganda.
According to Luyimbazi, farmers say, that some varieties available such as hybrid, some improved varieties, or genetically modified cannot withstand the shocks of climate change.
In a scenario where a farmer has been devasted by a drought or flood, and they were not able to save seed, Luyimbazi said, through this programme, they have established a community seed bank where a farmer can comfortably access quality seed materials.
Additionally, Resilient Livelihoods manager at Oxfam Uganda, Charles Opiyo, climate change is contributing to the disappearance of some of the essential genetic materials.
“Farmers have to come up with the breeding objectives. They clearly highlight the trends they want in the crop and the selection of materials is based on the traits that they have outlined. Whether it is drought tolerant, early maturing, floods or water resistant.” Opiyo stated.
According to him, the variants are conditioned according to the different Agroecological conditions. As weather changes, the seeds that come from the farmer’s management system can adapt and they are resilient.
According to the head of programs at Pelum Uganda, Joshua Aijuka, Farmer managed seed systems which have been referred to in the policy as the informal seed system form over 75% of the seed that the farmers use and depend on.
Aijuka said there have been a few challenges in the informal seed sector over time because some of the good practices have eroded. For example, these days you find farmers at the beginning of the planting season they are going to the open market to buy grain in the name of seed.
“It is one of the reasons we are seeing low productivity in the sector. Our work in terms of strengthening the farmer seed system is looking at what are the best practices, and what can innovations and science bring on board.” Aijuka disclosed.
PHOTO CAPTION: Joshua Aijuka, Pelum Uganda head of programs interacts with Josephine Akia Luyimbazi (left), PELUM Uganda country Coordinator during a press conference about farmer managed seed systems caravan at PELUM Uganda in Ntinda. Photo by Juliet Kasirye
