|
Working
with a women’s farmer association in maize seed production
J.
Kikafunda, G. Bigirwa, J. Imanywoha, S. Mugo & D. Beck
Seed production is a highly
specialized venture which requires significant capital investment,
technical know-how and a good distribution system, among other things.
Because of the associated investments, commercial production is
generally too expensive for small-scale farmers. Hence, farmers tend to
continue growing home-saved seed. This paper reports on the join
collaboration between the National Maize Research Program (NMRP) of
Uganda and a farmer group, the Bakusekamajja Women’s Development
Association, based in Iganga district, Eastern Uganda. The association
ventured into seed production with the objective of improving maize
production for the social well-being of the people in the area.
The association approached the NMRP for advice and assistance.
Training was offered to the association starting from 1997.
Recent support to the group has been in terms of supply of breeder seed,
seed treatments and linkages to the seed national certifying agency.
The association has transformed itself into a successful
community based seed production group producing 17 hectares of certified
seed every year. The seed produced is sold at a relatively lower cost
compared to seed produced by the private seed companies. This paper
discusses the different forms of collaboration and working experience
the national maize research program has had with the farmers’
association which has transformed itself into a successful community
based seed production group.
|
