3 Review(s)

This publication presents the report, case studies and background papers of the International Workshop on Developing Institutional Agreements and Capacity to Assist Farmers in Disaster Situations to Restore Agricultural Systems and Seed Security Activities, held at FAO headquarters in Rome from 3 to 5 November 1998. The workshop was organized by FAO's Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service under the framework of the FAO/Norway Cooperative Programme. Its objectives were twofold. First, it aimed to develop strategies to improve the capacity of disaster-prone countries to prepare farmer seed systems to minimize the effects of disasters and to promote mechanisms that will enable countries and their rural farming communities to identify, acquire, multiply and deliver seed of locally adapted varieties before, during, and after disasters. Second, the workshop sought to determine mechanisms of collaboration for a continuing partnership among governments and institutions involved in the maintenance or restoration of farmer seed systems, plant genetic resources and seed security after disasters. The main output from the workshop was a strong recommendation that FAO should explore the possibility of supporting the establishment of a Seed Security Consultative Group, under the auspices of FAO, with a broad constituency including all stakeholders involved in efforts to rehabilitate agricultural production systems affected by disaster. This consultative group would coordinate efforts to conserve locally adapted plant genetic resources, to harmonize seed rules and regulations and to disseminate information on lessons learned about strengthening farmer seed systems in disaster-prone regions. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Case Studies  Seed and plant genetic resources restoration in conflict and disaster situations in angola by Elizabeth M Matos  Agricultural recovery and emergency seed restoration in the post disaster situation of angola: world vision international by Claude Nankam  Emergency seed supply in afghanistan by N S Tunwar  Emergency production of high quality seed for war affected area is bosnia and herzegovina by Mona s chaya, Les distribution gratuites d'intrants agricoles et les programmes de multiplication de semences au rw anda de 1994 A 1998 by Jan-Francois Gascon The effects of the rwandan war on crop production, seed security and varietal security: a comparison of two crops by Louise Sperling  Chapter 2: Background Papers  Characterizing disasters by Francois Grunewald  Farmer seed systems by Temba M Musa  Farmer seed systems and disaster by Catherine Longley and Paul Richards  Plant genetic resources and disaster by Catherind Longley and Paul Richards  Plant genetic resources and seed relief by Toby Hobgkin and Murthi Anishetty  Regulatory aspects of seed security by Miels P Louwaars and R Tripp Seed stocks and seed multiplication in emergency situations by I Sikora, W Fiebig and E Sgaravati  Food and seed assistance in the recovery from crisis by Deborah Hines, S Wickrema and L Van Straaten  Restoration of seed systems and plant genetic resources after disasters: A synthesis of the background papers by Victor N Bushamuka.