- Is the quality and germination of the seed acceptable?
Check if the seed has been, or can be, reliably and independently tested. If necessary,
have the seed tested, by the best means available—see 3B, “Seed Purchase
Procedures”, pages 310–312 and 1Fa, “Germination”, pages 46–52.
Very often “old” seed (12–18 months or more) is acceptable, depending on the species,
storage conditions etc. - Is the seed treated, or does it require inoculation?
Investigate if this is desirable or not. If the seed is treated, make sure the beneficiaries
are informed of any possible dangers, and if appropriate make a food distribution at the
same time as the seed distribution (“seed protection”)—see 1Fe, “Inoculation/Nitrogen,
Fixation”, pages 54–57 and 1Ff, “Seed Treatment” page 57–59. - Is germination likely to be a problem?
Check the age (ie harvest date) of seed and find out how it has been stored and
handled—see1Fa, “Germination”, pages 46–52. - Logistics
- Is there sufficient logistic support for the planned programme?
Investigate the availability of trucks, tractors, planes etc for hire, in addition to any “in-
house” transport. Sometimes it happens that imported seed or tools can be delivered
closer (and therefore more rapidly and/or cheaply) to the distribution points than those
purchased “locally” within the country (and vice versa). - Are all the tools and seed to be delivered at the same time?
If transport is limited, investigate the possibilities of spreading the logistic burden by
distributing other types of seed with different planting dates. - Is the available storage large enough, and dry and secure?
Investigate. Seed should be stored as dry and cool as possible—see 1O, “Storage”. - Soils
Soil samples must be taken carefully to get an accurate idea of the whole field or area.
One easy way is to walk right across the field to be sampled in a “W” shape. The W is
walked and several samples are taken at random points along it. - Are the soils mainly acid, alkaline or neutral?
If it is appropriate, have representative soil samples analysed. Check on the influence of
the soil pH—see 1Cc, “pH Value” and2 A–G, “Crop Descriptions—soil”. - Are the soils deficient in any of the essential elements?
If the soils are low in Nitrogen, consider introducing legumes such as Leucaena or
Acacia albida trees, clovers, beans etc—see 1C, “Soil”, pages 11–19, 2B, “Legumes”
pages 150–188 and 2G, “Underexploited Crops”, pages 266–287. - Do the soils have harmful levels of any trace elements or salts?
If so, investigate the possibility of providing seed/cuttings etc of crops which tolerate
these conditions—see 1Ca, “Saline Soils”, pages 15–17 and 1Cd, “Trace Elements”,
pages 23–29.
elle
(Elle)
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