Selecting crop varieties is a key resilience strategy for farmers facing changing climatic conditions. There are two types of seed varieties: traditional varieties and improved varieties. Traditional varieties have been selected by farmers for their special characteristics and due to many years of selecting the strongest seeds over generations, they are generally adapted to local natural conditions. In some respects, these seeds increase the chance of getting a return on investment in stable environments, but are less likely to mitigate GHG emissions. Traditional crop varieties are usually selected by small scale farmers due to their relatively low cost and availability and can be saved and replanted for further growing seasons. Improved varieties are seeds that have been altered by scientific processes to incorporate desired characteristics using techniques such as following pure line breeding, classical breeding, hybridisation and molecular breeding. Desirable characteristics include higher yields, shorter growing seasons, drought resistance, salt tolerance, etc. Improved varieties are selected when facing adverse conditions such as higher temperatures and/or less predictable rainfall and normally result in the efficient use of water reducing use of energy for irrigation systems. While these seeds offer improvements they are usually commercial products and as a result can be expensive. Furthermore, as they are sold by seed companies availability is driven by demand. Most seed companies protect enhancements using intellectual property rights that legally limit seed saving and replanting of seeds. In fact, many of these seed varieties have been designed to prevent plants to be reseeded. Thus, seed varieties afford farmers the opportunity to incorporate crops that can be planted to exploit their unique characteristics – traditional or improved, assisting farmers to grow crops that are resilient to changing climates to produce crops that are market-appropriate.
To effectively undertake leverage traditional seed characteristics, or improved crop varieties the following should be carried out:
- Step 1: Prior to selecting seed varieties, perform a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to identify how crops will perform and their benefits compared to the costs of the seed, considering the following:
- Local farming system(s): land availability per household, crops traditionally grown, access to inputs such as fertilisers,
- Local environmental conditions: soil conditions, disease, pests, climatic conditions, occurrence of flooding/droughts and other natural disasters.
- How climate change has impacted or will impact the farming system and how crop variety selection can be a climate- smart practice.
- Local access to seeds – is seed collected at the householder level, do neighbours exchange seeds, do farmers have access to commercially produced seeds? Are the costs for accessing commercial, improved seeds manageable or prohibitive? The CBA should weigh the benefits of a new seed against perceived actual or transactional costs for selecting a new seed.
- Step 2: Obtain information and guidance from local experts, lead farmers, and government regarding best varieties to grow.
- Step 3: Evaluate results of the CBA and select appropriate seeds that match the farm system/requirements, and available financial resources/access to credit.
- Step 4: Plant test plots of selected seeds to understand if benefits are realised and demonstrate outcomes with farmers, showing possible alternatives and discuss implementation.
- Step 5: Following full demonstration and discussion with farmers, implement at farm level – planting the first crop in accordance with guidance provided by seed provider, or traditional knowledge.
Consider in-country seed sources to access different varieties through local extension or research services. When buying seeds ensure that the seeds are adequately dry and look for seed that is certified by a national seed laboratory to ensure that the variety is the highest quality possible. Seeds should be properly stored to avoid high temperatures and humid air to reduce chances of early germination.
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2014. Appropriate Seed Varieties for Small-scale Farmers. Rome, Italy.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2005. Horticulture Marketing. Rome, Italy.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2014. Management of Crop Diversity. Rome, Italy.
Benefits
- Exploring crop variety is a key way for farmers to grow more resilient crops within the context of changing climatic conditions. Drought resistant or faster maturing varieties, for example, allow you to respond to reduced rainfall conditions.
- Improved crop varieties have been altered by scientific processes to incorporate desired characteristics.
- Understanding local context is important when researching the best crop variety for the area.
Drawbacks
- Improved crop varieties are commercially sold and can be expensive as they often require additional inputs (inorganic fertilisers etc.)
- Traditional crops have generally adapted to local climatic and landscape conditions, are widely available and are cost effective for local populations; however, these varieties may not be resilient to climatic changes, and are less likely to mitigate GHG emissions.
