IX.2. POTATO SEED SYSTEMS

IX.2.1. CURRENT SITUATION

There is no formal seed system now operating for potato. Since it is very important for the future, it is best to start developing a system at the earliest possible time.

Although 100% of the seed comes from informal sources, there is no significant informal system operating at present either. although some progressive farmers are aware of good potato producers in the higher elevations who provide seed from their surplus. The history of the seed is, however, unknown.

It is important that a way should be found for farmers in Afghanistan to procure good seed. This seed could come from other potato growing areas. Storage is not a problem for farmers in certain districts due to ideal climatic conditions after harvest. They could keep seed for the next season if they are trained to produce and keep seed correctly and if seed plot techniques are carried out correctly. There is an URGENT need to train these farmers on producing a good crop. Production should be for a good ware crop. If they are to produce healthy seed for planting, seed production conditions such as aphid dynamics, etc., need to be assessed for the mid and lower elevations.

The formal system must be rehabilitated in the long-run. Formal seed production should support farmer-to-farmer seed exchange and other seed production through the informal system.

IX.2.2. FORMAL SEED SYSTEM

At present, no formal seed production system exists, although plans for such a system were in place prior to the beginning of the war against terrorism. This plan was through an FAO-funded project, TCP/AFG/8921 Rehabilitation of Sustainable Potato Production in Afghanistan. Plans were to develop three research centers for potato in (1) in Kabul, the Qargha Potato Research & Development Center in the mid-elevations, (2) in Jalalabad, the Sheesham Bagh Potato Research & Development Center in the low elevations, and the (3) Ghanzi Potato Research & Development Center in the high elevations. However, only two were developed by repairing existing buildings, supply of machinery, etc. The buildings at the Ghanzi station were rehabilitated but machinery, etc., could not be supplied due to disturbances in that area during the war. Center rehabilitation could not be completed by the end of 2001.

No micro-propagation system for basic seed exists, although an RMT facility was installed in the Qargha R&D station. At present, this station is not functional. Repairs need to be done to this facility and the RMT operation should be re-started to produce planting materials.

IX.2.3. ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH FORMAL SEED PRODUCTION

The FAO potato project envisaged that basic seed production would be part of the activities of the research stations, as would seed production. Healthy seed of potato varieties Charmaghz Panai, Shingullai and Cardinal obtained by selection from progressive farmers were produced in October 2000 and stored for use in field trials in 2001. These activities were to be done in the Qargha Potato R&D center in Kabul. Trials were planned for Nangarhar, Logar, Wardak, Ghazni and Farah provinces. Limited specific demonstrations/experimental trials were planned for farmer fields using the stored potato seed in Farah and Jalababad. Demonstrations were to be done by the Qargha Center in farmer fields in Kabul, Logar, Wardak and Ghazni. A number of Chinese potato varieties were also tested and planted in the spring of 2001 in Ghazni, Kabul Wadak and Logar for testing and multiplication. 15 potato cultivars from CIP developed as tubers in NARC(Pakistan) were brought into Afghanistan in 2001 for multiplication, testing and release purposes. Six leading Afghan potato varieties were sent to Faisalabad, Pakistan, for cleaning and are expected for planting and multiplication soon. 5 TPS progenies were received from CIP and were planted in Kabul, Jalalabad and Farah in 2001. Limited evaluation trials are still being continued even after the sudden conclusion of the project due to funding limitations. There is no data on the evaluation trials available as yet.

IX.2.4. INFORMAL SEED SYSTEM AND SEED QUALITY

At present, 100% of requirements for potato seed are met by informal seed supply.

Availability of healthy good quality seed is a major constraint to potato production. Seed procurement by farmers has been mainly through the open market from potatoes grown for consumption or from their own crop produced in the previous season. Seed selection varies in different regions, and depends on farmers' judgment on seed quality, mainly from experience.

Low-quality degenerated seed is used for planting when no other seed is available. Fields visited showed virus-infected plants as much as 40-50% in some fields. Potato seed used is highly degenerated. Although climatic conditions may be ideal for potato production in the different agro-ecologies in Afghanistan, the use of degenerated seed for planting results in progressively low yields. In some instances, seed in Southern Afghanistan is procured from the higher altitudes and often from commercial markets. Cutting seed into pieces containing two to three eyes, and leaving no time for suberization prior to planting, adds to disease problems after planting.

Very little knowledge exists within the farming community on good production practices for ware and seed potato, especially in procuring healthy seed in the informal seed supply system. Farmers base all judgments on experience. Better cultivation techniques coupled with healthy seed will help them obtain better yields.

IX.2.5. SOURCES AND PRICES OF INFORMAL SEED

Sources of informal seed vary, and include seed from neighboring farmers, friends, relatives, merchants and commercial markets where potato is sold for consumption.

There is no price differential between local market prices for ware (food) potato and for potato for seed. Although there is movement of seed among different farming areas and agro-ecologies, mainly from the higher elevations to the mid-elevations, no significant informal production specifically for seed takes place.

IX.2.6. INFORMAL SEED PRODUCTION AREAS

There is no specific agro-ecology presently identified for seed production in any of the three agro-ecologies, although Jalalabad and Bhamian probably will be best for fall and spring planting respectively, based on climatic regimes and aphid dynamics in these areas.

IX.2.7. AGRO-TECHNIQUES USED FOR SEED PRODUCTION

Informal seed production is limited to sale of excess potatoes by farmers. Certain farmers have developed small plots for seed, but do not practice seed plot techniques for production of healthy seed.

Farmers do not follow agro-techniques for seed production. Seed treatment is not practiced. They are not aware of the seed plot technique or any other good production practices. Training will be essential to provide knowledge to farmers on how to produce good quality seed.

IX.3. CONSTRAINTS TO POTATO PRODUCTION

IX.3.1. AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY SEED

For many crop production systems in Afghanistan, a major constraint for increasing production is the availability of quality seed. This is in addition to other constraints such as varieties, crop protection, storage and marketing, all important for the production of good seed. This is also true for potato. Most potato seed is produced, managed and distributed by farmers informally. Potatoes reproduce asexually and clonally; small tubers saved from one harvest become the seed for the next season. About 10% of total production is normally reserved for seed. Potato seed--unlike other seed--is costly, bulky and perishable. Diseases are transmitted within the seed tubers; yields gradually decline as seed degenerate and become more and more infected. Formal seed systems are designed to supply good quality seed with low disease content, and are produced in areas where disease pressure is low and healthy seed can be multiplied and sold to other farmers.

Production of quality seed depends on a system of tissue-culture-based rapid multiplication under controlled net-house conditions with strict quality control. Institutional arrangements are typically complicated and require several government agencies to collaborate. As such, it is particularly susceptible to disruption during times of civil strife or economic pressure.

IX.3.2. POOR-QUALITY SEED SUPPLIED BY THE INFORMAL SYSTEM

Since Afghanistan's formal seed system does not function, farmers depend on the informal system for potato tuber seed. This is through their own production or from farmer-to-farmer. The seed thus procured is of poor quality, but is still used for generations. The virus load in the potato increases with each year's production cycle. The result is poor-quality seed which is badly degenerated. Rapid seed degeneration is mostly due to sub-optimal agronomic practices by farmers who are unaware of improved agro-techniques for seed and ware potato production.

IX.3.3. LACK OF TRAINING FOR FARMERS, TRAINERS, EXTENSIONISTS AND RESEARCHERS

Farmers, researchers and extension staff involved in potato programs have not received sufficient training on ICM (Integrated Crop Management). Although some farmers were trained by the FAO potato project, follow-up and continuity were prevented and training therefore has not effective. Trained personnel in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock have been transferred to other positions and are not available in potato research and development programs.

IX.3.4. SCREENING/EVALUATION OF LOCATION-SPECIFIC HIGH-YIELDING VARIETIES

This is very important. At present, it is only done at the research centers initiated by the FAO potato project. Present evaluation programs are limited and need to be enhanced. Without a proper evaluation procedure, improvements to existing varieties or testing improved varieties for release cannot take place. Farmers are deprived of access to good varieties which provide better economic returns. These activities must be strengthened in order to have a mechanism to access, evaluate and recommend improved varieties for release.