Germplasm Supply, Propagation and Nursery Management of Miombo Fruit Trees - Indigenous Fruit Trees in the Tropics: Domestication, Utilization and Commercialization - page 345

19.2.2 Germplasm delivery pathways
Lack of adequate understanding of germplasm delivery pathways increases
frustration among users (Chilanga et al. , 2002). Therefore, the delivery
pathways currently available, or those in need of creation, need to be identified
to ensure the availability of improved germplasm. The pathways of germplasm
delivery include distribution to national agricultural research systems (NARS),
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), communities, the private sector,
dissemination to farmers and diffusion by farmer-to-farmer exchange (Simons,
1996). Very little information is available on the demand and supply of
miombo fruit tree germplasm. It is crucial that germplasm demand is real and
not just perceived. Therefore, practical methods for accurately forecasting the
amount of miombo fruit tree germplasm that will be available have been
developed (A.J. Simons, unpublished results). ICRAF uses a number of case
studies to examine how much germplasm will be needed, by whom, when, and
for how long. In Malawi, for instance, at the beginning of each planting season,
germplasm demand by farmers was established through questionnaires sent to
the various partners involved in promoting agroforestry. In this way seed
demand for each year was established and plans to source the seeds were
drawn up. Seed was sourced through local collections from seed stands,
purchase from national tree seed centres and the Forestry Research Institute of
Malawi (Chilanga et al. , 2002). More than 100 t of seeds have been distributed
to farmers through partners in the region in the last decade. Key constraints in
tree seed supply have been identified and ways to reduce their effect are being
developed. Technical requirements for decentralized germplasm supply systems
have also been elaborated elsewhere (Böhringer et al ., 2001).
Farmers' nurseries as a pathway for germplasm delivery
Farmers have consistently cited the lack of quality germplasm as a major
constraint on the diversification and expansion of their agroforestry practices
(Simons, 1996; Weber et al. , 2001; Akinnifesi et al ., 2006; Carandang et al. ,
2007). Supporting farmer nurseries was suggested to be one pathway for
promoting decentralized tree seedling production in an efficient way, while at
the same time providing opportunities for building natural resource, human
and social capital, all three being considered equally crucial in developing more
sustainable land use systems (Böhringer et al. , 2003). Roshetko and Verbist
(2000) recognized three pathways in which improved germplasm can be made
available to farmers: (i) through distribution of seed originating from national
research centres, community-based NGOs and the private sector; (ii) through
the dissemination of selected seeds originating from farmers and farmer
groups; and (iii) by direct diffusion through informal farmer-to-farmer
exchange. In indigenous fruit tree domestication, the extent to which the
establishment of nurseries by smallholder farmers can be strengthened through
training will determine the success and sustainability of new tree crop
development. This includes training smallholder farmers to collect quality
germplasm (seed, buds, cuttings, marcotts and/or scions) from superior trees in