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Vegetable Genebank Management and Seed Production Systems National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Vientiane, Lao PDR 17 -21 February 2014 Training Report

Vegetable Genebank Management and Seed Production Systems

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Page 1: Vegetable Genebank Management and Seed Production Systems

Vegetable Genebank Management

and Seed Production Systems

National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI)

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Vientiane, Lao PDR

17 -21 February 2014

Training Report

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The Network for Knowledge Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Improved Market Linkages in South and Southeast Asia (SATNET Asia) aims to support innovation by strengthening South–South dialogue and intraregional learning on sustainable agriculture technologies and trade facilitation. Funded by the European Union, SATNET facilitates knowledge transfer through the development of a portfolio of best practices on sustainable agriculture, trade facilitation and innovative knowledge sharing. Based on this documented knowledge, it delivers a range of capacity building programmes to network participants.

SATNET Asia is implemented by the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) in collaboration with the AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), the Food Security Centre of the University of Hohenheim and the Trade and Investment Division of UNESCAP.

This report has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are those of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the United Nations or the European Union. The report has been issued without formal editing.

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Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Key learning and outcomes ................................................................................................................. 5

1. Introductions, welcome and preliminaries ................................................................................... 5

2. Status of vegetable production in Lao PDR ................................................................................ 5

3. Seed saving and seed production technology ............................................................................ 6

4. Seed bank management ............................................................................................................. 8

5. Field trip: community seed production areas in Vientiane Province. .......................................... 8

6. Policy discussion on germplasm handling and seed exchange .................................................. 8

7. Way forward ................................................................................................................................ 9

Annexes ............................................................................................................................................... 10

Annex 1: Training Programme .......................................................................................................... 10

Annex 2: List of participants .............................................................................................................. 12

Annex 3: Training course evaluation results ..................................................................................... 13

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Introduction

In Lao PDR, vegetables are grown mostly in home gardens, riverbank gardens during the dry season, on small field areas intercropped with fruit trees and/or rice. The country is rich in diversity for both cultivated and traditional crops. Other than for rice, very little efforts have been made to collect, conserve, characterise, and utilise for development such crops that are traditionally used by the Lao farmers. Sustainable management of seeds is found to be a strategy to achieve food security and reduce poverty (HHRC, NAFRI, Lao PDR, 2004). The government of Lao PDR through the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry confirmed that training on genebank management to provincial research institutes will improve the capacity of researchers and extension officers in the production and conservation of vegetable seeds. A training session on “Genebank Management and Seed Production Systems” was developed and conducted by AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center East and Southeast Asia regional office, in collaboration with National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute through the Hatdokeo Horticulture Research Center at Vientiane, Lao PDR from 17 to 21 February 2014. The training was facilitated through the Network for Knowledge Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Improved Market Linkages in South and Southeast Asia (SATNET Asia), a project funded by the European Union (EU). SATNET Asia catalyses knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices on sustainable agriculture, trade facilitation and innovative knowledge sharing through a range of capacity-building programmes to network participants. The goal is to enable participants to in turn transfer this knowledge to those who need it most – smallholder farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs.AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center supports SATNET Asia through implementing capacity building activities in four targeted Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. A total of 15 participants, 7 male and 8 female, attended the training and represented provincial government research and extension agencies that worked closely with NAFRI (Annex 1). The specific objectives of the training on “Genebank Management and Seed Production Systems” were to:

(1) understand the vegetable seed industry in Lao PDR, (2) define appropriate and applicable seed production technologies, (3) identify seed saving principles and practices, (4) identify management practices in establishing and sustaining community seed banks, (5) develop a plan on how to extend the knowledge and skills gained during the training.

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Key learning and outcomes

1. Introductions, welcome and preliminaries

In his opening remarks, Linkham Douangsavanh, Deputy Director General of NAFRRI emphasized the increasing importance of fruits and vegetables to address food security and nutrition in the country as one of the priority areas of the national government. He thanked Robert Holmer, Regional Director East and Southeast Asia for the increased involvement of AVRDC in further strengthening the vegetable sector through increased capacity building and joint research and development activities and encouraged the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement to institutionalize the collaboration between AVRDC and the government of Laos. Robert Holmer presented the general overview of AVRDC and its works in the region. He further highlighted that the partnership between AVRDC and NAFRI has resulted to increasing number of researchers trained with AVRDC’s International Vegetable Training Course (IVTC) and specialized training courses at AVRDC’s headquarters, Taiwan. Such partnership in capacity building programs will be further enhanced through the SATNET Asia project of which the in country training programs formed part.

Bounnueng Douangboupha, Director of HRC, assisted by Souvanh Thadavong, Deputy Director and Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong, Head of Vegetable Research Division, welcomed 15 participants hailing from different government agricultural research stations and the National University of Laos. Lectures and practical exercises were given by Andreas Ebert, Global Theme Leader – Germplasm and Genebank Manager, with support from Sheila de Lima, Admin and Training Officer, and Somchit Pruangwitayakun, Research and Training Assistant, who also acted as the official translator for the different training sessions.

2. Status of vegetable production in Lao PDR

Dr. Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong, Head of Vegetable Research Division of the Horticulture Research Center, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Lao PDR have an overview of the vegetable production situation and the status of germplasm management in Lao. The government through the National Agriculture and Forestry Institute (NAFRI) have collected the germplasm of local varieties of vegetables for screening, improvement of varieties that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses and for the conservation of biodiversity of local vegetables in the country.

Participants with Dr. LinkhamDuangsavanh, Deputy Director General of NAFRI

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A brief plenary on key issues and problems on seeds and seed production systems in Lao was discussed. These are the following:

- Collection of traditional vegetable seeds seed to be enhanced through the provincial agriculture offices.

- To improve the quality of seeds available locally - To improve the systems of germplasm unit and seedbank at the Hatdokeo Horticulture

Research Center (HRC) of NAFRI.

3. Seed saving and seed production technology

a. Introduction to conservation and plant genetic resources.

Seed quality plays an imperative role in agricultural production and hence to food and nutrition security. Seeds are the carriers of genetic diversity. To understand the terminologies and context of plant genetic conservation, Dr. Andreas Ebert presented and discussed the following:

- Global situation on nutrition: global hunger and micronutrient deficiency - The role of AVRDC and others in combating global hunger - The importance of food diversification, diet, to fulfill nutrition requirements - Global interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition - AVRDC’s works in germplasm conservation and genebank management The session enabled the participants to appreciate and connect the importance of seed conservation and availability to support the growing population.

b. Seed saving involves series of processes that include selecting suitable, healthy plants

from which to save seeds, harvesting the fruits or pods at the right time, extracting, cleaning and drying the seed, packaging and storing them under proper conditions. Each of the processes was thoroughly discussed in this session and the case of AVRDC tomato seed practices and regeneration was presented as an example. The session also provided an opportunity of the participants to share their traditional practices in seed saving and preliminary assessments on seed viability and quality. The participants appreciated seed regeneration and the factors affecting seed quality, both during seed production phase and during seed processing and storage phase, is vital for community seedbanks to be a success.

The participants gained practical experience of seed saving technologies and in particular on methods for seed extraction, seed cleaning, seed drying and seed germination.

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Dr. Andreas Ebert led the participants during the exercise on seed cleaning and sorting

Exercises on seed germination testing

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4. Seed bank management

Community seed banks are established to combat seed insecurity. It does not only involve seeds but the collective effort of the community members to effectively manage the seed collection, to regenerate, produce, distribute and preserve seeds. Seed banks need to be effectively managed to perform these tasks. Dr. Andreas Ebert presented the main elements of establishing and managing seed banks

a. Management (structure, rules/policies involved) b. Basic infrastructure c. Crops to start with d. Best planting season for these crops and how to best manage them, special care, seed

extraction, drying The participants visited the seedbank facility of NAFRI inside the compound of Hatdokeo Horticulture Research Center and had a discussion on how it can further be improved and how to maximize its utility to benefit the small farmers in the country. Action points discussed are highlighted in the planning session. See item no 7 on “way forward”.

5. Field trip: community seed production areas in Vientiane Province.

Participants visited the Agriculture Research Center (ARC), National Genebank and Seed Development Company. They interacted with the researchers of ARC and were able to learn the research activities of the center which focused rice and other important agricultural commodities (fruits, root crops and forest trees). At the national genebank, participants discussed on the various collections of germplasm and how it can link to the provincial horticultural research centers. The seed production facility on the other hand focused on conservation and improvement of maize varieties.

Participants visited the laboratory facilities of ARC (left);

checking the improved variety of maize (right)

6. Policy discussion on germplasm handling and seed exchange

Andreas Ebert presented the policy issues involved in germplasm handling and seed exchange. These are the following:

- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGR) - Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) - Sharing arrangements - Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patents

The participants recognized the importance of having an overview on these policies as most of them are involved in seed conservation, handling and exchange.

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7. Way forward

The participants discussed their key learning and insights from the training and what key points they would be taking forward.

• The simple methods in seed saving techniques are very applicable to local situation and can be implemented

• Involve and train the agricultural extension workers in seed conservation, production, regeneration and saving

• Further training for the researchers at HRC on applied and advance germplasm management for the improvement of seedbank facility at NAFRI

• Integrate into community planning the collection and conservation of indigenous varieties of vegetables

• To link with international institution such as AVRDC for access to quality seeds and varieties

• Share the knowledge and skills gained to farmers.

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Annexes

Annex 1: Training Programme

Monday, 17 February Arrival of participants

09.00 -12.00 Welcome and Introduction

Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh Deputy Director General, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR Dr. Robert Holmer Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Bangkok, Thailand Expectation setting and Course Overview Ms. Sheila de Lima Admin and Training Officer, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Bangkok, Thailand Introduction to AVRDC and SATNET Asia project Dr. Robert Holmer Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch Break

13.00 – 16.00 Vegetable Production Situation in Lao PDR Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong Head of Vegetable Research Division, Hatdokeo Horticulture Research Center, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR

Tuesday,18 February

09.00 12.00 Seed saving and seed production technologies Dr. Andreas Ebert Genebank Manager/Theme Leader, Germplasm, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan

12.00 – 13.00

Lunch Break

13.00 – 16.00 Seed saving and seed production technologies Dr. Andreas Ebert Genebank Manager/Theme Leader, Germplasm, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Centerm, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan

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Wednesday, 19 February 09.00 12.00 Germplasm / seedbank management

Dr. Andreas Ebert Genebank Manager/Theme Leader, Germplasm, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch Break

13.00 – 16.00 Seedbank Management Dr. Andreas Ebert Genebank Manager/Theme Leader, Germplasm, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

Thursday, 20 February 09.00 – 12.00

Field trip to seed production and storage facility

13.30 – 15.30 Policy discussion on seed conservation and germplasm exchange Dr. Andreas Ebert Genebank Manager/Theme Leader, Germplasm, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

Friday, 21 February

09.00 – 12.00 Planning – way forward Course evaluation Closing program

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Annex 2: List of participants

Name Organization Contacts

1. Mrs. Pheunphit Soisouvanh Agriculture Research Center (ARC), NAFRI

2. Mr. Saisana Phomsavang Agriculture Research Center (ARC), NAFRI

3. Mrs. Boutsamay Southammavong Clean Agriculture Development Center, DOA, MAF)

4. Mr. Somphan Phengkhamtha Clean Agriculture Development Center, DOA, MAF)

5. Mr. Boua Xaysavang Plant Protection Center, DOA, MAF

6. Ms. Dengonchanch Thammavong Plant Protection Center, DOA, MAF

7. Mr. Khamfone Payakeo DAFRC, Oudomxay Province

8. Mr. Seua Thipphalangsri DAFRC, Oudomxay Province

9. Mr. Phathana Sengounkeo Horticulture Research Center, NAFRI

[email protected]

10. Mr. Sengdala Nounalath Horticulture Research Center, NAFRI

[email protected]

11. Ms. Phone Inthavong Horticulture Research Center, NAFRI

12. Ms. Khamvend Silampood Horticulture Research Center, NAFRI

13. Ms. Manyvone Soydalar Horticulture Research Center, NAFRI

14. Mrs. Phoiphet Southavong Faculty of Agriculture at Nabong, National University of Laos

15. Mrs. Pem Louangsakda Faculty of Agriculture at Nabong, National University of Laos

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Annex 3: Training course evaluation results

The training evaluation process was conducted through the following: Evaluation questionnaires or the KAP (knowledge, attitude, practice) survey was

distributed to the participants at the end of the training course

Highlights of the KAP Survey: KAP survey was completed by 13 participants out of the 15 registered participants of the training. The 2 participants left the training for an important official trip. Key findings of the survey are the following:

1. Content. The session on seed saving and seed production was rated highest with

average rate of 3.88 (4-highest/excellent, 1-lowest/poor) followed by policy issues on germplasm handling seed exchange (3.46); seedbank management (3.22) and vegetable production situation in Lao(3.08). The participants rated the usefulness of the all sessions as “good”.

2. Process. The participants rated the overall process of the training (agenda and flow, facilitation, materials) as “good” with an average rate 2.85.

3. Comments from the participants in relation content and process:

- More detailed and practical handouts - To implement seed storage at the community level - Increase the number of days of the training - To focus more on practical exercises - Documents, handouts and references could be translated to Lao language

4. Aspects of the training which could be improved:

- More days of the training - More application

5. Key learning gained from the training:

- Seed storage and genebank management - Seed regeneration techniques - Gained more understanding of the on seed conservation - Seed selection, cleaning and germination

6. Changes and improvement participants will undertake after the training

- Implement seedbank at the community level - Improve the existing genebanks - Share learning to colleagues through focused training - Improve daily work routine - More practice in seed production technologies

7. Participants rated high the applicability of learning gained from the training. 28% said

“most of it”, 64% “about half’ and 9% said “a little”

8. Sharing of learning. 100% of the participants said that they are going to share their learning to others, repeatedly mentioned are the colleagues, staff and farmers.