5.5 E Local market trader and potential seed

TRADER NAME______Gender (circle) Male / Female date______Int#_____

Market location ______Type of trader : (circle): farmer-producer; produce store, other______

There may be many ways traders may help manage grain to be used as seed—either consciously or not. All of the features below help grain to become potential seed—so understanding whether traders use these practices is important. The checklist is an easy one to use with local market traders:

For each major crop (for which farmers use the market for seed) indicate Y (Yes) or N (No) whether the trader does the following below). Where possible a) give greater detail and b) confirm trader responses with observations.

Crop 1______

Feature / Crop1______
(yes/no) / Comments
Get grain from specific regions believed to have grain that will grow in local area (adapted)?
Seek out specific varieties to buy (which can be planted)?
Buy from specific growers who are known for high quality seed?
Keep varieties pure—as single variety?
Keep freshly harvested stocks apart?
Grade stocks (which grain/which seed)?
Do germination tests?
Have special storage conditions (to help with seed viability)?
Sort out ‘waste’ (pebbles, dirt, dust)?
Sort out ‘bad grains/seed’-that is broken, or immature, or discolored?
Sell seed and grain separately, at different prices?
Other: specify

Crop 2______

Feature / Crop2______
(yes/no) / Comments
Get grain from specific regions believed to have grain that will grow in local area (adapted)?
Seek out specific varieties to buy (which can be planted)?
Buy from specific growers who are known for high quality seed?
Keep varieties pure—as single variety?
Keep freshly harvested stocks apart?
Grade stocks (which grain/which seed)?
Do germination tests?
Have special storage conditions (to help with seed viability)?
Sort out ‘waste’ (pebbles, dirt, dust)?
Sort out ‘bad grains/seed’-that is broken, or immature, or discolored?
Sell seed and grain separately, at different prices?
Other: specify

2. How do you know when farmers are aiming to buy seed for their principal crops? What are the key signs? Give details, if possible. Farmers….

Crop / Search for pure varieties, not mixed / Search for stocks which are clean (no debris) / Search for a specific variety by name / Ask about the origin (place) where the stocks are from / Ask how the stocks were stored/conserved / Ask for a particular quantity ?(Explain)... / Say they are buying seed / Other (Explain)…
1)______
2)______
3)______

Other comments on the market?