1) The document discusses the roles of NGOs, government, and donors in ensuring a high quality supply of tree planting materials in Malawi. It outlines the planting material supply chain process. 2) Key steps that have been taken include launching a voluntary certification scheme, developing minimum standards for tree seedlings, and training nursery operators and inspectors. However, enforcing compulsory certification remains a challenge due to high costs. 3) To improve the supply of quality planting materials, the document recommends that nursery operators obtain voluntary certification, while government, donors, and NGOs should only procure from certified sources.

1. Bruce Sosola and Isaac Nyoka
The potential role of NGOs,
Government and donors in
ensuring production and supply of
high quality tree planting material
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A paper presented at the Dissemination Workshop on voluntary tree
seedling certification scheme in Malawi

2. 1.0 Planting material supply chain
• Production
• Quality assurance
• Training
Supply
• Inspection
• Regulation
• Monitoring
Quality
Consolidation
• Farmers
• Supported by
government, NGOs,
donors
Demand
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3. 1.1 Supply side
• Launched the Voluntary Certification Scheme
(VCS) concept in 2013
• Conducted a review of Seed Act 1996
• Developed a position paper of inclusion of
agroforestry planting material as seed in the
new Seed Bill
• Need for certification of planting materials.
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4. 1.1 Supply side
• Developed and tested minimum standards for fruits
and indigenous tree seedlings.
• Trained 60 nursery operators on minimum standards
– Revamped National Fruit Tree Association of Malawi
(NAFTA)
– Supported Indigenous Tree Producers Association of
Malawi (iTAM)
• Trained 12 seed inspectors on nursery inspection using
minimum standards
• Conducted a robust media sensitization on
significance of minimum standards for tree planting
material
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5. 1.2 Quality consolidation
• Seed Act 1996 stipulates Quality Declared
Seed (QDS) scheme.
• Draft Seed Bill 2013 will enforce quality
control for tree planting materials.
• Voluntary Certification Scheme (VCS) employs
QDS for quality control and assurance
• Voluntary certification board oversees VCS on
interim basis
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6. Why Voluntary Certification
Advantages
• It is cost effective.
• Compulsory certification is generally
expensive compared to Voluntary Certification
• Is best suited for low value seed
Disadvantages
• Does not eliminate poor quality germplasm on
the market
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7. 1.3 Demand
• Government and the national tree planting
season
– 15 December- 15 April
• National programs
– Public Works Programs
– RIDP
– Shire River Basin
– MAFE
– HODOM
– PROSCARP
– FIDP
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8. 1.3 Demand
• Donors, Govt, NGOs and Farmers play big part in
the supply of tree planting material
• Donors and Govt support many programmes
involving tree planting (land restoration, AF,
afforestation, woodlots, etc) through funding.
• NGOs and Govt support the production of
planting materials (seedlings and seed)
• Are these different players aiding and abetting
the supply of poor quality planting material?
• Do they care about the quality of the planting
material which they provide?
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9. 2.0 What we can do!
• Government
– pass the seed bill 2013 into law and support its full implementation?
– The major challenge is that of costs. That type of germplasm will be
expensive as compulsory certification has costs. It is best reserved for
high value crops.
– Based Seed Act 1996, invoke QDS but there are no standards for tree
germplasm.
– Support nursery entrepreneurs who produce quality germplasm by
selectively buying from them.
– procure seeds and seedlings from certified nursery producers
• Engage procurement officers and controlling officers on
significance of quality planting material
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10. 2.0 What we can practically do!
• Donors/NGOs
– Support germplasm acquisition from reputation
sources.
– Support programmes focusing on improving
quality of tree planting material (e.g. VCS)
• DCAFS and MDTF insist on use of QDS and certified
tree based seed
– Support procurement of seeds and seedlings from
certified nursery producers
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11. 2.0 What we can do!
• Nursery operators
– Agree and provide support to have your nurseries
and seedlings certified
– produce and declare high planting materials using
minimum standards of VCS
– Lobby Donors, NGOs, Govt to only buy certified
material for the planting programmes they
support
– register with your producer affiliates
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12. Production (Nursery producers)
• Adopt and enforce standards
among members
• Lobby Government/NGOs to buy
voluntarily certified material
Users (Farmers, Govt or Community
programs)
1. Insist on quality planting material
even if given without charge
2. Learn and produce own quality
material
3. Identify reputable producers
Donors/Government/NGOs
1. Source quality germplasm from reputable
(certified) suppliers
2. Only support programs or NGOs that use
good quality planting material.
3. Pay a premium for quality material
4. All germplasm must be known.
5. Assess tree planting success on survival
and productivity not no. of planted trees

13. Sample certificate
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14. Press release of certified nurseries
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15. Flow Chart of Certification
Registration
• Fill and submit application forms
• Wait for acceptance by producer affiliate
Inspection
• Apply and pay for inspection
• Independent inspectors using minimum guidelines
Certification
• Voluntary Certification Board approves and certifies nursery
facilities and lots for a valid period of time
• Board publishes certified lots and nursery facilities
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16. Why this?
• enhanced tree survival
• more value for money (higher return on
investment)
• sanity and orderliness in the production to
consumption system (value chain)
• consumer (farmer rights) protected and ensured
• enhanced fruit and nursery industry
• Increased economic growth
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17. Thank you
smart seedlings smart business
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