Report on SeedPAG vindicates SADA

The Ghanaian Times newspaper reporter who purportedly had an interview with the Chairman of SeedPAG, Upper West Seed Producers Association, one Naa Seidu, reported that 350 tonnes of local certified maize seed was locked up in the Upper West Region, three years after production.

The said article which was captioned “Tonnes of Maize Sees Locked Up” was authored by Cliff Ekufu, Upper West regional correspondent of the paper.

The publication continued that Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) had requested for the maize seeds to be produced by farmers in 2010, but had declined to purchase these and was rather importing maize seeds from Brazil. This publication sparked public condemnation of SADA within the context of a series of damning publications against SADA.

At the instance of the Minister In-Charge of Development Authorities, high-powered delegation, made up of officials from SADA, SARI, Min. of Food and Agriculture and the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana was tasked to investigate the veracity of these assertions and get the facts regarding this issue. The investigation was guided by a TOR that was developed by the team.

Below is the full report of the investigations

Investigation Team included: Dr. Charles Jebuni- Chief Technical Adviser- SADA Dr. Wilson Dogbe- Senior Research Scientist & Head of Northern Region Farming Systems Research Group - SARI Sam Danse- Director, Corporate Affairs, Human Resources & Administration- SADA Mr. Hudu Abu- Deputy Regional Director, Ministry of Food and Agric., Upper West Region Mr. Omar Ibn Mohammed- Regional Officer, Seed Inspection Division, Ministry of Food and Agric. Upper West Region The following is a summary of meetings, issues and findings that the Investigation Team held and uncovered in WA between June 11th and 14th. 2013

Inspection of Purported Maize Seeds:

According to the Regional Seed Coordinator, Mr. Omar Ibn M., 800 bags of maize seed (equivalent to about 40tonnes) of PANA 53 hybrid maize seed were brought into the Upper West Region on the 20th. July 2011. The Program Coordinator of the National Youth in Agriculture Program (Mr. Emmanuel Akuna) sent the seed to the region for the 2011 block farm program. The seed was received and stored in the Upper West Seed Inspection Division on 21st July, 2011.

He intimated that these maize seeds arrived late in the season and upon germination seed test had been done, it was revealed that the seeds had a lower germination percentage rate ( 80%) Last year, (2012) the seed could not be used because the germination percentage/rate had even dropped down further. This issue was reported to Mr. Akuna, NYAP Coordinator, who later came and took 5 bags as samples to Accra for analysis. Germination test conducted on the seed this year (2013) indicated10% viability.

According to the regional seed coordinator, these seeds cannot be used for planting or for consumption. The only option left is to dispose of the seeds and possible methods being considered are either burning or burying these to avoid any unforeseen calamity.

Answering to further questions from the investigation team, the seed coordinator indicated that the Ghanaian Times reporter did not contact the Regional Seed Inspection Division of MOFA before reporting.

He indicated that the region had 60 registered seed growers, but only 29 of these are active producers focusing mainly on open pollinated varieties of maize and soya bean. The Total volume of maize seed produced in 2011 by the group was 4,500 mini bags (202 .5 tonnes) and in 2012, a quantity of 8,000 mini bags (360 tonnes) of maize was produced. About 70% of maize seeds produced in 2011 were sold as seed and the remaining also sold as grain.

It was also indicated that foundation seed of maize for certified seed production was received from Ghana Grains and Legumes Development Board (GGLDB) and Research Institutes (SARI & CRI; both from CSIR). Interestingly, we were invariably told that the production of maize hybrid seed started in Upper West Region only in 2012 by Antika Seed Company Ltd. A total of 600 mini bags (27 tonnes) “etubi” were produced by Antika in 2012. Answering to the question how the market for seed looks like, the inspector said it started very well with a lot of potential. The only fear is the rainfall pattern we are currently experiencing which may not favour maize seed sales due to the late start of the rainy season though this will eventually be sold out as grain.

The seed inspection unit in the Upper West Region is managed by two staff, who co-opt SeedPAG members and MOFA Field Officers in the implementation of their activities. The major challenge they face is the late release of funds for their activities; though Antika Company sometimes supports them in this regard.

The Seed Inspector did indicate that despite these challenges, the quality of the seeds produced are of good quality and can be trusted. The minimum requirements for maize seed are germination (90%), moisture content, genetic purity and physical purity.

In conclusion therefore, the Regional Seed Coordinator indicated that SADA had nothing to do with the 3 years maize seed locked up as indicated in the Ghanaian Times report since the seed was brought, a year before SADA’s activities started in the region.

Facts and Conclusions:

SeedPAG exist in the Upper West Region and has an active membership of 29 individuals.

The purported maize hybrid seed as reported in the Ghanaian Time paper is PANA 53; imported from South Africa by the National Youth in Agriculture programme under MOFA. This hybrid seed was not produced in Upper West Region as it is being speculated in the report.

The maize seed is not 350 tonones but 36 tonones of PANA 53 hybrid Maize Seed. The PANA 53 Maize seed in stock is not viable for planting and cannot be eaten at its present state- its almost bad and powdered.

The storage conditions under which the PANA 53 hybrid maize seed was stored could not have allowed viability beyond a year.

SADA has no connection with the PANA 53 hybrid Seed in the warehouse. Maize seeds cannot be kept under the warehouse current condition for more than a year.

Meetings with SeedPAG:

Meeting with SeedPAG membership was held in the Offices of the Regional Director for Agriculture. Membership include: Mr. Abudulai Antika (Antika Company Ltd.); Mogtari Nurudeen(MACLOG); Naa Bawa Seidu(SeedPAG President UWR); Abdul-Mahaman Tawfic(BIG AJAR company); Masahood Dori (SeedPAG member) Nathan Biassey (MOFA-GSID); Omar Ibn Mohammed(MOFA-GSID). All telephone numbers of those present at the meeting is available under request.

According to Naa Bawa Seidu, the SeedPAG President, who is alleged to have granted interview with the Ghanaian Times reporter, the story in 5th. June edition of the Ghanaian Times was misrepresented.

This, to him, does not really represent what he intended to submit. The group members have a problem with selling their seeds each year and for the past three years they have experienced this challenge, every year and saw SADA as a market access opportunity since SADA started facilitating the procurement of hybrid maize seed insince 2012, Naa Seidu intimated. Another SeedPAG member (Antika), who happens to be a service provider for SADA, corroborated Naa Seidu’s assertion and indicated that the story wanted to call the attention of SADA to support seed growers in the region by purchasing seeds from these farmers.

According to Naa Seidu, SeedPAG do not keep seeds for more than a year and they do not have stock of seeds as old as three years stored anywhere. Any seed not sold in any year is disposed off as grain; so what is available is only seeds produced from last year (2012); these can be found in Seed Inspection Division Warehouse, Antika intimated. Naa Seidu also indicated that SADA did not contact anyone to produce seeds as being portrayed. Conversely, Big Ajar, a SeedPAG member, also indicated that some members saw an advertisement by SADA calling for proposals and bids to supply maize hybrid seeds and soya; so he submitted an application to SADA for the supply of soya seeds and not maize.

According to him, no SeedPAG member in Upper West region applied to SADA to supply maize; because they could not meet the quantities and specifications. Secondly, in terms of maize hybrid, Antika had only 27 tons; which he thought did not meet the required quantities; hence his reluctance to apply.

Information provided at this meeting indicated that the PANA 53 hybrid seed imported which was locked up in a warehouse has got nothing to do with SADA.

According to some SeedPAG members, a meeting held in April 2013 with SADA officials requested that SADA should support seed growers in the region to produce hybrids or open pollinated varieties (OPVs). According to the investigation it was agreed that it was late this year (2013) for SADA to ask SeedPAG to produce hybrid maize for the season; but this issue could be looked at by SADA in subsequent years.

Many SeedPAG members think that this information by SADA might have been misrepresented and misleading by the Times Reporter. No formal communication has been seen or confirmed to have been made by SADA or SeedPAG requesting for support after this meeting. It is also clear that SeedPAG never made any request to SADA for support after this meeting.

Facts and Conclusion:

The issue of marketing SeedPAG maize seeds (which are NOT hybrid) is a concern that SeedPAG executive wanted to articulate as an advocacy issue and thought SADA should have given them a window of opportunity to mob up their seeds.

Ostensibly, BUSAG provided funds to SeedPAG for advocacy and evidence of its use is the result of the 5th June, 2013 publication by Ghanaian Times. Some service providers (Antika and Big Ajar) justified the economic benefits of the use of hybrid seeds as compared with Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV’s) being produced by SeedPAG members. Pioneer hybrid seed promoted by SADA in 2012 yielded much higher (50% or more) than the OPV’s.

Even though the cost of maize hybrid seeds was more expensive than the local maize seeds (OPVs); the benefits outweigh the cost of investing in hybrid maize seed.

Naa Bawa Seidu refuted the publication and indicated this as a distortion of SeedPAG’s advocacy to convince SADA to purchase their locally produced maize seed. As a way forward, he indicated that he will call the Ghanaian Times Reporter to retract the misinformation Some SeedPAG members admitted that they saw SADA’s advertisement for tenders/bids for hybrid maize seed and OPV’s for soy and Rice in the National Papers. In fact “Big Ajar” saw this publication in the dailies on April/May 2013 and bid to supply only soya beans seeds to SADA because he had no capacity to meet the specifications for maize hybrid seeds.

Antika indicated that if Naa Seidu’s intention was to draw SADA’s attention to procure their local seeds, then he has been misrepresented and the journalist has to retract the story and give it same prominence.

Tawfic of “Big Ajar” disagreed with Naa Seidu that hybrid seeds do not make a difference based on evidence at hand. According to him, “we cannot be using seeds that give two tonnes per hector when hybrid seeds give six tonnes per hectors” SeedPAG unanimously agreed that the publication was false and they will meet as a group to retract the false publications against SADA. They agreed to invite the Ghanaian Times Journalist to either retract the story or organize a press conference to put the facts in the public domain.

Meeting with Ghanaian Times Reporter:

A meeting between the investigation team and the Ghanaian Times Reporter took place in his Office at about 11:34 am. He said the report was written during a workshop of WAAPP of which SeedPAG members were present. According to Mr. Cliff Ekufu, the Ghanaian Times Reporter, he had an interview with SeedPAG executive comprising the President, The Financial Secretary and Treasurer.

He mentioned that SeedPAG had produced maize seed, which is in a warehouse; but government through SADA is importing maize seed. According to him, Naa Seidu said two years ago, seed was imported which is in the warehouse. Invariably, SeedPAG members also produced seeds, which are also in stock. This assertion is at odds with earlier assertions by Naa Seidu and members of SeedPAG.

There are also contradictions in the quantities that were given. The Times Reporter indicated 2,182 mini bags of maize seed (98 tonnes of maize seed); but chose to report that it was 350 tonnes or maize seed in the warehouse. There is a clear difference between maize seed and maize hybrid seed; and this needed to be distinguished and the specific benefits in terms of yield and viability of each of these two sets needed to be investigated properly before any conclusive remark could be made by anyone.

On the issue of the photo used for the publication, the reporter argued that this was indeed a maize seed photo; but after several debates and evidence produced by the investigation team illustrating the same picture; he agreed that the picture was not what he intended since he attached several pictures and sent these to the Times Editor in Accra who might have chosen this photo which is misleading.

The times reporter accepted responsibility for not doing any due diligence and for not triangulating his information before making the publication. He indicated that he had really not crosschecked with Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Seed Inspectorate Division of MOFA and he had not also contacted SADA to verify the information that was provided by SeedPAG. He takes responsibility for this and promised to write a rejoinder or work with SeedPAG to correct the errors and impressions that seem to mislead the public against SADA.

Facts & Conclusion:

The Reporter, Mr. Cliff Ekufu did not do any due diligence before putting the story into the public domain since he did not triangulate his information with the Regional Director of Agriculture, or the Regional Seed Coordinator who is responsible for seed inspection and the custodian of the seed in question.

The Reporter did not contact SADA either through the SADA Secretariat or his collaborators in the Northern Region.

The Reporter did not know of the existence of the Seed Inspectorate Division of MOFA to cross check his information.

The Times Reporter did not know the difference between maize seeds (OPVs) and maize hybrid seed. This brought the confusion as well since the OPVs being produced by the local SeePAG members have lower yields compared to the hybrid maize seeds used by SADA.

After several discussions and interjections, the Ghanaian Times reporter admitted that the photo used was not the actual picture he had intended to use for the publication since it is misleading; he had taken lots of pictures at the location where the meeting was held (Antika) and the selection of the picture could have been done by the Accra Office. This he accepted and took responsibility.

The Reporter confirmed that Naa Seidu indicated that what was reported is not really what he intended.

Summary of Findings:

The report was misleading, inaccurate and misrepresented the intentions of SeedPAG executive.

The Time Reporter did not do any due diligence and he never used his journalistic core skills and competencies to triangulate information, to ensure he had all the facts before publishing the story.

SeedPAG produced and have in stock seeds of Open Pollinated Varieties of maize and not hybrid seeds of maize, which SADA, is promoting.

SeedPAG’s current production capacity of Hybrid maize (27 tons) is far below the 350 tonnes being speculated and could not have met SADA hybrid maize seeds requirement even if SADA decided to purchase these from them.

The seed warehouse in Upper West region is not conducive to store seeds over one year. Any seed left unsold is usually sold out as grain to the public; therefore no locally produced seed from SeedPAG members have been stored any occasion for over one year.

Recommendations:

SADA should develop a strategy with SARI and other researchers to develop the local maize hybrid seed. This could promote the localization of hybrid maize, promote the work of seed producers and promote sustained market access for seed growers in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ).

The Ministry of Agriculture and SADA should create awareness on the yield Potentials of Hybrid maize and the economic benefits so as to provide farmers with options and opportunities SADA should provide routine platforms in each SADA zones for journalist to interact with SADA so that they can familiarize themselves with the SADA mandate, key objectives and operational strategies SADA, if possible, should promote the training of Journalist in the SADA operational issues on development communication so that they can have increased skills and competencies to report on development issues.

Sam DANSE - Director, Corporate Affairs, Human Resources & Administration.