PLANNING FOR SEED
COLLECTION
M.K.Shellimoh
Tanzania Tree Seed Agency
P.O. Box 373
MOROGORO TANZANIA
1.INTRODUCTION
• One important aspect for planning for seed
collection is to have enough information on
the species to be collected; phenology
(crop assessment report), costs and
location of seed sources.
• Seed source baring and maturity of many
tree species is sometimes irregular.
2.Seed requirement
• The quantity of seed to be collected from a
certain species will depend on demand.
• Poor seed production may affect planting
targets.
• At the same time in good crop years there is a
possibility of collecting larger amounts of good
quality seed
• These factors have a positive impact to seed
longevity and hence make storage feasible
3.Collection permit
• Collection permit should be obtained in
advance from the seed owner.
• Seed source owners include farmers,
authorities like Game parks, Forest
reserves, Town councils etc.
• Sometimes we have to pay royalty if the
seed source does not belong to TTSA.
Collection permit cont’ed
• The permit should include information
about the collection area, collection period,
quantity to be collected and number of
people to be involved.
4.Assembling of resources for seed
collection
Organizing manpower
• The necessary labour force for a particular
depends on quantity of seed to be
collected, number and type of species,
prevailing weather, terrain and task to
every individual involved in seed
collection.
Assembling of res. cont’ed
• In the field the collectors should organized
in small groups with a group leader.
Organizing transport
• Transport must be available where and
when needed.
• The overall transport need will be
estimated from the size and number of
groups, the seed source records and the
seed demand.
Assembling of res. cont’ed
• Care should be taken in planning the
transport of recalcitrant seed like
Syzygium spp, Alanblakia spp,
Cephalosphaera usambarensis etc.
• Vehicles have to be given a thorough
check and service.
• Organizing equipment
• Choice of equipment will vary greatly
according to species.
Assembling of res. Cont’ed
• The equipment include: safety clothing,
cotton bags, sisal sacks, plastic sheets,
tarpaulins, secatures, ladders etc.
• Apart from collection equipment, first aid
kit, seed source forms, labels etc. should
be provided.
5. Budget
• Budget should be flexible and distributed
to periods e.g. months according to
expected activities and be revised
currently during the year.
6. Example of cost estimation for
collection of 16kg. Pinus patula
seed
• Seed source 50km from seed centre.
• Transport 50km @0.5x2 =US$
50
• Labour – Casual 4@ 2.5 =US$
10
- permanent 4@ 2.5=US$
10
• Wear& tear of the equipment= US$ 4
• Quantity cones to be collected = 760kg
• Quantity clean seed obtained = 16kg
• Royalty to seed source owner=US$ 3
Example cont’ed
• Cone extraction/processing =US$ 5
Sub Total =US$ 79
• Administration cost
=US$ 1
Grand Total = US$ 80
• Cost per kg Pinus patula = USD 5
7. Constraints
• The major constraints lie in knowing the demand
of seed in advance.
• Our customers normally do not bring orders in
advance. We advise them to bring their orders at
least 6 months bi advance
• Sometimes the crop is not stable from one year
to another.
• Sometimes we have to rely on experience i.e..
Historical trends of our customer demand.