AVRDC’s disaster response seed packs provided the only fresh vegetables that Indian flood victims could afford for months after they lost their homes and livelihoods in the devastating floods that hit the state of Odisha in northeast India in September 2011.
Less than a year later, the crops are providing more than just survival benefits.
The packs contained seed of seven leafy vegetables familiar to local communities. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and local partners distributed the seed packs along with shelter and building materials, chickens, rice and mungbean seed within weeks of the floods.
Mrs. Komala Dei grows amaranth from AVRDC seed.
A total of 6000 packs were distributed in two waves—in November 2011 for sowing in the winter (Rabi) season and in April 2012 for sowing in the rainy (Kharif) season. The vegetables grown from the seed provide vitamin A, a nutrient that is often lacking, particularly in the diets of women and children, and one that is hard to obtain after disasters when food is limited.
A two-week evaluation of the disaster response program began in early August.
Interviews were done in selected villages by more than 20 staff from CRS, local partners and AVRDC. Naba Parida, AVRDC Technical Officer, and South Asia Regional Director Warwick Easdown participated in the evaluations. Further quantitative data will be collected in surveys of 169 families who received seed in the winter and 169 who received seed in the rainy season.
Initial results showed the vegetable seed packs filled a vital role during the winter immediately after the floods, when almost the only vegetables available in the markets were potatoes for INR 30/kg (USD 0.60) —quite unaffordable for destitute families.
Home gardens started providing food within three weeks of planting, and each crop could be harvested about every four days. Crops such as spinach provided vital daily nutrients to the usual family breakfasts of watery rice.
During the current rainy season the situation is now very different, with a wide variety of other leafy greens available. But those who planted seed from the second seed pack distribution in April often found their crops tasted better than the local alternatives. Although the vegetables grown from the seed packs were no longer vital to their survival, some innovative farmers discovered ways to maximize production of these tastier varieties.
Mrs. Komala Dei from Taringira village in Odisha found the amaranth in the AVRDC seed pack tasted better and was more vigorous than the local varieties she knew. Instead of planting seed thick and pulling up all the young plants as usual, she spaced out the seeds and pruned the tips of the larger plants that resulted to encourage branching and better leaf production. Managed in this way, the amaranth plants will provide food for months to come as well as seed for next year.
Other seed recipients also offered their insight and experience on the optimal management of leafy vegetable varieties in the seed packs. Future packs will include refined management practices based on local knowledge and observations.
AVRDC aims to provide disaster survivors with seed of nutritious and good-tasting leafy vegetables that can be harvested for long periods of time. While the disaster response packs in Odisha are fulfilling their role of increasing the availability of nutritious food at a critical time, they also may be a useful way of introducing improved varieties for long-term benefits.
