A farmer inspects some of his eucalyptus trees. PHOTO/FILE
Just as farmers growing various crops are educated on how to access quality seed for better yields, those investing in tree farming must also be equipped with knowledge on tree seed processing and production. Without proper understanding, tree germination can fail, leading to poor results. Farmers in East Africa, including Uganda, have access to valuable guidance through the Agroforestry Tree Seed Training Handbook for Community Facilitators.
This resource, developed by agroforestry experts from the Swedish organisation VI Agroforestry, supports tree planting as a way to combat poverty and climate change in the Lake Victoria Basin. The handbook is designed to help community facilitators train farmers in identifying good tree seed sources, as well as seed collection, processing, treatment, storage, and distribution. With this knowledge, farmers can contribute to sustainable seed systems, enhance agroforestry productivity, protect the environment, and improve their livelihoods.
Understanding tree seed sources
The handbook defines a tree seed source as a location where seeds are collected. There are two main methods for obtaining seeds: Farmer-collected seeds and seeds from formal institutions such as national tree seed centres. Ideal seed sources should be located in similar agroecological zones to where the seeds will be planted—matching conditions like rainfall and altitude. For example, seeds from highland trees should be planted in highland areas, and the same applies for lowland regions. Farmers should select seed sources with desirable traits, such as fast growth, pest resistance, and good yield, a minimum of 30 trees to ensure good genetic diversity, avoid isolated trees, which are more likely to self-pollinate and produce low-viability seeds.
Spacing guidelines
Natural forests: Select mother trees of the same species spaced 50–100 metres apart, while for exotic species, the trees should be 10–14 metres apart to promote cross-pollination and proper crown development.
Tree seed sources
In the guide the experts define tree seed source as a place where seed is collected. There are two major ways of obtaining seed; and this is by farmers collecting their own seed or procuring seed from formal institutions such as national tree seed centres This may be an identified or established number of trees in a landscape; farmland, natural forest or a group of trees from which farmers can obtain seeds The best seed sources for particular tree species should be in a suitable agro ecological zone for good seed production. Farmers are expected to choose seed sources from areas which share the same climatic conditions in terms of average annual rainfall and altitude as one where the seed collected will be planted. This ensures that trees will be well adapted to that environment. Seed trees from lowlands fit well in lowlands areas, while seeds from highlands fit well in highlands farms.
Farmers are expected to choose sources with trees which have desirable traits such as fast growth, pest resistance, healthy and quality products. Use seed sources that have more than 30 trees to ensure good inherited genetic quality, as trees grow to be like their mother trees. Avoid isolated mother trees since they may end up self-pollination, leading to having seeds which are not viable for germination In case of natural forest, farmers are expected to select mother trees of same species which are spaced 50-100m from each other. For exotic tree species, ensure that trees of same species are spaced at least 10-14 metres from each other. This prevents pollination between closely related individual trees and allows good crown development.
Categories of seed sources
Farmland seed source: These are collected from trees on-farm owned by a farmer or farmer organisation This can be in urban areas where trees are planted by the roadside on roadside and indigenous trees retained for provision of services and other end-products such as fodder, timber apart from providing seed.
Natural forest seed source normally identified in natural forests that are selected and managed for seed provision.
