These links and resources can be helpful for those considering the use of vegetable seed in international hunger relief and development work.
When and How to Respond with Vegetable Seed Programming
Vegetable Seed Supply and Selection in Humanitarian Response
Vegetable-growing can provide nutrition and income for those recovering from crisis - but gains are not automatic. What should be considered in designing vegetable seed-oriented relief programs? What seed species, characteristics, and sources are most appropriate? A set of two new practice briefs address these questions, give examples from the field, and highlight key resources for practitioners.
The above writings, authored by SPI's Peter Marks with input from Louise Sperling and Anne Turner (Catholic Relief Services) and Julie March (USAID/OFDA) join the set of tools, advice, research, resources found at SeedSystem.org, a site deployed to provide practical, hands-on guidance to help professionals design seed-related assistance. The vegetable seed briefs build on an existing series of ten Seed Aid for Seed Security practice briefs.
Vegetables and Nutrition
Brief discussion of the role of vegetables in general health, especially as related to grains and other staple foods. Vegetables are discussed as sources of calories, vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals.
Saving Vegetable Seeds: Factors to Consider
Written by SPI Vice President - General Manager Dave Bender, this article is an introduction to issues anybody should consider in designing a seed saving program.
Saving Vegetable Seeds (by Julian Hoyle)
More detail on specific vegetable requirements including a chart briefly covering each major vegetable's seed-saving process. Julian Hoyle is retired from the seed trade, has produced seed crops in over 25 countries on five continents, and has extensive experience training subsistence farmers in seed saving.
Adaptation of Vegetable Crops to Climactic Regions
Discusses choosing appropriate vegetables for climate. Includes a chart showing ideal soil temperature, cold hardiness, spacing, germination time, and more.
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