This leads to loss of quality and fertility. In 2013, we received a grant from the Scottish Government to produce certified seed from basic (pure) seed from the research station at Lifuwu.

5 MT of basic seed was purchased and grown on by lead farmers to produce 104MT of certified seed. This in turn was distributed in 20 kg parcels to 5000 farmers on condition that at harvest they would repay 40kg.

This would create a seed bank which could continue to supply members with certified seed and build up a surplus which within three years could be sold to fund a further round of seed multiplication.

Such is the efficiency and strength of the association that last year they were able to repeat the whole process without any further injection of cash. This is a remarkable example of sustainable development.