This publication presents the report, case studies and background papers of the International Workshop on Developing Institutional Agreements and Capacity to Assist Farmers in Disaster Situations to Restore Agricultural Systems and Seed Security Activities, held at FAO headquarters in Rome from 3 to 5 November 1998. The workshop was organized by FAO’s Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service under the framework of the FAO/Norway Cooperative Programme. Its objectives were twofold. First, it aimed to develop strategies to improve the capacity of disaster-prone countries to prepare farmer seed systems to minimize the effects of disasters and to promote mechanisms that will enable countries and their rural farming communities to identify, acquire, multiply and deliver seed of locally adapted varieties before, during, and after disasters. Second, the workshop sought to determine mechanisms of collaboration for a continuing partnership among governments and institutions involved in the maintenance or restoration of farmer seed systems, plant genetic resources and seed security after disasters. The main output from the workshop was a strong recommendation that FAO should explore the possibility of supporting the establishment of a Seed Security Consultative Group, under the auspices of FAO, with a broad constituency including all stakeholders involved in efforts to rehabilitate agricultural production systems affected by disaster. This consultative group would coordinate efforts to conserve locally adapted plant genetic resources, to harmonize seed rules and regulations and to disseminate information to lessons learned about strengthening farmer seed systems in disaster-prone regions.
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