From the survey it is very clear that there is a need to develop tree seed education, and where some components of tree seed education are already taught, there is a need for improvement of the curricula. It is, therefore, recommended that:
·all topics suggested by institutions, student extension officers and farmers be incorporated into curricula;
·sufficient time be allocated to the teaching of tree seed education;
·laboratories be built or improved and equipped with relevant facilities but, where possible, improvise;
·training of qualified staff be given first priority when funds are available;
·seed orchards, natural forests and other necessary seed sourcing be identified not far from colleges for practical work;
·relevant and updated text books and other information relevant to tree seed education be made available to all colleges;
·if possible each college have means of transport for field practicals;
·sufficient tree seed teaching aids, i.e. computers, slides, videos, video cameras, internet, etc., be made available;
·agricultural colleges network and collaborate with forestry colleges and farmers and be linked to tree seed organizations (local and external) to be abreast of new technologies, research findings, indigenous knowledge;
·government funding be improved and source for funding from other organizations also be identified and used;
·where possible, permanent staff be appointed to lead tree seed education, and appropriate facilities and incentives be provided;
· farmers be supported in their efforts to intensify tree cultivation, and resource sharing be especially encouraged between national tree seed centres and distributors of agricultural seeds in order to reach more farmers with tree seed. This is only one option for increasing tree seed supplies. Other options include locally based, less centralised systems such as:
o establishing local seed orchards by individual farmers or cooperatives
o training and advice to extension workers and farmers on quality seed collection from farm sources and natural systems
o training of tree seed dealers on, inter alia, quality tree seed management and monitoring systems
o enhancing private sector interest in tree seed enterprises
These aspects are reflected in the proposed curriculum.
