Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa: A Basis for Seed Policy and Law

Louwaars, N.P.; Boef, Walter Simon de; Edeme, Janet

doi:10.1080/15427528.2012.751472

Cited by 85 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The closed value chain seed system, part of the formal system, covers seeds specific for a value chain. Coffee, cotton, sugarcane, and cut flowers are examples of closed seed value chain system in Ethiopia (Louwaars, De Boef, and Edeme 2013). Others have used classifications of seed systems for specific crops.…”

Section: Overview Of the Seed Sector In Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Traditionally seed systems in Ethiopia are broadly categorized into two systems: formal and informal (e.g., Atilaw and Korbu 2011;De Boef et al 2010). Louwaars, De Boef, and Edeme (2013) classified the seed systems as farm-saved seed, community-based, public companies, commercial companies, and closed value chain. Farm-saved and community-based systems come under the informal system.…”

Section: Overview Of the Seed Sector In Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seed producer cooperatives in the Ethiopian seed sector and their role in seed supply improvement: A review

Sisay

Verhees

Trijp

2017

Journal of Crop Improvement

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The role of seed producer cooperatives (SPCs) in the Ethiopian seed sector and their contribution to seed supply improvement have received attention from researchers, policymakers, and development partners. However, limited work has been done in reviewing and documenting their involvement in the seed sector development. In this paper, we review and discuss the SPCs in the Ethiopian seed sector. Specifically, we reflect on the contribution of SPCs to improving seed availability and access in the country. The current liberal market system of Ethiopia creates new opportunities for growth as successful enterprises, but also brings new challenges, such as more intense competition for smallholder producers. The government policy encourages SPCs to engage in seed business. We draw on scientific literature, reports, white papers, project documents, and websites. The review reveals that the seed sector in Ethiopia consists of three seed systems: formal, informal, and intermediary seed systems. Each seed system has a specific contribution to the delivery of seed to farmers, but they vary in their approach and respective strategies. The SPCs are categorized in the intermediary seed system because they have features of both formal and informal seed systems. They play a key role in meeting seed demand and contribute greatly to seed supply improvement through high-volume production of seed, crop, and variety diversification, and seed delivery to farmers. They produce and market the seed through various market channels, including direct sales to farmers, sales through contractual agreement, and sales directly to institutional buyers. Their contribution to improving the seed supply and seed security has received considerable recognition by policymakers and development practitioners. Therefore, government and development partners should support and strengthen SPCs to maximize their success in the seed business and their contribution to improving the seed supply in Ethiopia.ARTICLE HISTORY

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Section: Overview Of the Seed Sector In Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Overview Of the Seed Sector In Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed producer cooperatives in the Ethiopian seed sector and their role in seed supply improvement: A review

Sisay

Verhees

Trijp

2017

Journal of Crop Improvement

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“…More recently, initiatives to recognize and explicitly plan for an 'integrated seed sector' have started to be sketched (Almekinders and Hardon 2000;Louwaars and de Boef 2012;Sperling et al 2014), but pivotal points for catalyzing formal and informal integration tend to be ad hoc rather than managed, and are localized, rather than achieved at scale . The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), in particular, is aiming to become a champion in this area labeled BIntegrated Seed Sector Development^ (Louwaars et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed systems smallholder farmers use

2016

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Seed can be an important entry point for promoting productivity, nutrition and resilience among smallholder farmers. While investments have primarily focused on strengthening the formal sector, this article documents the degree to which the informal sector remains the core for seed acquisition, especially in Africa. Conclusions drawn from a uniquely comprehensive data set, 9660 observations across six countries and covering 40 crops, show that farmers access 90.2 % of their seed from informal systems with 50.9 % of that deriving from local markets. Further, 55 % of seed is paid for by cash, indicating that smallholders are already making important investments in this arena. Targeted interventions are proposed for rendering formal and informal seed sector more smallholder-responsive and for scaling up positive impacts.

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“…A growing body of scholarship and field research now shows that access to high quality and diverse planting materials is associated with reductions in pests and disease, increased resilience to drought and other crop stressors (Bangwayo-Skeete et al, 2012), and ultimately increased food production, food security, and farmer livelihood stability (Joughin, 2014;Louwaars et. al, 2013;Di Falco et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of Seed Policies for On-Farm Agro-Biodiversity in Ethiopia and Uganda

Otieno¹,

Reynolds²,

Karasapan³

et al. 2017

SAR

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Across East Africa, national seed policies and commercial seed enterprises have focused on increasing farmers" access to modern seed varieties. These new varieties are developed and delivered to farmers via the formal seed system, which is comprised of government and private sector seed breeders, processors, and vendors. However, the formal seed system only provides a small share (<20%) of smallholders" seed in the region. Most farmers source seed from informal seed systems, including own-saved seed, exchanges with neighbors, and local seed markets. At the local level, informal seed systems are preferred by farmers because of proximity and local varietal preferences (e.g., crop variety tastes and suitability for local environmental conditions). At the national and regional levels, the conservation and use of local crop varieties through informal systems has also provided a wealth of crop genetic diversity increasingly recognized as critical for climate change adaptation. To evaluate how policies in East Africa impact seed systems we systematically code 117 provisions in 21 national seed policies in Ethiopia (n=11) and Uganda (n=10), highlighting the implications of current and proposed policies for the availability and accessibility of: (i) improved seed; (ii) quality-controlled seed; and (iii) genetically diverse local seed in both the formal and informal seed systems in each country.

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Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa: A Basis for Seed Policy and Law

Cited by 85 publications

References 23 publications

Seed producer cooperatives in the Ethiopian seed sector and their role in seed supply improvement: A review

Seed producer cooperatives in the Ethiopian seed sector and their role in seed supply improvement: A review

Seed systems smallholder farmers use

Implications of Seed Policies for On-Farm Agro-Biodiversity in Ethiopia and Uganda

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