The Importance of the Farmers' Seed Systems in a Functional National Seed Sector

Almekinders, Conny; Louwaars, N.P.

doi:10.1300/j153v04n01_02

Cited by 113 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Smallholders have diversified and unpredictable seed demand. The formal seed system does not tend to offer a wide range of varieties for crops and does not provide seed for minor crops because of demand for small quantities (Almekinders and Louwaars 2002). Thus, farmers depend on the informal seed system; seeds from the formal seed system are not available in adequate quantities and at the right time (Seboka and Deressa 2000).…”

Section: Informal Seed Systemmentioning

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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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: Informal Seed Systemmentioning

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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“…This means that farmers use farm-saved seed from the previous harvest, acquire them from other farmers through barter or gifts or obtain them from informal local markets [69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76]. This seed is often in the form of landraces, which are open-pollinated varieties that are often the product of many years (>100 years) of natural and farmer selection [77].…”

Section: Seed Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This seed is often in the form of landraces, which are open-pollinated varieties that are often the product of many years (>100 years) of natural and farmer selection [77]. In some instances, seed companies supply landraces of both major and minor grain legumes that are not certified or tested [71,73,75]. They take advantage of their strategic positioning in the agriculture sector to source seed of grain legumes and supply them to research institutions or farmers.…”

Section: Seed Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expounding the Value of Grain Legumes in the Semi- and Arid Tropics

2017

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Approximately 70% of the population in the semi-and arid tropics reside in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Crop production is primarily focused on a few starchy staple crops. While this can ensure adequate calories, it inadvertently neglects the need for dietary diversity. Consequently, food and nutritional insecurity remains prevalent in the semi-and arid tropics. We reviewed the legume value chain with the aim to identify opportunities and challenges to unlocking their value and promoting them in the tropics. Several grain legumes are rich in proteins and micronutrients. They also possess adaptability to marginal environmental conditions such as drought and low input systems which typify rural landscapes. Adaptability to abiotic stresses such as drought makes them key to agriculture in areas that will receive less rainfall in the future. However, this potential was currently not being realized due to a range of challenges. Aspects related to their seed systems, production, post-harvest handling and marketing remain relatively under-researched. This was especially true for minor legumes. There is a need for transdisciplinary research which will address the entire value chain, as has been done for major starchy crops. This could also unlock significant economic opportunities for marginalized groups such as women. This will unlock their value and allow them to contribute meaningfully to food and nutrition security as well as sustainable and resilient cropping systems.

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“…This legislation was therefore seen as one of the main barriers to the development of markets for conservation varieties and other niche varieties (Thommen et al 2010 ). Almekinders and Louwaars ( 2002 ) argue that seed laws came about in industrialised countries as a result of pressure from seed producers and farmers alike. Both groups wished to be protected against dishonest or speculative seed suppliers, as these were negative for farmers and for the integrity of serious seed producers (Almekinders and Louwaars 2002 ).…”

Section: Genetic Erosion and Efforts To Stop Itmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Almekinders and Louwaars ( 2002 ) argue that seed laws came about in industrialised countries as a result of pressure from seed producers and farmers alike. Both groups wished to be protected against dishonest or speculative seed suppliers, as these were negative for farmers and for the integrity of serious seed producers (Almekinders and Louwaars 2002 ). Louwaars ( 2002b ) further details this argument, and states that the reason compulsory variety registration developed in Europe during the fi rst half of the twentieth century was the lack of clarity with regard to names and varietal identity that had come about as a result of certain practices in the industry.…”

Section: Genetic Erosion and Efforts To Stop Itmentioning

confidence: 99%