scholarly journals Assessing sustainability factors of farmer seed production: a case of the Good Seed Initiative project in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Kansiime ◽  
M. Bundi ◽  
J. Nicodemus ◽  
J. Ochieng ◽  
D. Marandu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Good Seed ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background Quality seed is at the core of the technological packages needed to increase crop production, nutrition, and rural wellbeing. However, smallholder farmers in Tanzania have limited access to affordable quality seeds, and over 90% of seed sown is saved by farmers from previous harvests, though its quality is often poor. The Good Seed Initiative (GSI) aimed to enhance access to quality African indigenous vegetable (AIV) seed in Tanzania, through the promotion of farmer seed production, using two models—contract farming and Quality Declared Seed (QDS). This study assessed post-GSI project sustainability factors and explored the prospects for replicating the approach in a wider regional context. Methods The study was conducted in Arusha and Dodoma, targeting locations where the GSI project was implemented. Qualitative tools employing focus group discussions (73 men, 69 women), and key informant interviews were used for data collection. Results Farmer seed production under both models continued to thrive, creating avenues for income diversification and contributing over 50% to household incomes. Farmer seed production contributed to increased availability of quality seed for vegetable growers, especially in central Tanzania that is less served by the formal sector. However, QDS production was challenged by a lack of access to foundation seed, inspections, and seed testing services, which are key for quality seed production. Conclusions Results reveal unequivocally that farmer seed production offers a potentially sustainable solution to the problem of seed supply while providing income benefits for seed producers. The market-based approach used by the project and partnerships with the formal sector, coupled with stimulation of demand through nutritional awareness campaigns, were strong contributory factors to the survival of farmer seed production. Farmer-led seed systems, especially QDS, deserve support from the government to develop a tailored and appropriate seed system that meets the ever-evolving needs of smallholder farmers. Adoption gender-inclusive approaches, particularly in contract farming is paramount to benefit women as much as men.

ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE SEED SECTOR OF RICE IN GUINEA: STAKEHOLDERS, PERCEPTION AND INSTITUTIONAL LINKAGES

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLORENT OKRY ◽  
PAUL VAN MELE ◽  
EDWIN NUIJTEN ◽  
PAUL C. STRUIK ◽  
ROCH L. MONGBO
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
Extension System ◽  
Institutional Linkages

SUMMARYThis paper analyses the organization of the rice seed sector in Guinea with the overall objectives to assess how organizational settings affect seed supply to small-scale farmers and to suggest institutional changes that would favour seed service and uptake of varieties. Data were collected in Guinea, West Africa, using focus group discussions with extension workers, farmers, representatives of farmers’ associations, agro-input dealers, researchers and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff, and surveys of 91 rice farming households and 41 local seed dealers. Findings suggest that the current institutional settings and perceptions of stakeholders from the formal seed sector inhibit smallholder farmers’ access to seed. Seed interventions in the past two decades have mainly relied on the national extension system, the research institute, NGOs, farmers’ associations and contract seed producers to ensure seed delivery. Although local seed dealers play a central role in providing seed to farmers, governmental organizations operating in a linear model of formal seed sector development have so far ignored their role. We discuss the need to find common ground and alternative models of seed sector development. In particular we suggest the involvement of local seed dealers in seed development activities to better link the formal and the informal seed systems and improve smallholder farmers’ access to seed from the formal sector.

scholarly journals Analyzing Pathways of Nurturing Informal Seed Production into Formal Private Ventures for Sustainable Seed Delivery and Crop Productivity: Experiences from Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essegbemon Akpo ◽  
Gebrekidan Feleke ◽  
Asnake Fikre ◽  
Mekasha Chichaybelu ◽  
Chris O. Ojiewo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Certified Seed ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
Sub Saharan

Sustaining crop production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa requires the availability and use of quality seed of improved varieties by smallholder farmers. The private sector has been considered as the best way to sustain seed supply and crop productivity. Unfortunately, the private sector’s share in the seed production and delivery in sub-Saharan Africa countries has not been very substantial for decades. As a consequence, farmer access to quality seed of recently released varieties remains very low. This manuscript analyzes the experiences of informal seed producers who graduated to formal private seed enterprises to understand the effectiveness of the support they receive to become viable seed ventures. We used comparative research methods to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data collected to understand the underlying mechanisms. The findings showed that the analyzed seed enterprises started with as little as about USD 300 and have already multiplied over tenfold their initial capital. They benefited from a wide variety of supports, e.g., quality seed production, marketing, partnerships, and value chain development trainings and infrastructures, from extension workers, research centers, national and international NGOs, and the other private seed enterprise operators like large public seed enterprises and agro-dealers. The seed enterprises are producing pre-basic, basic, and certified seed of cereals and self-pollinated legume crops delivered directly to farmers, institutional markets, and agro-dealers. The seed production data have been increasing for the past three years with an area expanding from about 30 ha to over 150 ha per year for chickpea. The seed production and delivery practices being employed are smallholder farmer-based practices that are environmentally friendly. For sustainable and reliable seed production and delivery systems in sub-Saharan Africa, a bold step is needed whereby the informal seed production entities are nurtured and upgraded into formal certified seed production ventures that deliver social and economic benefits to the promotors and the communities.

The Agrarian Question in Contemporary Zimbabwe

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toendepi Shonhe
Keyword(s):  
Capital Accumulation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Food Crop ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Agrarian Question ◽  
Food Crop Production ◽  
The Government ◽  
Agrarian Transition ◽  
Depth Interviews

The reinvestment of rural agrarian surplus is driving capital accumulation in Zimbabwe's countryside, providing a scope to foster national (re-) industrialisation and job creation. Contrary to Bernstein's view, the Agrarian Question on capital remains unresolved in Southern Africa. Even though export finance, accessed through contract farming, provides an impetus for export cash crop production, and the government-mediated command agriculture supports food crop production, the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of agricultural commodities is now driving capital accumulation. Drawing from empirical data, gathered through surveys and in-depth interviews from Hwedza district and Mvurwi farming area in Mazowe district in Zimbabwe, the findings of this study revealed the pre-eminence of the Agrarian Question, linked to an ongoing agrarian transition in Zimbabwe. This agrarian capital elaborates rural-urban interconnections and economic development, following two decades of de-industrialisation in Zimbabwe. 

scholarly journals Socio-economic Factors Influencing Profitability of Rice Seed Production in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
MZ Hoque ◽  
ME Haque
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
The Government ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

Seed is the foundation of agriculture for enhancing crop production. The economic benefits from the improved quality seed production help scaling up the livelihood standard as well as nutritional status of the common people. The study was carried out in three districts namely Jamalpur, Gazipur and Manikganj to identify the socio-economic dimensions of the government seed production project beneficiaries persuading profitability of rice seed production. Data were collected through intensive survey of randomly selected 211 sample respondents using pre-tested interview schedule. To examine the profitability of rice seed production, the gross margin and cost benefit analysis were carried out. Co-efficient of correlation and multiple stepwise regressions were employed to find out the determinants of profitability in rice seed production. Rice seed production was not found to be so profitable as investment in rice seed cultivation can produce average BCR of only up to 1.44, where highest BCR was found in Jamalpur (1.58) compared to Manikganj (1.48) and Gazipur (1.26). The results revealed that socio-economic factors have a profound influence on profitability of rice seed production as these factors combined explained 54.9 percent variation. Farm size, contact with information sources, knowledge on quality rice production and age of the respondents were identified as significant contributors in profitability of rice seed production, whereas contact with information sources was the single most influential factor (24.6%). Therefore, steps may be taken so that the seed-growers could directly be linked with more information sources dealing with seed production and marketing through the government initiatives to boost up the production as well as to ensure appropriate price of the farmers’ home grown seed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19578 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 33-40

scholarly journals The Market Orientation of Smallholder South African Farmers in a Disaster Context: An Input-side Perspective within a Seed Systems Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Input Side ◽  
Farm Produce

Market-orientation is widely applied to understand the expected interaction of smallholder farmers with input and output markets. Commonly used interchangeably with market participation, it is fast becoming a key milestone for attaining smallholder commercialization. This study introduces the term into the disaster resilience, seed systems and livelihoods context. Using a mixed methods approach, 120 smallholder farmers in a drought-affected district of South Africa were sampled, and information collected for analysis. The result shows that most of the farmers rely on purchased seeds and fertilizers for crop production, and on average sold 62% of their farm produce. A market orientation index (MOI) of 55% was estimated, showing that the farmers were market oriented. The farm size, quantities of seeds and fertilizer purchased, value of crop produced, amount received from crop sales, distance to markets and access to credit were found significant in determining their market orientation. Policy interventions were made to improve access to irrigation, seed varieties and extension delivery in the area. The finding has implications for development efforts at rebuilding after a natural disaster, as well as sourcing food aid from local smallholder farmers by humanitarian actors.

scholarly journals Role Of Disspro And Cbsp On Current Seed Supply Situation In Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suroj Pokhrel
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Production Program ◽  
Major Field ◽  
Supply Situation ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Seed Supply

The seed replacement rate of major field crops is very low, about 8%, in Nepal with 92% seed supply of major field crops from informal sector. Different seed production initiatives are undertaken by public and private sectors. However, their role and effectiveness on seed sector development have not been assessed. A review on secondary data related to seed production and usage and primary data collected from different public and private organizations in the year 2011were used to assess the role of District Level Seed Self Sufficiency Program and Community Based Seed Production program on current seed supply situation in Nepal. DISSPRO is the most popular, widely adopted and cheapest seed producing program with annual production of 40.4% followed by CBSP 3.83% of the total certified/improved seeds in the country. The seed production trend of DISSPRO and CBSP is rapidly increasing. Strengthening seed sector through the integration of DISSPRO, CBSP and other seed initiatives together with effective enforcement of seed regulation for quality seed multiplication, distribution and use is necessary for rapid rise on SRR, enhancing crop production and food security in Nepal. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:13, Jun.2012, Page 53-59 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v13i0.7588

scholarly journals Pluralistic Seed System Development: A Path to Seed Security?

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Teshome Hunduma Mulesa ◽  
Sarah Paule Dalle ◽  
Clifton Makate ◽  
Ruth Haug ◽  
Ola Tveitereid Westengen
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
System Development ◽  
Formal System ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Seed Security ◽  
Seed System

Seed security is central to crop production for smallholder farmers in developing countries, but it remains understudied in relation to long-term seed sector development. Here, we compare seed systems in two districts of Central Ethiopia characterized by subsistence-oriented teff cultivation and commercially oriented wheat production and relate this to the country’s pluralistic seed system development strategy (PSSDS). Our analysis is based on quantitative and qualitative information from a household survey and focus group discussions with farmers, as well as document review and key informant interviews with actors that make up the seed sector in the study sites. Farmers in both districts used a range of seed sources but primarily obtained their seeds from informal sources. Evidence of seed insecurity was found in both districts, as apparent from discrepancies between what the seed farmers say they prefer and those they actually use, limited availability of improved varieties and especially certified seeds of these, challenges with seed quality from some sources, and differentiated access to preferred seed and information according to sex, age and wealth. We find that the interventions prioritized in the PSSDS address most of the seed security challenges and seed system dysfunctions identified, but implementation lags, particularly for the informal seed system, which is largely neglected by government programs. The intermediate system shows promise, but while some improvements have been made in the formal system, vested political, organizational, and economic interests within key institutions represent major obstacles that must be overcome to achieve truly integrative and inclusive seed sector development.

scholarly journals Usefulness of seed systems for reviving smallholder agriculture: a South African perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 17581-17603
Author(s):  
SI Hlatshwayo ◽  
◽  
AT Modi ◽  
S Hlahla ◽  
M Ngidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Government Grants ◽  
Seed System ◽  
The Government

South Africa is considered a food-secure nation; however, food insecurity is still a major challenge for many poor rural households that rely on cash incomes and government grants for survival. Furthermore, these grants are not always adequate to meet households’ basic needs and fail to provide them with the food required for food and nutrition security. Some of these households rely on agriculture to supplement their food needs, and an important aspect of this agricultural production is the seed system. Smallholder farmers in rural areas rely on informal seed systems, and use traditional knowledge and methods to produce, harvest, store, and sell their produce. This research combined quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the role of informal seed systems in promoting food production in rural smallholder agricultural households in South Africa. The narrative review showed reword that while smallholder farmers acquire seed from informal seed systems, they face numerous challenges that affect their production activities. These challenges include poor seed quality and assessment, poor storage and harvesting facilities, which limit proper seed production and affect crop yield and marketing. Due to these challenges, the ability of rural smallholder farmers to access mainstream markets is limited and as a result, they are confined to local markets that offer lower prices. Moreover, South African policies do not recognize the informal seed system as one of the contributors to food security. This is a major limitation as farmers may not receive the support and assistance they require. Formal recognition and support for informal seed systems would go a long way in improving smallholder farmers’ access to quality seed. This would have ripple effects on their yields and productivity. When properly implemented and given recognition by the government, informal seed systems have the potential to contribute to rural food security and livelihoods.

scholarly journals The Market Orientation of South African Smallholder Farmers in a Disaster Context

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
South African ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Farm Produce

Market-orientation is widely applied to envisage the interaction of smallholder farmers with both input and output markets. Commonly used in the market participation discourse, it is fast becoming a key milestone towards smallholder commercialization. This study introduces the term into the disaster, resilience, seed systems, food security and livelihoods context. Using a mixed methods approach, 120 smallholder farmers in a drought-affected district of South Africa were sampled, and information collected for analysis. The result shows that most of the farmers rely on purchased seeds and fertilizers for crop production, and on average sold 62% of their farm produce. A market orientation index (MOI) of 55% was estimated, showing that the farmers were market oriented. The farm size (0.004), quantities of seeds (0.007) and fertilizer (0.024) purchased, value of crop produced (0.043), amount received from crop sales (0.001), distance to markets (0.048) and access to credit (0.034) were found significant in determining their market orientation. Policy recommendations were made to improve access to irrigation, seed varieties and extension delivery in the area. The finding has implications for development efforts at rebuilding after a natural disaster, developing resilience as well as sourcing food aid from local smallholder farmers by humanitarian agencies.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis on contract scheme: security or a peril

2021 ◽  
pp. 47953-47957
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Indicators ◽  
Insufficient Information ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Indian States ◽  
The Government

Contract farming is usually seen as a useful mechanism to assist smallholders in overcoming market access constraints. However, in spite of economic benefits, high smallholder dropout rates from contract schemes are commonplace. The aim of this study is to postulate a mechanism that uses quantitative and qualitative data from the Indian States to show that smallholder farmers benefit from a resource-providing contract in terms of higher yields and incomes, but that most of them still regret their decision to participate within the contract scheme and would like to exit if they might. The analysis underlines that research that specialize in narrowly defined economic indicators alone cannot explain farmers’ satisfaction with contracts and their dropout behaviour. The main problem within the contract scheme is insufficient information provided by the corporate. Farmers don't understand all the contract details, which results in substantial mistrust. Farmers believe that the corporate behaves opportunistically, as an example during the output weighing procedure, and these beliefs are significantly correlated with the farmers’ wish to exit. Moreover comparing such an instance to recent spike in dissatisfaction amongst farmers in the Punjab state in India, followed by disregard for the Government of India’s new found APMC Policy.

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