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 Politics of Seed in Ethiopia's Agricultural Transformation: Pathways to Seed System Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teshome Hunduma Mulesa
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
System Development ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Agricultural Modernization ◽  
Agricultural Transformation ◽  
The Third ◽  
Economic Barriers ◽  
Seed System ◽  
The Government

Seed system development in the developing world, especially in Africa, has become a political space. This article analyzes current Ethiopian seed politics in light of the historical dynamics of national and international seed system politics and developments. Drawing on multiple power analysis approaches and employing the lens of “international seed regimes,” the article characterizes the historical pattern of seed regimes in Ethiopia. While colonial territories underwent three historical seed regime patterns—the first colonial seed regime, the second post-WWII public seed regime, and the third post-1980s corporate-based neoliberal seed regime, Ethiopia has only experienced one of these. Until the 1950s, when the first US government's development assistance program—the Point 4 Program—enabled the second government-led seed regime to emerge, the farmers' seed systems remained the only seed innovation and supply system. The first colonial seed regime never took hold as the country remained uncolonized, and the government has hitherto resisted the third corporate-based neoliberal seed regime. In the current conjuncture in the contemporary Ethiopian seed regime, four different approaches to pluralistic seed system development are competing: (1) government-led formalization, (2) private-led formalization, (3) farmer-based localization, and (4) community-based integrative seed system developments. The Pluralistic Seed System Development Strategy (PSSDS) from 2013 is a uniquely diverse approach to seed system development internationally; however, it has yet to realize its equity and sustainability potential. This study shows that the agricultural modernization dependency and government-led formal seed systems development have sidelined opportunities to tap into the strength of other alternatives identified in the PSSDS. In conclusion, an integrative and inclusive seed sector is possible if the government takes leadership and removes the current political, organizational, and economic barriers for developing a truly pluralistic seed system.

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 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 LOCAL VILLAGE SEED SYSTEMS AND PEARL MILLET SEED QUALITY IN NIGER

2002 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ndjeunga
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Seed Security ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
Millet Seed ◽  
The Village

Donors have invested more than US$45 million in seed production projects in Niger during the past two decades. These investments have largely failed. Public seed systems consistently supplied less than 2% of the total national seed planted by farmers. Through subsidies, seed prices represent less than one-third of the average cost of seed production. In contrast, at the village level, most farmers consistently obtain pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seed from their own harvests, from neighbours or from village markets. Seed is of acceptable quality and a range of varieties is available. Village seed systems offer a cheaper and more efficient means of delivering seed to farmers. Future investment in seed systems development should target improvements in the capacity of village seed systems to maintain and distribute seed security stocks in drought years. Efficient seed producers or groups of farmers in each community should be identified and encouraged to become entrepreneurs tasked with the multiplication and distribution of new pearl millet varieties.

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 Seed Systems of Traditional African Vegetables in Eastern Africa: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu A. T. Ayenan ◽  
Lys Amavi Aglinglo ◽  
Herbaud P. F. Zohoungbogbo ◽  
Sognigbe N'Danikou ◽  
Judith Honfoga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Community Based ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Seed System ◽  
African Vegetables

Traditional African Vegetables (TAV) play an important role in the livelihoods, food and nutritional security of local populations. Access to high-quality seeds of improved varieties is a foundation for increasing crop productivity. TAV seed systems have received little attention. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess the sustainability (seed quality, availability, accessibility, affordability, and profitability of seed businesses) of TAV seed systems in Eastern Africa. The review revealed that the private sector mediated seed system (i.e., formal) offered higher potential for seed quality, and profitability for seed growers. The community-based seed system showed higher potential in ensuring a better access to seeds. The quality of TAV seeds was partially addressed in the studies with a focus on germination percentage and purity, which varied across systems, crops, and geography. While there was a trend of poorer seed quality in the informal system, seed quality in the formal and community-based systems was not necessarily better. The affordability of seed from the various systems (private sector mediated, community based and informal) needs further investigation. Because TAV seed systems are localized and differ significantly among and within countries, tailored interventions are required when promoting a given TAV seed system. We identified inter-regional gaps in TAV seed systems studies, with all the studies concentrated in Eastern Africa, mainly in Tanzania and Kenya. Filling these gaps will require more investment in other regions in sub-Saharan Africa to document existing initiatives or initiate interventions seeking to promote access to high-quality TAV seeds. This review sheds light on existing gaps in research on TAV seed systems to guide future interventions.

scholarly journals Prospects and constraints of formal rice seed systems in Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 157-167
Author(s):  
S Sapkota ◽  
PP Regmi ◽  
S Pandey ◽  
B Tripathi ◽  
SK Sah
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Research Centers ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Foundation Seed ◽  
Seed System

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the main crop of Nepal. Farmers in Nepal mostly use seed from their stock in the form of informal seed systems which is around 92.3% of total seed requirements. In Nepal, formal seed of rice is distributed mostly by public institutions and very nominal amount by private seed dealers. Unavailability of quality seed of preferred variety is the key issue for rice seed systems. This study tries to attempt to address existing rice seed supply systems in Nepal thereby understanding its opportunities and constraints. The study was undertaken by collecting information from various documented sources and primary data from the household survey done at Chitwan and some seed related institutions during 2010/11. Formal and the informal are the two dimensions of the seed system for rice. Farm saved seed and farmers- to- farmers exchange of seed are informal seed system whereas private seed dealers and public institutions’ involvement in the seed sector are formal seed systems. Due to dominant of informal seed systems, there is the low seed replacement rate of 8.7% for rice. Nevertheless, breeder seed is solely produced by different Research Centers of Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), whereas foundation seed is produced by NARC Research Centers and other institutes as well. This amount of source seed does not seem enough to cover rice areas of the country. To tackle problem of seed insufficiency, quality of source seed should be maintained by public institutions aside from creating awareness to farmers by service providers about the importance of producing certified seed by using foundation seed in farmers’ field. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v2i0.7531 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 2: 2011 pp.157-167

scholarly journals PRIORITAS KEBIJAKAN UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN SISTEM PERBENIHAN LADA DI KABUPATEN BANGKA SELATAN / Policy Priorities for Developing Pepper Seed System in The Regency of South Bangka

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Agus Wahyudi ◽  
Suci Wulandari
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Hierarchy Process ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Developing Seed ◽  
Seed System ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Pepper Seed

<p>Pepper farming is dominant in South Bangka Regency. Pepper production in South Bangka reached 50.92% of total production in Bangka Belitung Islands Province, but productivity only achieved 1.29 ton/ha. One of essential factors to pursue the improvement of pepper production is recomended seeds, on the other side the seed systems is not developed yet. To support the development of pepper farming system required a reliable seed system. The objective of the study are to analyze the system of pepper seed, and to set priority policy development of pepper seed system. The method used to develop policy priorities is the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is supported by descriptive statistics.The performance of pepper seed system in South Bangka Regencyhas not been able to produce quality seeds that are easily accessible by farmers. The using of superior seeds is still low. This is related to the limited availability of seeds, price of seed, availability of certain seeds sources, knowledge of the benefits of high quality seeds, and limited information about seeds. Government is the institution that most influence the development of seed system. The price of white pepper is a factor most influences pepper seed system, followed by the performance of pepper seed production, pepper seed quality, and competition among seed producers. The policy required to support major pepper development is developingparent garden, followed by enhancing seed breeder capability, improving seed quality control system, developing seed infrastructure, creating partnership, developing seed information system, and increasing access to credit.</p><p>Keywords: seed, pepper, seed system, policy development</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p>Usahatani lada mendominasi pertanian di Kabupaten Bangka Selatan. Produksi lada Bangka Selatan mencapai 50,92% dari total produksi di Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, namun produktivitas usahatani lada saat ini baru mencapai1,29 ton/ha dan berpotensi untuk ditingkatkan. Salah satu penyebab rendahnya produktivitas adalah masih tingginya penggunaan benih asalan di tingkat petani karena sistem perbenihan yang menghasilkan benih bermutu belum berkembang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis sistem perbenihan lada dan menyusun prioritas kebijakan pengembangan sistem perbenihan lada. Metode yang digunakan untuk menyusun prioritas kebijakan adalah Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) yang ditunjang dengan statistik deskriptif. Kinerja sistem perbenihan lada di Kabupaten Bangka Selatan yang saat ini berjalan belum mampu menghasilkan benih bermutu yang mudah diakses oleh petani, walaupun sudah terdapat beberapa pelaku yang mengarah untuk terbangunnya sistem perbenihan tersebut. Penggunaan bibit unggul yang masih rendah terkait dengan keterbatasan ketersediaan benih bina, tingginya harga benih bina, belum tersedianya sumber benih jenis tertentu, pengetahuan masyarakat akan manfaat benih unggul bermutu yang masih rendah, serta keterbatasan informasi mengenai benih. Pemerintah merupakan lembaga yang memberikan pengaruh terbesar dalam pengembangan sistem perbenihan. Harga lada putih menjadi faktor yang sangat mempengaruhi pengembangan sistem perbenihan lada, diikuti oleh kinerja produksi benih lada, mutu benih lada, dan persaingan antar produsen benih. Kebijakan utamayang diperlukan untuk mendukung pengembangan lada adalah pembangunan kebun induk, dan diikuti dengan kebijakan lain yaitu: peningkatan kemampuan penangkar benih, perbaikan sistem pengawasan mutu benih, pembangunan infrastruktur benih, pengembangan kemitraan, pengembangan sistem informasi perbenihan dan peningkatan akses kredit.</p><p>Kata kunci: benih, lada, sistem perbenihan, pengembangan kebijakan</p>

Editorial introduction: Design issues and practical questions for demand-oriented seed systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-355
Author(s):  
Conny J.M. Almekinders ◽  
Kai Mausch ◽  
Jason Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
System Development ◽  
Editorial Introduction ◽  
Design Issues ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Seed System ◽  
Farming Households

This special issue is a collection of papers that brings together different views on and experiences with seed systems and reflects the breadth of perspectives within CGIAR and beyond. The contributions relate to the major challenges facing seed systems research and development in different contexts and for different crops. One point of agreement among these articles is the need for the development of varieties and the delivery of seeds to be more demand-orientated. This introduction reflects on the implications for CGIAR and affiliated breeding programmes which aim to accelerate varietal uptake and turnover and rely on more effective seed delivery. Here, we outline how the various contributions in this special issue relate to this agenda. We conclude that realism about which farming households can be served by current approaches to seed system development is needed and argue that a wider range of partnerships will be required to broaden the reach of seed systems.

scholarly journals Why interventions in the seed systems of roots, tubers and bananas crops do not reach their full potential: a reflection based on literature and thirteen case studies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conny J.M. Almekinders ◽  
Stephen Walsh ◽  
Kim Jacobsen ◽  
Jorge Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
System Development ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
True Seed ◽  
Root Tuber ◽  
Implementation Time ◽  
Seed System ◽  
Seed Crops ◽  
System Paradigm

With RTB seed system initially not given much attention and – in very general way – in a less ‘advanced stage’, the awareness of their importance for food security, nutrition and income of rural households has caught up. In this publication we review the state-of-the art in relation to seed systems of root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops, with particular reference to potato, sweet potato, cassava, yam, banana, the five major vegetatively propagated food crops in developing countries. We reflect on current seed system development paradigms, and how seed systems of RTB crops feature in context, and how they differ from seed systems of “true” seed crops. Literature and 13 case studies of RTB seed system interventions are used to underpin the argument that more systematic and interdisciplinary research is needed to identify gaps in our knowledge on degeneration processes, farmer practices in multiplying in and sourcing seed. The interactions of these elements have important consequences for strategies to improve availability and access of farmers to quality seed. The evaluation of the 13 cases indicated that RTB seed system interventions are highly variable in scale and orientation. Despite the ambitious goals of the project interventions, the project implementation time was in the majority of the cases two to four year. The interventions appeared to have no links to national government policies to seed sector development, did not make specific efforts to build on existing informal seed systems and in general the efforts to learn from the experiences of the interventions seems to be meagre. Understanding farmers’ effective demand for seed and how this affects the economic sustainable supply of quality seed by specialized producer-entrepreneurs is of paramount importance, regardless of the seed system paradigm, in order to be able to prioritize investments in improved use of seed by farmers. Few interventions are designed without rigorous understanding of the bottlenecks in the functioning of the existing seed system, i.e. who are the actors, what does and does not work where and for whom and why.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document