informal seed sector

This article states that good quality seed is almost universally considered a requirement for high productivity in all potato production systems. Potato seed sector development is thus a major concern of governments, researchers, development agencies, and civil society organizations. »

This technical brief aims to examine the quality of farmer-produced seeds that smallholder farmers use for planting in Zimbabwe. Smallholder farmers in eastern Zimbabwe have the capacity to produce sorghum seed that matches formal seed certification standards. This emphasises the need for relevant stakeholders to recognise and promote the resilience of farmer-led seed systems »

This report provides an overview of the state of affairs: what is Open Source Seed, what is happening on the ground, what are the results so far, and what are the open questions. The Open Source Seed network consists of self-organised plant breeding and seed sharing/selling communities that aim to retain and regain freedom to act in a now highly asymmetric landscape. »

This report examines whether vegetable seed interventions lead to better family nutrition and help families generate income during a crisis. The article states that it still does not know if and how vegetable seed interventions impact beneficiaries’ nutritional status and income in either the short or long term. »

This article summarizes how current institutions and policies related to seed production and distribution in Ethiopia and Uganda influence the shaping of seed systems. It also considers whether policies provide space for informal seed systems to continue to operate and evolve and for farmers to utilize local and traditional varieties together with improved ones. »

This webinar explores novel approaches to strengthening seed systems and markets. David Spielman, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) presents the webinar. The aim is to chalk out some basic principles to help understand the effects of changes in public policies on seed systems and markets in developing countries. »