seed systems

Seed trade in the Asia-Pacific region has been strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of surveys among seed company executives conducted in April, May and August 2020 shows adverse effects on the demand for sowing seed, although the situation in August was much better than in April or May for most crops. Still, »

In this report, Pepijn Schreinemachers from the World Vegetable Center, and Kanokwan Chodchoey, Steven Layne and Weeranuch Mhadlhoo from the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) give the results of a second survey among seed enterprise members of the APSA. This second survey showed that seed companies continue to report the same difficulties, but that there are clear improvements in nearly all aspects.  »

In this report, Pepijn Schreinemachers from the World Vegetable Center, and Kanokwan Chodchoey, Steven Layne and Weeranuch Mhadlhoo from the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) give the results of a survey, which recorded the opinion of seed company managers on how the crisis has affected their business and identified emerging bottlenecks in the seed supply chain. »

This article states there are several hurdles to ensure sustainable seed production and consistent flow of improved legume varieties in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Diversification of seed sources by linking formal and informal seed systems is a fundamental tool to enhancing seed access to resource‐poor farmers especially those in remote areas. »

The objective of this study was to examine the constraints of seed production and the causes of seed losses in Northern Ghana. The results indicated that high input costs, undeveloped marketing system and seed distribution channels, erratic rainfall pattern, and inadequate machinery constituted the main challenges for seed producers. Field pests, poor storage structures, poor farm hygiene, and poor bagging process significantly influenced seed losses. »

This article aims to assess political and social outcomes of the formalisation and commercialisation of the seed sector, by comparing maize seed system development in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania, combining policy analysis with quantitative analysis of farmers’ seed use. Climate-smart seed policies and seed system development strategies must be sensitive to differences between farming systems and different groups of farmers if they are to deliver socially fair outcomes. »