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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Policies for African Seed Enterprise Development
Authors:Tripp, RobertISNI
Rohrbach, DavidISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:Food Policy
Volume:26
Issue:2
Period:April
Pages:147-161
Language:English
Geographic terms:Southern Africa
Kenya
Subjects:seeds
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Development and Technology
Politics and Government
Bibliography/Research
External link:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9192(00)00042-7
Abstract:This paper examines the major impediments to the development of the commercial seed sector in sub-Saharan Africa and identifies areas in which seed policies can be strengthened. Seed enterprise development has been hampered by regulatory frameworks that favour parastatal enterprises and that inhibit commercial innovation. In addition, government and donor projects provide large amounts of free or subsidized seed that further discourages seed enterprise development. National agricultural research institutes need to invest more resources in promoting their varieties and helping to stimulate commercial seed production. Greater emphasis is required on regional strategies for public plant breeding and private seed marketing. National policies need to strengthen input marketing capacity and infrastructure. Finally, donors, governments and NGOs should shift from trying to encourage village-level commercial seed production and instead strengthen farmers' capacities to assess new varieties and to be effective consumers of commercial inputs. Many of the conclusions are based on a recently completed study of seed policies and performance in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Bibliogr., sum.
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