Varietal development and the effectiveness of seed sector policies

Varietal development and the effectiveness of seed sector policies PDF Author: Takeshima, Hiroyuki
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 24

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Book Description
Seed is an essential input in agriculture, and the availability of quality seed of superior varieties is often critical for improved food security and poverty reduction in developing countries like Nigeria. However, while the Nigerian government recognizes the importance of improving seed availability, its recent focus in the seed sector has mostly been on improving seed quality rather than on varietal development. This report argues that this is partly due to a knowledge gap regarding the relationship between varietal technology levels and the effectiveness of seed sector policies. We first provide a brief conceptual discussion on how the effectiveness of selected seed sector policies, such as certification, subsidies, and private sector promotion, may depend on underlying varietal technology levels. Using rice as an example, we then provide key historical and international perspectives on how varietal technology development by the public sector through intensive rice breeding had pre-ceded the expansion of seed certification and testing, and show that there still is a substantial need for the Nigerian government to develop improved rice varieties through intensified domestic plant breeding in order for its seed certification and seed subsidy programs to be more effective.

Varietal development and the effectiveness of seed sector policies

Varietal development and the effectiveness of seed sector policies PDF Author: Takeshima, Hiroyuki
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 24

Get Book Here

Book Description
Seed is an essential input in agriculture, and the availability of quality seed of superior varieties is often critical for improved food security and poverty reduction in developing countries like Nigeria. However, while the Nigerian government recognizes the importance of improving seed availability, its recent focus in the seed sector has mostly been on improving seed quality rather than on varietal development. This report argues that this is partly due to a knowledge gap regarding the relationship between varietal technology levels and the effectiveness of seed sector policies. We first provide a brief conceptual discussion on how the effectiveness of selected seed sector policies, such as certification, subsidies, and private sector promotion, may depend on underlying varietal technology levels. Using rice as an example, we then provide key historical and international perspectives on how varietal technology development by the public sector through intensive rice breeding had pre-ceded the expansion of seed certification and testing, and show that there still is a substantial need for the Nigerian government to develop improved rice varieties through intensified domestic plant breeding in order for its seed certification and seed subsidy programs to be more effective.

Seed Business Management in Africa

Seed Business Management in Africa PDF Author:
Publisher: CIMMYT
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description


Community Seed Banks

Community Seed Banks PDF Author: Ronnie Vernooy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134608608
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 323

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Book Description
Community seed banks first appeared towards the end of the 1980s, established with the support of international and national non-governmental organizations. This book is the first to provide a global review of their development and includes a wide range of case studies. Countries that pioneered various types of community seed banks include Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. In the North, a particular type of community seed bank emerged known as a seed-savers network. Such networks were first established in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA before spreading to other countries. Over time, the number and diversity of seed banks has grown. In Nepal, for example, there are now more than 100 self-described community seed banks whose functions range from pure conservation to commercial seed production. In Brazil, community seed banks operate in various regions of the country. Surprisingly, despite 25 years of history and the rapid growth in number, organizational diversity and geographical coverage of community seed banks, recognition of their roles and contributions has remained scanty. The book reviews their history, evolution, experiences, successes and failures (and reasons why), challenges and prospects. It fills a significant gap in the literature on agricultural biodiversity and conservation, and their contribution to food sovereignty and security.

Seed System Innovations in the Semi-arid Tropics of Andhra Pradesh

Seed System Innovations in the Semi-arid Tropics of Andhra Pradesh PDF Author: National Research Centre for Sorghum (India)
Publisher: ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD)
ISBN: 9290665025
Category : Seed projects
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
Study conducted at the Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, Nalgonda, Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Farmers' Seed Production

Farmers' Seed Production PDF Author: Conny Almekinders
Publisher: Intermediate Technology Publications
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description
This handbook covers a whole range of issues relating to local seed supply systems, including participatory plant breeding, and both technical and practical information on seed production and variety maintenance. It suggests new approaches and methods to support on-farm seed production by small-scale farmers in developing countries. The first part of the book describes the functioning of local seed systems and discusses their strengths, limitations and possibilities for improvement. The authors discuss in detail issues of genetic diversity and in-situ conservation, farmers' rights and legislation. The cases presented here illustrate the functioning of local seed systems and experiences with improving them. The second part contains technical information on seed production, selection, storage and distribution, and varietal maintenance and improvement of different groups of important food crops, which can be applied and implemented at the level of small-scale farming. The third part contains practical guidelines about how on researchers and agriculturalists might carry out surveys to investigate local seed systems and their limitations, and how they can involve interested farmers in practical experimentation to improve their crop seed. This book will be of great value and interest to people who work directly with farmers, including extension agents, national and international NGOs, and farmers' cooperative workers.

An Analysis of the Bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa.

An Analysis of the Bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. PDF Author:
Publisher: CIMMYT
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description


The Business of Plant Breeding

The Business of Plant Breeding PDF Author: G. J. Persley
Publisher: Cabi
ISBN: 9781786393814
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book is the result of a study on demand-led plant variety design for changing markets in Africa, the purpose of which is to identify and share best practices in demand-led plant breeding from private and public sector breeding programmes worldwide. The intended audiences are professionals in plant breeding and related areas, such as seed production, who have interests in developing and disseminating new plant varieties as a way to increase productivity and profitability in crop agriculture, especially in Africa. The volume is also intended for use as a resource book for the education of postgraduate scholars in plant breeding and genetics, and for the continuing professional development of plant breeders. For this purpose, boxes are included in the main sections of each chapter that summarize its educational objectives and present the key messages and questions that are involved; in addition, there is a final box at the end of each chapter that summarizes its overall learning objectives.

African Seed Enterprises

African Seed Enterprises PDF Author: Paul van Mele
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9781845938444
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 236

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Book Description
In most developing countries, good quality seed is hard to obtain and farmers struggle to save seed from one year to the next. This title takes a people-centred look at the companies, public agencies and family farms that are taking on this role and making a difference to food security across Africa.

Seeds Toolkit - Module 5

Seeds Toolkit - Module 5 PDF Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN: 9251309531
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 114

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Book Description
Seeds are the vehicle for delivering the improvements in a crop to the farmer’s field. They are therefore a critical input in agricultural production. Seeds are also unique in that they must remain alive and healthy when they are used and that they are also the input that farmers can produce by themselves. Module 5 Seed Marketing, this module presents the underlying principles for valuing and exchanging seeds. This module describes all the activities which are undertaken in getting seeds from the producers to the end-users or farmers. The reader is provided guidance on how to conduct relevant research of the market for seeds, develop effective marketing strategies, articulate a marketing plan and manage the associated risks.

Seed Trade in Rural Markets

Seed Trade in Rural Markets PDF Author: Leslie Lipper
Publisher: Earthscan
ISBN: 1844077845
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.