Challenges of the maize seed sector in southern Africa
Material type:
TextLanguage: English Publication details: Harare (Zimbabwe) : CIMMYT, 2004.Description: 25 pagesSubject(s): Summary: Seed is an essential, strategic, and relatively inexpensive input to agriculture with a high rate of return on investment that often sets the upper limit for crop production. In southern Africa, a number of seed companies, farmers’ associations and community based seed production systems are involved in the production and distribution of improved maize seed to complement farmer’s own seed stocks. Notwithstanding the concerted efforts of these various seed providers, improved maize seed is still chronically unavailable at the farm level due mainly to production and distribution challenges broadly categorized as (1) farmers’ circumstances, (2) institutional environment, (3) national and regional policy environments, and (4) climatic conditions. Using industry level survey data, this paper critically examines how these challenges impact upon seed provision and specifically highlights the fact that the dual role of seed as an input and a technology often overlooked by researchers complicates the determination of seed demand required for effective production planning. Drawing on the findings, the paper makes relevant policy recommendations necessary to enhance the provision of improved maize seed at the farm level.
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference paper | CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library | CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection | CIS-4369 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 630719 |
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Seed is an essential, strategic, and relatively inexpensive input to agriculture with a high rate of return on investment that often sets the upper limit for crop production. In southern Africa, a number of seed companies, farmers’ associations and community based seed production systems are involved in the production and distribution of improved maize seed to complement farmer’s own seed stocks. Notwithstanding the concerted efforts of these various seed providers, improved maize seed is still chronically unavailable at the farm level due mainly to production and distribution challenges broadly categorized as (1) farmers’ circumstances, (2) institutional environment, (3) national and regional policy environments, and (4) climatic conditions. Using industry level survey data, this paper critically examines how these challenges impact upon seed provision and specifically highlights the fact that the dual role of seed as an input and a technology often overlooked by researchers complicates the determination of seed demand required for effective production planning. Drawing on the findings, the paper makes relevant policy recommendations necessary to enhance the provision of improved maize seed at the farm level.
Socioeconomics Program
Text in English
0503|AL-Maize Program
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