TY  - PRO
AU  - Erenstein,O.
AU  - Kassie,G.T.
AU  - Mwangi,W.M.
TI  - Challenges and opportunities for maize seed sector development in eastern Africa
PY  - 2011///
N1  - Draft
N2  - The role of improved varieties in agricultural intensification is widely acknowledged, but their potential contribution critically relies on a functional and efficient seed sector. The seed sector in eastern Africa primarily revolves around maize ? associated with the inherent characteristics of maize seed and maize being a major commodity/staple in the sub-region. The paper draws from a seed sector survey in four case study countries ? Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia ? to characterize their maize seed sector and its evolution. Despite the prevalence of maize, the sub-regional seed sector also shows some remarkable contrasts between the case study countries. Although each country comes from a similar public sector dominance of the seed sector, they have evolved at different speeds and in somewhat different directions. Driving the seed industry dynamics are diverging agricultural growth opportunities and varying degrees of regulation, liberalization and restructuring of the seed sector. Diverging policy implementation between countries has resulted in varying degrees of market concentration and public-private sector roles. Despite the regional diversity, there are also some similarities ? including a proliferation of private seed companies, an increasing emphasis on hybrid maize seed and the emergence of national seed traders? associations. Based on a comparative analysis, the paper identifies the main challenges and opportunities to the sector?s development and to the introduction of innovations. This study helps identify both country specific and wider lessons for seed sector development and the associated policy implications
ER  -