000			02222nam a22003377a 4500
001			G81363
003			MX-TxCIM
005			20220713175604.0
008			220713s2004 rh ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
040			_aMX-TxCIM
041			_aeng
072		0	_aE10
072		0	_aF01
090			_aCIS-4369
100	1		_aLangyintuo, A.S. _9175
245	1	0	_aChallenges of the maize seed sector in southern Africa
260			_aHarare (Zimbabwe) : _bCIMMYT, _c2004.
300			_a25 pages
340			_aComputer File|Printed
500			_aDraft
520			_aSeed 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.
536			_aSocioeconomics Program
546			_aText in English
591			_a0503|AL-Maize Program
650		7	_aSeed production _2AGROVOC _91253
650		7	_aMaize _2AGROVOC _91173
650		7	_aSeed systems _2AGROVOC _919811
651		7	_2AGROVOC _91954 _aSouthern Africa
711	2		_928175 _aAnnual meeting of Maize breeders in southern Africa _d( September 12-17, 2004 : _cLilongwe, Malawi )
942			_cCPA _2ddc _n0
999			_c45742 _d45742