New strategies and partnerships for the sustainable use of plant genetic resources (original) (raw)
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The robust seed system perspective has been useful for analysing the diversity of strategies presented in this book in the context of livelihood strategies, emphasizing the role of both diversity and seeds for development. However, one should realize that the perspective is only a social construct, a way of looking at activities and creating an organized view of a complex ‘reality’. This reality is formed by the five components we have included in the perspective. What we learned is that there is no one way to enhance access to and increase the availability of seeds and varieties. A range of initiatives support the seed sector, with varying attributes and implications for the seed system at large. The perspective illustrates that interventions are often based on one perspective (either business, dissemination of modern varieties, participatory varietal selection or conservation of local varieties) while the livelihood and rural people’s food security is far more complex and requires...
Seed supply in local markets: supporting sustainable use of crop genetic resources
Environment and Development Economics, 2012
This introductory paper summarizes the policy context, methodological approach, and key results from the set of papers contained in this special edition derived from a FAO-led project on seed sourcing in local markets and its farm-level impacts. The introduction provides the conceptual framework used in the papers for considering the relationship between sourcing seed from market and rural household decision-making as well as the effects this has on two key farm outcomes: on-farm diversity and household welfare. Approaches for data collection and study site selection are described, with a focus on how methodological issues were addressed in the different studies. Lastly, the paper summarizes the results of the individual papers and draws broad conclusions and policy implications for promoting the sustainable utilization of crop genetic resources through increasing market access and in a manner that supports agricultural production.
There is a strong link between formal plant breeding and seed supply. In developed countries, it was the emergence of systematic plant breeding that generated new named varieties and stimulated organized seed multiplication and marketing by commercial companies. In developing countries likewise, the experience of the 'Green Revolution' in the 1960's led to the establishment in the following decade of national seed projects which could deliver the products of plant breeding more eVectively from breeder to farmer. The provision of a secure conduit leading from research to agriculture remains a major justiWcation for formal seed systems. The limitations of formal breeding approaches have been recognized in recent years, especially for crops grown in marginal and diverse environments, where farmers' requirements are more complex. This has prompted interest in alternative participatory plant breeding strategies in which farmers can play an active role in the selection process. There has been a parallel recognition of the role of the informal seed sector, as the major seed supplier in many crops and areas where the regular sale of seed by formal organizations is diYcult. The question which arise therefore is-"How do participatory breeding approaches relate to both formal and informal seed systems?" The purpose of this paper is to examine the technical, regulatory and policy aspects of this question, with emphasis on the following issues: • The nature and deWnition of participatory plant breeding (PPB) outputs, • Maintaining the identity and integrity of PPB outputs • The relevance of oYcial variety evaluation and registration procedures • Maximizing the diVusion and impact of PPB outputs • Innovative seed supply systems linked to PPB activities • The role of policy in facilitating alternative seed delivery systems
Can cultivars from participatory plant breeding improve seed provision to small-scale farmers?
Euphytica, 2007
Seed provision for small-scale farmers deals with multiple constraints. These include, on the supply side, high seed production costs and poor adaptedness of the cultivars, and on the demand side, anticyclical demand and low and variable sales. Approaches to improve seed provision to this sector of farmers have so far not been very successful. This paper discusses how well-adapted cultivars developed through participatory plant breeding (PPB) initiatives create new opportunities for production and distribution of quality seed. It reviews supply and demandside issues, based on research and experiences with seed production. Given better adaptation of PPB-cultivars, the diffusion of seed of PPB initiatives should not be a major bottleneck. But constraints in the provision of quality seed from cultivars that are commonly used remain and need to be addressed. Major points of attention are cost-effective seed production and distribution, high information linked transaction costs, and appropriate seed production technology. Research on these issues is needed to understand farmers' seed demand. At the same time, these issues need to be taken into account in new seed production initiatives that apply integrated approaches. Long term commitment by farmers to produce, distribute and use seeds is a condition. Even if seed production is not economically sustainable at household or organization level, farmer-based seed systems generate benefits to society as a whole that justify long term public investment to maintain them.
2007
Effective maintenance of crop diversity within farming systems has been the subject of many studies over the last decade. Although the benefits of agrobiodiversity have been widely recognised and encouraged through global conservation and policy awareness initiatives, its use is constrained due to the limited number plant breeders who can respond to all the needs of the poor farmers. Agrobiodiversity assets that are important for the poor are either being lost or not being used optimally because neither the rural poor nor research and development workers fully appreciate their value and/or manage them well. This loss is often attributed to the green revolution and its assumption that the sophisticated plant breeding, led and controlled by professional breeders, is the best way to address farmers' problem and needs. Consolidating farmer participation in grassroots breeding might: 1) improve farmers' access to a wide range of genetic resources for local innovation, and 2) enhance farmers' knowledge and skills in genetic resources conservation and plant breeding. In this paper, we re-examine if farmer participation does improve the availability, access, quality, conservation and utilization of genetic resources. We put forward a step-by-step plant breeding process, which can enhance the capacity of grassroots institutions and farmers to assess existing diversity, select niche specific plant materials, produce sufficient quality seed, and distribute this within the community. We call this process of local crop development "Grassroots Breeding". Based upon this analysis, together with experience from community-based on-farm management, we conclude that a rethink in current plant breeding approaches is essential if we want to optimise the benefits to poor farmers through the use of genetic diversity at the local level. What are the simple tools that can be used, or are being used, to reach this goal? Such an effort is pertinent given the ever-increasing demands placed on different production systems due to changing climate and farming practices. High levels of on-farm diversity can help mitigate the negative effects of these current trends if communities are empowered for efficient resource use and diversity in agro-ecosystems for improving livelihoods.
State-farmer partnerships for seed diversity in Mali
2006
As in many developing countries, the Mali government's approach to seed management is becoming increasingly centralised, revolving around: (1) research programmes to create high-yielding varieties; and (2) collecting and storing germplasm in centralised genebanks for multiplication and distribution to farmers. However, it seems that not only do governments in developing countries lack the budget either to properly conserve these collections or take stock of what they have, but that national seed departments are unable to disseminate information about new varieties to rural areas. As a consequence, less than 5% of the sorghum and millet currently grown in Mali is improved varieties. This paper explores the potential for grassroots level seed management to fill a gap in the seed distribution system in a way which maintains and promotes genetic diversity. The author draws on long-term and in-depth research into farmers' seed management strategies on more than 600 farms in easte...
Social Seed Network: Good Practice for Ensuring Maintenance of Local Crop Diversity
Most rural farming communities in developing countries continue to use traditional or informal sources of planting materials and seed to meet their seed needs. Either they save their own seed or they obtain seeds from sources such as relatives, neighbours, and local markets independently of the formal certified seed sector. Most community members grow different cultivars, but nodal farmers occupy a relatively more central position in the informal seed network of agricultural biodiversity management. Nodal farmers tend to be diversity minded, maintain rich biodiversity and are willing to share knowledge and genetic materials within or outside their communities. The function of social seed systems is clearly important to the maintenance of crop genetic diversity on-farm. The social seed networks are a practical option for managing vulnerability and uncertainty of rural livelihoods, therefore, access to and control over such genetic resources are a critical policy issue.