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Maize seed systems in different agro-ecosystems; what works and what does not work for smallholder farmers

Author

Listed:
  • J. Coosje Hoogendoorn

    (KIT-Royal Tropical Institute)

  • Genevieve Audet-Bélanger

    (KIT-Royal Tropical Institute)

  • Christian Böber

    (CIMMYT-International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center
    Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences)

  • M. Laura Donnet

    (CIMMYT-International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center)

  • Kennedy Bisani Lweya

    (CIMMYT-International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center
    International Institute for Research and Development (IIRD) Africa Ltd)

  • R. K. Malik

    (CIMMYT-International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center)

  • Peter R. Gildemacher

    (KIT-Royal Tropical Institute)

Abstract

Maize is a food field crop with a highly developed formal seed sector. The study reported here, involving 4 case studies in Malawi, Zambia, the state of Chiapas in Mexico and the state of Bihar in India, indicates that smallholder farmers are increasingly purchasing seed from the formal maize seed system in these different parts of the world. Points of sale vary from seed agent and agro-dealer to the local rural market. Many farmers are growing hybrid varieties, although, in particular, under conditions where higher yields justify seed costs, and with the objective of maize grain sales rather than home consumption, for which traditional varieties continue to be grown. While the findings indicate well-functioning seed value chains in the areas of study, producer surveys and seed value chain analysis also pointed to significant weak links in the formal maize seed systems that need to be improved, such as certification and seed quality control at point of sale, and the availability of financial services to support investments by farmers in quality seed and in seed entrepreneurship. The seed subsidy programs in Malawi and Zambia are likely to have stimulated the use of hybrid seed, but it is questionable whether farmers will continue to purchase hybrid seed if subsidies cease to be available. Although the 4 areas of study are relatively well developed, still a genuine demand for improved open pollinated varieties (IOPVs), local varieties and/or on-farm seed saving was identified. Therefore it should be recognized that even for maize, in addition to the private formal seed value sector based on hybrid varieties, there remains a task for public maize breeding efforts and farmer based maize seed systems for the foreseeable future.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Coosje Hoogendoorn & Genevieve Audet-Bélanger & Christian Böber & M. Laura Donnet & Kennedy Bisani Lweya & R. K. Malik & Peter R. Gildemacher, 2018. "Maize seed systems in different agro-ecosystems; what works and what does not work for smallholder farmers," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(4), pages 1089-1103, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:10:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-018-0825-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-018-0825-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shawn McGuire & Louise Sperling, 2016. "Seed systems smallholder farmers use," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 179-195, February.
    2. Melinda Smale & John Olwande, 2014. "Demand for maize hybrids and hybrid change on smallholder farms in Kenya," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 45(4), pages 409-420, July.
    3. Shawn McGuire & Louise Sperling, 2016. "Seed systems smallholder farmers use," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 179-195, February.
    4. Mofya-Mukuka, Rhoda & Kabwe, Stephen & Kuteya, Auckland N. & Mason, Nicole M., 2013. "How Can the Zambian Government Improve the Targeting of the Farmer Input Support Program?," Food Security Collaborative Policy Briefs 146939, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
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    2. Mastenbroek, Astrid & Gumucio, Tatiana & Nakanwagi, Josephine, 2024. "Gender, agricultural risk perceptions, and maize seed systems: A case study of drought-tolerant maize varieties in Uganda," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    3. Dokyi Emmanuel & Anang Benjamin Tetteh & Owusu Victor, 2021. "Impacts of Improved Seed Maize Technology Adoption on Productivity and Technical Efficiency in Northern Ghana," Open Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 118-132, January.
    4. Astrid Mastenbroek & Irma Sirutyte & Robert Sparrow, 2021. "Information Barriers to Adoption of Agricultural Technologies: Willingness to Pay for Certified Seed of an Open Pollinated Maize Variety in Northern Uganda," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(1), pages 180-201, February.
    5. Rutsaert, Pieter & Donovan, Jason & Kimenju, Simon, 2021. "Demand-side challenges to increase sales of new maize hybrids in Kenya," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Zuberi, Mehwish & Spies, Michael & Nielsen, Jonas Ø., 2024. "Is there a future for smallholder farmers in bioeconomy? The case of ‘improved’ seeds in South Punjab, Pakistan," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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