Why seed issues matter in Ethiopia: the need for short and long-term strategies

DOI IR IR (HANDLE) Open Access

Description

The socio-political importance of the issue of seed in Ethiopia emanates from interlinked domestic and international agendas associated with seed. These are the lead role given to the agricultural sector as an engine of economic growth domestically and the intent different international agencies and donors to ensure food security along with sustaining the country's biodiversity resources. The paper documents the overall poor performance of the seed sector in terms of the trends in the proportion of revealed demand covered by supply, the level of use of improved varieties, and the trends in the productivity gaps. Accordingly, the paper recommends: (i) creation of a coherent and multifaceted seed system with a joint vision of all actors, (ii) gradual liberalization of the sector not only in the production but also marketing of the produced seeds, (iii) further strengthening the public seed system actors mainly for addressing seed market failures, (iv) promotion of the participation of the private sector along the value chain for improved competition and accountability, (iv) promotion of group action among the scattered and small-scale farmers especially through cooperatives and smallscale seed enterprises in seed production and marketing, (v) promotion of seed retailing mainly through agro-dealers, and (vi) promotion of efficient regulatory and certification mechanism.

Journal

  • GSID Discussion Paper

    GSID Discussion Paper (189), 1-27, 2012-03

    名古屋大学大学院国際開発研究科

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