Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin
IntroductionAccess to high-quality seeds remains a key constraint to the intensification of crop production in low-income countries. In this study, we analyzed maize seed production and distribution systems in Benin to identify leverage points for effective seed systems, a prerequisite for improving...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1045629/full |
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| author | Rabiath F. R. Adigoun Aristide C. Houdegbe Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotegni Alcade C. Segnon Alcade C. Segnon Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Charlotte A. O. Adjé Rigelle P. M. Adadja Enoch G. Achigan-Dako |
| author_facet | Rabiath F. R. Adigoun Aristide C. Houdegbe Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotegni Alcade C. Segnon Alcade C. Segnon Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Charlotte A. O. Adjé Rigelle P. M. Adadja Enoch G. Achigan-Dako |
| author_sort | Rabiath F. R. Adigoun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAccess to high-quality seeds remains a key constraint to the intensification of crop production in low-income countries. In this study, we analyzed maize seed production and distribution systems in Benin to identify leverage points for effective seed systems, a prerequisite for improving maize production.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 81 seed producers selected in seven municipalities across the three phytogeographical zones of Benin. Key informant interviews were also conducted with ten public and private stakeholders involved in maize seed systems in Benin.Results and discussionFindings showed that the legal and institutional frameworks governing seed systems in Benin were recently reinforced with a national seed policy, the creation and operationalization of the National Committee of Plant Seeds and the existence of regulations and rules on the production, quality control, certification, trade, and packaging of seeds. In addition, enabling conditions to facilitate the involvement of the private sector have been greatly improved with the revision of modalities for obtaining approval for the production and distribution of seeds in Benin. While the seed sector is improving and both public and private stakeholders are involved in maize seed production and distribution, synergies among stakeholders need to be strengthened. Strengthening business and marketing skills of seed producers through training and promoting the comparative advantages of improved seeds in increasing yield and production among maize farmers could be a promising avenue. Connecting seed producers with maize farmers' organizations coupled with ICT-based agro-advisories could boost the development of the maize seed sector, and ultimately the maize value chain. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:41:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9467ff84ec14444a8535eed4e6970a8c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:41:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-9467ff84ec14444a8535eed4e6970a8c2022-12-22T04:36:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2022-11-01610.3389/fsufs.2022.10456291045629Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from BeninRabiath F. R. Adigoun0Aristide C. Houdegbe1Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotegni2Alcade C. Segnon3Alcade C. Segnon4Sognigbe N'Danikou5Sognigbe N'Danikou6Sognigbe N'Danikou7Charlotte A. O. Adjé8Rigelle P. M. Adadja9Enoch G. Achigan-Dako10Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninAlliance of Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Dakar, SenegalLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninWorld Vegetable Centre, East and Southern Africa, Duluti, Arusha, TanzaniaEcole d'Horticulture et d'Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d'Agriculture, Kétou, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, BeninIntroductionAccess to high-quality seeds remains a key constraint to the intensification of crop production in low-income countries. In this study, we analyzed maize seed production and distribution systems in Benin to identify leverage points for effective seed systems, a prerequisite for improving maize production.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 81 seed producers selected in seven municipalities across the three phytogeographical zones of Benin. Key informant interviews were also conducted with ten public and private stakeholders involved in maize seed systems in Benin.Results and discussionFindings showed that the legal and institutional frameworks governing seed systems in Benin were recently reinforced with a national seed policy, the creation and operationalization of the National Committee of Plant Seeds and the existence of regulations and rules on the production, quality control, certification, trade, and packaging of seeds. In addition, enabling conditions to facilitate the involvement of the private sector have been greatly improved with the revision of modalities for obtaining approval for the production and distribution of seeds in Benin. While the seed sector is improving and both public and private stakeholders are involved in maize seed production and distribution, synergies among stakeholders need to be strengthened. Strengthening business and marketing skills of seed producers through training and promoting the comparative advantages of improved seeds in increasing yield and production among maize farmers could be a promising avenue. Connecting seed producers with maize farmers' organizations coupled with ICT-based agro-advisories could boost the development of the maize seed sector, and ultimately the maize value chain.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1045629/fullseed systemmaize productionseed policyseed governancepublic-private partnershipBenin |
| spellingShingle | Rabiath F. R. Adigoun Aristide C. Houdegbe Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotegni Alcade C. Segnon Alcade C. Segnon Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Sognigbe N'Danikou Charlotte A. O. Adjé Rigelle P. M. Adadja Enoch G. Achigan-Dako Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems seed system maize production seed policy seed governance public-private partnership Benin |
| title | Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin |
| title_full | Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin |
| title_fullStr | Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin |
| title_short | Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin |
| title_sort | enabling effective maize seed system in low income countries of west africa insights from benin |
| topic | seed system maize production seed policy seed governance public-private partnership Benin |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1045629/full |
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