Robert Tripp

Policies for African seed enterprise development

Abstract The commercial seed sector has been slow to develop in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper examines the major impediments and identifies areas in which seed policies can be strengthened. Seed enterprise development has been hampered by regulatory frameworks that favor parastatal enterprises and that inhibit commercial innovation. In addition, government and donor projects provide large amounts of free or subsidized seed that further discourages seed enterprise development. In addition to regulatory reform and the curtailment of many seed distribution projects, there are other policy changes that need to be implemented. National agricultural research institutes need to invest more resources in promoting their varieties and helping to stimulate commercial seed production. Greater emphasis is required on regional strategies for public plant breeding and private seed marketing. National policies need to strengthen input marketing capacity and infrastructure. Finally, donors, governments and NGOs should shift from trying to encourage village-level commercial seed production and instead strengthen farmers’ capacities to assess new varieties and to be effective consumers of commercial inputs.

Biodiversity and modern crop varieties: Sharpening the debate

Debates about the relationship between agricultural technology and the conservation of crop genetic diversity are often hampered by unclear vocabulary and imprecise data. Various interpretations of the terms “modern variety,” “local variety,” “hybrid,” and “green revolution” are first explored, and then evidence is examined regarding the effect of modern varieties on intra- and intercrop diversity, risk, input use, and farmer decision-making. The objective is to urge a more reasoned debate about the future of plant genetic resources.

Can biotechnology reach the poor? The adequacy of information and seed delivery

Abstract The paper examines the expectation that biotechnology can provide significant benefits for smallholder farmers. It uses evidence from current seed systems and variety choice in developing countries. In particular, it examines the adequacy of information flow and the performance of seed markets. Many of the biotechnology innovations proposed for use by smallholders feature qualities that may not be immediately obvious to farmers; implications are drawn for the potential demand for these transgenic varieties. The adequacy of seed systems is also examined, including the characteristics of local seed diffusion and the experience of commercial seed enterprises. The paper concludes that investments in public biotechnology must be accompanied by policies that encourage commercial seed system development and that empower farmers to be able to take full advantage of new technology.

Seed regulation: choices on the road to reform

Major changes in national seed systems, including the rapid development of commercial seed enterprises, the growth of non-governmental organization (NGO) seed projects, and the concomitant decline of public sector seed provision, call for a re-examination of seed regulatory frameworks in developing countries. Privatization and deregulation are often presented as logical partners, but the nature of seed system change and the complexities of regulatory responsibility make seed regulatory reform less straightforward than it first appears. Challenges include the limited opportunities for commercial seed development, the need to provide guidance to seed systems in transition, the international pressures for plant variety protection (PVP), and significant differences among various national regulatory approaches. Problems with the conduct of current seed regulations include significant inefficiency, the use of inappropriate standards, inadequate opportunities for the participation of new entrants to the seed system, and a lack of transparency. Specific guidelines are offered for: reorganizing variety registration and performance testing; providing a balanced opportunity for PVP; and broadening participation in seed quality control. National seed regulatory agencies will see their role shift from the direct supervision of seed production towards technical and policy support for the development of a wider range of seed provision options.

The Private Delivery of Public Crop Varieties: Rice in Andhra Pradesh

Although there has been a considerable growth of private seed enterprises in developing countries, there are few examples of the private delivery of seed of public crop varieties that are not hybrids. This paper discusses the example of rice in Andhra Pradesh, where private enterprise is supplying an increasing proportion of the seed used by farmers. The institutional conditions for private expansion into rice seed are examined. The paper discusses instances where low transaction costs allow for the emergence of a wide range of seed enterprises. But despite the success of private seed delivery, inadequate attention has been given to incentives for variety promotion, and to the importance of consumer education.

Agricultural Technology Policies for Rural Development

The contribution of farming to rural development is highly dependent on the generation and delivery of new agricultural technology. The conventional narrative about agricultural technology calls for a new Green Revolution, aimed at small farmers, and driven by publicly funded research. However, agricultural technology policy for the future will need to differentiate clearly between the needs of emerging commercial farmers, many of them engaged with global commodity chains and requiring support in managing information‐ and skill‐intensive innovations, and the needs of a semi‐subsistence and often part‐time sector, requiring simple, often labour‐saving, technology. The public sector has a role to play in both sectors, in research on its own account, but also in managing intellectual property rights, public‐private research partnerships, and information delivery to farming.

The Performance of Low External Input Technology in Agricultural Development: A Summary of Three Case Studies

This paper summarises the findings of a study that examined the performance of low external input technology (LEIT) in three major projects. The projects promoted soil restoration (Honduras), soil and water conservation (Kenya) and IPM (Sri Lanka). The focus projects were large and well-managed and the study examined outcomes five or more years after project completion. An assessment of the utilisation, adaptation and abandonment of the technologies, found fairly consistent experiences that allow several general conclusions. In many instances LEIT makes important contributions to farm productivity. LEIT is not usefully categorised as labour-intensive, and the growing importance of hired labour makes it difficult to see LEITas a separate class of technology. Its uptake patterns are similar to those of conventional technology (with commercial incentives particularly important) and spontaneous diffusion of the technology is often less than expected. LEIT, on its own, makes only modest contributions to strengthening human and social capital. Implications for the promotion of LEIT and the development of farmer organisations are discussed.

Can the public sector meet the challenge of private research? Commentary on "Falcon and Fowler" and "Pingali and Traxler"

Abstract The growth of private sector participation in agricultural research has serious implications for pro-poor technology development, but there are other factors that must be considered. New plant varieties are not the only things standing between resource-poor farmers and secure livelihoods, and institutional strengthening is also necessary. In addition, the current state of public agricultural research is cause for concern. It is not clear how many effective public–private partnerships can be formed; the public sector needs a much clearer definition of its targets and priorities; and funding strategies for national and international agricultural research must be overhauled.

Seed Regulatory Reform

Abstract There is general agreement that a national seed regulatory regime should respond to economic, political and technological factors specific to the particular country, but there is considerable controversy regarding the direction of regulatory reform. Regulation can be seen as a response to deficiencies in information. In the case of seed regulation, the major concerns are ensuring that farmers have adequate information about the seed that they purchase and that society is protected from negative externalities. Although these aims are clear, the performance of seed regulation is often problematic in terms of efficiency, relevance and transparency. Any approach to regulatory reform must acknowledge that it will be the outcome of political compromise; assign responsibilities for the distinct elements of regulation (standards, monitoring and enforcement); and take full advantage of market mechanisms for transmitting information.

Civil society and economic growth

This paper explores the possible links between civil society and support for science and technology in Africa. Civil society represents an exceptionally complex arena and the interests of civil society are not necessarily aligned with technological development. Donor assistance needs to support civil society development in Africa to maximise the growth of science and technology. This includes supporting viable producer organisations and qualified NGOs and investing in institutions such as markets and professional associations. Attention is also required for appropriate policies, including support to public-private partnerships, the development of responsive regulatory frameworks and attention to information provision.