ROLE OF IMPROVED SEEDS TOWARDS IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD AND FOOD SECURITY AT ETHIOPIA

Authors

  • Girma Abebe Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Horticulture and Plant Science, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia
  • Amanuel Alemu Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Horticulture and Plant Science, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v5.i2.2017.1746

Keywords:

Improved Seed, Food Security, Seed System

Abstract [English]

Seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Increasing the quality of seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds and thus, is one of the most economical and efficient inputs to agricultural development. Generation and transfer of improved technologies are critical prerequisites for agricultural development particularly for an agrarian based economy such as of Ethiopian. In Ethiopia, for instance, a unit increase in GDP derived from agriculture has a potential of reducing poverty annually by 1.66% as compared to 0.73% poverty reduction expected from non-agricultural sector. Agriculture, particularly crop farming, has a greater effect on both the rural and the urban poor who spend more than a half of their incomes on food. When there are different seed sources available and farmers get access to them there is high probability of adoption of improved varieties .An enhanced seed availability though formal or informal or both sources will improve smallholder farmer’s access to seed and enhance improved variety adoption. In practice, whenever a farmer is talking about getting a new seed it implies that she or he is deciding to adopt a new variety. The ultimate goal of a farm household in a risk prone agro-ecology is to obtain seed with characteristics suitable to farmers’ agro-ecological and socio-economic condition. Similarly, seed is pivotal in the improvement of food security and farm household livelihood.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alemu, D., Mwangi, W., Nigussie, M. and Spielman, D. (2008). The Maize Seed System in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities in Drought Prone Areas. African Journal of Agricultural Research 3(4): 305-314.

Alene, A., Poonyth, D. and Hassan, R. (2012. Determinants of Adoption and Intensity of Use of Improved Maize Varieties in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia: A Tobit Analysis Agrekon 39(4): 633-643. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2000.9523679

Almekinders, C. (2000). The Importance of Informal Seed Sector and Its Relation with the Legislative Framework. Paper presented at GTZ-Eschborn, July 4-5, 2000.

Almekinders, C. and Louwaars, N. (1999). Farmers’ Seed Production: New Approaches and Practices. London: Intermediate Technology Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3362/9781780442150

Almekinders, C. and Louwaars, N. (2008). Supporting informal seed supply. In: M. H. Thijssen, B. Z., B. A. and W. S. Boef (eds). Farmers, seeds and varieties Supporting informal seed supply in Ethiopia. Wageningen Wageningen International, Programme for Capacity Development and Institutional Change, Wageningen University and Research Centre. pp. 87-96.

Almekinders, C., Thiele and Danial, L. (2007). Can cultivars from participatory plant breeding improve seed provision to small-scale farmers? Euphytica 2007(153): 363-372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-006-9201-9

Bajrang, L., 2008. Technology Transfer and the Seed Innovation System in India Presented in Bangladesh”. Discussion Paper No 7, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University

Beshir, B. and Nishikawa, Y. (2012). An Assessment of Farm Household Diverse Commonbean Seed Sources and the Seed Quality in Central Ethiopia Tropical Agriculture and Development 56(3): 104-112.

Beyene, H. (2008). Adoption of improved tef and wheat production technologies in crop livestock mixed systems in northern and western Shewa zones of Ethiopia. In Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Vol. PhD Pretoria.

Bishaw, Z. (2004). Wheat and Barley Seed Systems in Ethiopia and Syria. PhD thesis Wageningen University.

Cavatassi, R., Lipper, L. and Narloch, U. (2010). Modern variety adoption and risk management in drought prone areas: Insights from the sorghum farmers of eastern Ethiopia. Agricultural Economics 42: 279–292.

Central Statisical Authority (CSA) (2010). Agricultural Sample Survey 2009/2010 (2002 Ethiopian Calender). Report on Area and Production of Crops (Private Peasant Holdings Main Season). Vol. IV, Addis Ababa.

Central Statistical Agency (2011). Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Agricultural Sample Survey 2010 / 2011 (2003 E.C.) (September- December 2010) Report On Area and Production of Major Crops (Private Peasant Holdings, Meher Season), April 2011, Vol. I, Addis Ababa.

Edilegnaw Wale and Detlef Virchow, 2007. Production of sorghum varietal diversity on farmers’ fields in eastern Ethiopia: Economic explanations and implications for on farm conservation Journal of Agricultural Economics 6(2):41-69.

Fasika,T.,(2015).Report on improved seed Irony Published on2015(Vol)15,No770

Feder, G. (1980). Farm Size, Risk Aversion and the Adoption of New Technology under Uncertainty. Oxford Economic Papers 32(2): 263-283.

Firew Mekbib, 2008. Farmers’ Seed System of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in the Center of Diversity: Seed Quality, Storage, Protection and Security Journal of New Seeds,9(3): 191-211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228860802140823

Government of Ethiopia (GoE) (2001). The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Rural Development Policies, Strategies and Instruments. Draft Translation. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Information Press and Audiovisual Department. 151 p.

Giusti, V, 2004. On Farm Seed Production, a Practical and Participatory Proposal for Seed Production, FAO, Rome, Italy

Jaffee, S. and Srivastava, J. (1992). Seed System Development. The Appropriate Roles of the Private and Public Sectors. The World Bank Discussion papers The World Bank, Washington, D.C.

Kiwanuka .S. and J. Kintu, 2004. Seed security in Uganda: Current Status, Issues and Challenges. Journal of agricultural science, 9:17-22.

Langyintuo, A. S., Mwangi, W., Diallo, A., MacRobert, J., Dixon, J. and Bänziger, M. (2010). Challenges of the maize seed industry in eastern and southern Africa: A compelling case for private–public intervention to promote growth. Food Policy 35: 323–331.

Longley, C. and L. Sperling, 2002. ‘Do Farmers Need Relief Seed? A Methodology for Assessing Seed Systems’. Disasters. 26:4 pp. 343–355. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7717.00211

Louwaars N., 2007. Seeds of Confusion: the Impact of Policies on Seed Systems. A PhD Dissertation Presented to Wageningen University, The Netherlands 151p.

Mekbib, F. (1997). Farmer Particiaption in Common bean Genotype Evaluation: The case of Eastern Ethiopia. Expl Agric. 33: 399-409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479797004079

MoARD (2008). Crop Variety Register. Animal and Plan Health Regulatory Directorate Crop Development Department. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developmen (MoARD). 190 p.

MoFED (2010). The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) 2010/11-2014/15 Draft. Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), September 2010. Addis Ababa

National Bank of Ethiopia (2011). Annual report VII. Addis Ababa.

Maredia, M., Howard, J., Boughton, D., Naseem, A. and Wanzala, M. (1999). Increasing Seed System Efficiency in Africa: Concepts, Strategies and issues. MSU International Development Working Papers 77, Michigan.

Pichop, R.C., V.A Tonapi, P.G Bezkorowajnyj, S.S Navi, and N. Seetharama, 2007. Seed System Innovations in the Semi-Arid Tropics of Andhra Pradesh, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India.

Remington, T., J.Marok, S,Walsh,P. Omanga, and E.Charles,2002. ‘Getting Off the Seedsand-tools Treadmill with CRS Seed Vouchers and Fairs’. Disasters. 26:4 pp. 316–328 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7717.00209

Sahlu, Y., Simane, B. and Bishaw, Z. (2008). The farmer-based seed production and marketing scheme: lessons learnt. In: M. H. hijssen, Z. Bishaw, A. Beshir and W.S. de Boef (eds). Farmers, seeds and varieties: supporting informal seed supply in Ethiopia, 33-47 Wageningen: Wageningen International

Spielman, D., Byerlee, D., Alemu, D. and Kelemework, D. (2010). Policies to promote cereal intensification in Ethiopia the search for appropriate public and private roles. Food Policy 35: 185-194.

Spielman, D., Kelemwork, D. and Alemu, D. (2011). Seed, Fertilizer, and Agricultural Extension in Ethiopia. Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II (ESSP II) Working Paper 020. Addis Ababa.

Tsega, M., 1994. An Inventory and Investigation of the Optimum Local Seed Storage Methods in Wello and Shewa Administrative Regions. SOS/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Teshome, A.,L. Fahrig, J.K. Torrance, J.D. Lamber, J.T. Arnason, B.R., Baum, 1999. Maintenance of sorghum bicolor, Poaceae land race diversity by farmers’ in Ethipia Economic botany 53:79-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860796

Von Braun,J., Bouis, H.,Kumar,S., and R.Lorch ,1992.Improving Food security of the poor: Concept, Policy and Programs.IFPRI,Washington,D.C. IFPRI.

Zewdie Bishaw., and A.R.T. Gastel, 2008. ICARDA’s Approach to Seed Delivery in Less Favorable Areas Through Village-Based Seed Enterprises: Conceptual and OrganizationalIssues. Journal of New Seed.9:1 pp 68-88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228860701879331

Downloads

Published

2017-02-28

How to Cite

Abebe, G., & Alemu, A. (2017). ROLE OF IMPROVED SEEDS TOWARDS IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD AND FOOD SECURITY AT ETHIOPIA. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 5(2), 338–356. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v5.i2.2017.1746