Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews pp 197–211Cite as

Sorghum and Millet Seed Systems in Southern Africa

  • Chapter

  • 1179 Accesses

Part of the book series: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews ((SARV,volume 16))

Abstract

Sorghum and millet are major traditional cereal crops in southern Africa for food security in marginal areas. They are largely grown by smallholder farmers. Most national agricultural research systems (NARS) in the region have developed sorghum and millet varieties that have found wide appeal to farmers. Impact studies conducted in the region, however, show that adoption rates are largely low. Some of the reasons cited for this are lack of improved seed, largely due to poor seed delivery systems. Smallholder farmers, as a result, have limited access to responsive, high-yielding, locally adapted varieties of their staple food crops.

Both the formal and informal seed systems reviewed in this article do not entirely address this problem. Initiatives to improve access to sorghum and millet varieties released in the region must primarily target the informal sector and integrate it with formal sector to efficiently provide seed. This involves establishing local seed producers who can then supply their community members with seed. Four models were proposed at the local level and are currently in use:

  1. 1.

    On-farm seed production by the community for local distribution.

  2. 2.

    Smallholder farmer seed production on contract by seed companies

  3. 3.

    Production and packaging in small pack

  4. 4.

    Rural primary schools as centers for multiplication and distribution

This article, through the above approaches, presents some practical examples of an integrated approach to multiply and distribute improved seed of sorghum and millet to farmers in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Almekinders CJM, Louwaars NP, de Bruijin GH (1994) Local seed systems and their importance for an improved seed supply in developing countries. Euphytica 78:207–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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

    Google Scholar 

  • Anandajayasekeram P, Martella DR, Sanders J, Kupfuma B (1995) Impact assessment of the SADC/ICRISAT sorghum and millet improvement program, vol I. SACCAR, Gaborone

    Google Scholar 

  • Baird GB (1985) The role of a well-organised seed industry. In: House LR (ed) A guide to sorghum breeding, 2nd edn. ICRISAT, Patancheru

    Google Scholar 

  • CALR (2012) The SADC harmonized seed regulatory system: a review of National Seed Policy Alignment Processes in HaSSP Project countries August 2012. Centre for Applied Legal Research (CALR), Harare. www.ca-lr.org

  • Chilonda P, Isaac M (2007) Agricultural growth trends in Southern Africa. Policy brief no 1. May 2007. ReSAKSS-SA http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00358/papers/presentations/Agricultural_growth_trends_Chilonda_May2007.pdf)

  • Chisi M (2002) Genetic improvement of sorghum and pearl millet in southern Africa. Paper presentation at INTSORMIL Principal Investigators Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nov 17–23 2002

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisi MP, Anandajayasekeram D, Martella MA, Mwape M (1997) Impact assessment of sorghum research in Zambia. Southern African Center for Cooperation in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training (SACCAR), Gaborone

    Google Scholar 

  • Cromell, E. (1996). Governments, Farmers and Seeds in a changing Africa (London: CAB International and Overseas Development Institute)

    Google Scholar 

  • CRS, ICRISAT and ODI (2002) Seed vouchers and fairs: a manual for seed-based recovery after disaster in Africa. http://www.crsprogramquality.org/publications/2011/1/12/seed-vouchers-and-fairs.html

  • David S (2004) Farmer seed enterprises: a sustainable approach to seed delivery? Agric Human Values 21:387–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David S, Sperling L (1999) Improving technology delivery mechanisms: lessons from bean seed systems research in eastern and central Africa. Agric Human Values 16:381–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon J, Gulliver A, Gibbon D (2001) Farming systems and poverty. In: Malcolm H (Principal Ed) Improving farmers’ livelihoods in a changing world. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2005) Current world fertilizer trends and outlook to 2009/10. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2006) FAOSTAT data. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO/World Bank (2001) Farming systems and poverty. Improving farmers’ livelihoods in a changing world. FAO/World Bank, Rome/Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • GRZ. CSO (2003) Zambia, 2000 census of population and housing report. The Central Statistical Office, Government Printer, Lusaka

    Google Scholar 

  • GRZ. CSO (2006) Zambia. Living conditions monitoring survey Zambia, 2004. The Central Statistical Office, Government Printer, Lusaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Harries A, Cortes J (2009) Model seed act for southern Africa countries. Seed Science Center Global Seed Program, Iowa State University, Ames, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Maredia M, Howard J, Boughton D, Naseem A, Wanzala M, Kajisa K (1999) Increasing seed system efficiency in Africa: concepts, strategies and issues. MSU International Development working papers MSU International Department of Agricultural Economics, working paper no. 77. Michigan State University, Michigan. Web Site: http://www.aec.msu.edu/agecon/

  • Mgonja M; Food Agriculture and Natural Resource Policy analysis Network (2011) Seeds without borders. Policy brief series issue no. 1: vol XI. ICRISAT, Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Mgonja MA, Chandra S, Monyo ES, Gwata ET, Chisi M, Saadan HM, Kudita S (2005a) Improving the efficiencies of crop breeding programs through region-based approaches: the case of sorghum and pearl millet in southern Africa. J Food Agric Environ: JFAE 3(3&4):124–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Mgonja MA, Monyo ES, Chandra S (2005b) Enhancing crop breeding programmes: the case of sorghum and pearl millet in southern Africa. Afr Crop Sci J 13(3):201–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Minot N (2007) Seed development programs in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of experiences. Rockefeller Foundation, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Monyo ES, Rohrbach PP, Mgonja MA (2003) New partnerships to strengthen seed systems in southern Africa: Innovative community/commercial seed supply models. In: Setimela PS, Monyo E, Banziger M (eds) Successful community based seed production strategies. CIMMYT, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagarajan L, Smale M (2005) Local seed systems and village-level determinants of millet crop diversity in marginal environments of India. EPTD Discussion Paper 135. IFPRI, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakaponda B (2012) ISSD briefing note – September 2012. Zambia seed sector assessment. Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen University and Research centre (CDI), Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academy Press (1996) The lost crops of Africa, vol I, Grains. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, pp 93–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Neate PJH, Guéi RG (2010) Promoting the growth and development of smallholder seed enterprises for Food Security Crops. Rome. http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1839e/i1839e00.pdf

  • Obilana AB, Monyo ES, Gupta SC (1996) Impact of genetic improvement in sorghum and pearl millet: developing country experiences. In proceedings of the international conference on genetic improvement of sorghum and pearl millet, September 23–27 1996, Lubbock, pp 119–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Pretorius AJ, McLaren NW, van den Berg J, Wenzel WG (1994) The sorghum improvement program at the Grain Crops Institute, South Africa. In: Drought – tolerant crops for southern Africa. Proceedings of the SADC/ICRISAT Regional Sorghum and Millet Workshop, 25–29 July 1994, Gaborone, Botswana. ICRISAT, Gaborone

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao AS, House LR, Gupta SC (1989) Review of sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet improvement in SADCC countries. SACCAR, Gaborone. SADC/ICRISAT (SMIP), Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program. Phases III and IV 15 September 1993–15 September 2003. Patancheru, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohrbach D, Kiala D (2007) Development options for local seed systems in Mozambique. An Open Access Journal published by ICRISAT 3(1):9–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohrbach DD, Minde IJ, Howard J (2003) Looking beyond national boundaries: regional harmonization of seed policies, laws and regulations. Food Policy 28:317–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubyogo JC, Sperling L, Nasirumbi L, Kasambala S (2007) Developing seed systems with and for the marginalized: case of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in east, central and southern Africa. Paper presented at a workshop on farmer first revisited: farmer participatory research for development, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 12–14 December 2007

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubyogo JC, Sperling L, Nasirumbi L, Kasambara C (2007) Developing seed systems with and for the marginalized: case of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in east, central and southern Africa. Paper presented at a workshop on farmer first revisited: farmer participatory research for development, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 12–14 December 2007. Available from: http://www.future-agricultures.org/farmerfirst/files/T1a_Rubyogo.pdf. Accessed 12 Nov 2009

  • SADC (2008) The southern Africa regional conference on agriculture: agriculture-led development for southern Africa: strategic investment priorities for halving hunger and poverty by 2015. SADC, Gaborone

    Google Scholar 

  • Setimela PS, Monyo E, Banziger M (eds) (2004) Successful community based seed production strategies. CIMMYT, Mexico, DF

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L (2008) When disaster strikes: a guide to assessing seed system security. International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Cali

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L, Cooper HD (2003) Understanding seed systems in seed security. In: Improving the effectiveness and sustainability of seed relief. In: Proceedings of a stakeholders workshop in Rome 26–28 May, 2003. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L, Mcguire S (2010) Understanding and strengthening informal seed markets. Expl Agric 46(2):119–136. Cambridge University Press 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L, Urs S, Robin B (1992) Designing bean seed systems for smallholders farmers’ participatory research workshop sponsored by FARM Africa, 17–19 February 1992, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L, Cooper HD, Remington T (2008) Moving toward more effective seed aid. J Devel Stud 44(4):586–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tripp R (2003) How to cultivate a commercial seed. Sector Overseas Development Institute London. Paper prepared for the symposium “Sustainable agriculture in the Sahel”, Bamako, Mali, 1–5 December 2003

    Google Scholar 

  • Wekundah J (2012) Why informal seed sector is important in food security. African Technology Policy studies network. Biotechnology Trust Africa. Special paper series. no. 43

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (2006) World development indicators CD-ROM. Washington, DC. Online at http://www.worldbank.org

  • Zerbe N (2001) Seed of hope, seeds of despair: towards a political economy of the seed industry in southern African. Third World Q 22(4):657–673

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zambia Seed Company, Lusaka, Zambia

    Medson Chisi

Authors
  1. Medson Chisi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Medson Chisi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. INRA-CMSE-PME, Dijon cedex, France

    Eric Lichtfouse

  2. Bayer Crop Science, Bayer Inc, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Aakash Goyal

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chisi, M. (2015). Sorghum and Millet Seed Systems in Southern Africa. In: Lichtfouse, E., Goyal, A. (eds) Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, vol 16. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16988-0_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation