Demand and Supply Status of Improved Seed and Factor Governing It in Ethiopia

Abstract

Seed is among the most key input for improving crop production and productivity. The use of improved, high yielding crop varieties is an important way for reducing hunger and food insecurity in developing countries. Increasing the quality of seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds. Hence, access to and uses of seeds are critical factors for the ability of smallholder farmers to increase agricultural production and productivity, for improving livelihoods. The Ethiopia seed system has undergone tremendous changes. But, still the sector is unable to guarantee farmers’ access to seed of improved varieties, in the right quantity, of the right quality, and in a timely manner, mainly because of the   absence of linkage and integration among the stakeholders; there is a substantial gap exists between the production and supply of commercial seed and farmers’ demand. On average, 12 million hectares of land is cultivated by major food crops over the last five years in Ethiopia, of which 10,979,645 hectares was covered by non-improved local seeds. Which of the total annual arable land coverage by major food crops, 96.5% is covered by local seed and 3.5% is by improved seeds. The annual average seed demand for cereals and pulses is estimated to be over 400,000 tons. Demand for improved seed is still increasing rapidly from time to time over the last years. So, improve basic facilities, infrastructure, improve productivity gaps, establish strong coordination between producer, processor and delivery is compulsory.

Keywords: Seed, demand, supply, improved

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-3-04