In most developing countries, good quality seed is hard to obtain and farmers struggle to save seed from one year to the next. In many areas, farmers have come to rely on seed enterprises that multiply, store and distribute seed.
This book takes a people-centred look at the companies, public agencies and family farms that are taking on this role and making a difference to food security across Africa. Case studies are arranged by country, and each chapter includes a profile of the agricultural and policy environment that surrounds these enterprises and affects their development.
1. Introduction: A full granary; 2. How seed works; 3. Cameroon: Revolving funds make a difference; 4. Nigeria: Clustered seed companies; 5. Mali: When government gives entrepreneurs room to grow; 6. Guinea: Networks that work; 7. The Gambia: Capturing the media; 8. Morocco: The visible hand; 9. Kenya: A company, a cooperative and a family; 10. Uganda: Dreams of starting a company; 11. Madagascar: coping with relief aid and politics; 12. Conclusions.