Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition

This paper reviews the structure and performance of the sorghum and millet seed sector in Mali. The Sahel is the origin of pearl millet and sorghum, seed selection and management of these crops is embedded in local cultures, and most producers of these crops are subsistence oriented. Despite seed se...

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Autores principales: Diakité, Lamissa, Sidibé, Amadou, Smale, Melinda, Grum, Mikkel
Formato: Artículo preliminar
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 2008
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160090
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author Diakité, Lamissa
Sidibé, Amadou
Smale, Melinda
Grum, Mikkel
author_browse Diakité, Lamissa
Grum, Mikkel
Sidibé, Amadou
Smale, Melinda
author_facet Diakité, Lamissa
Sidibé, Amadou
Smale, Melinda
Grum, Mikkel
author_sort Diakité, Lamissa
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper reviews the structure and performance of the sorghum and millet seed sector in Mali. The Sahel is the origin of pearl millet and sorghum, seed selection and management of these crops is embedded in local cultures, and most producers of these crops are subsistence oriented. Despite seed sector reform, no certified seed of these crops is sold in local markets and farmers prefer to rely on themselves or each other for seed. The dominant source of certified seed is the national seed service. Certified seed is multiplied by contracted farmers and seed producer groups, and supplied to farmers through farmers' associations, development organizations, and extension services. The informal sector supplies farmers with non-certified seed directly and indirectly through village grain markets. There is no consensus about whether it is lack of effective demand or supply that constrains farmer use of certified sorghum and millet seed, but researchers generally conclude that the process of certifying seed is too lengthy, some mechanism must be established for production and trade of locally-adapted landraces, and Mali's highly structured farmers' associations could play an even stronger role in testing and promoting demand for certified seed. Recommendations have included the use of small packs and seed auctions where market infrastructure is sparse, and in more commercialized areas, involvement of agro-input dealers, shopkeepers and traders. Still, estimated adoption rates for improved millet (under 10 percent of crop area) and sorghum seed (under 20 percent of crop area) could be as high as can be expected in this challenging natural environment and institutional context.
format Artículo preliminar
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language Inglés
publishDate 2008
publishDateRange 2008
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spelling CGSpace1600902025-11-06T07:18:31Z Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition Diakité, Lamissa Sidibé, Amadou Smale, Melinda Grum, Mikkel seeds formal sector informal sector millets sorghum seed systems biodiversity value chains This paper reviews the structure and performance of the sorghum and millet seed sector in Mali. The Sahel is the origin of pearl millet and sorghum, seed selection and management of these crops is embedded in local cultures, and most producers of these crops are subsistence oriented. Despite seed sector reform, no certified seed of these crops is sold in local markets and farmers prefer to rely on themselves or each other for seed. The dominant source of certified seed is the national seed service. Certified seed is multiplied by contracted farmers and seed producer groups, and supplied to farmers through farmers' associations, development organizations, and extension services. The informal sector supplies farmers with non-certified seed directly and indirectly through village grain markets. There is no consensus about whether it is lack of effective demand or supply that constrains farmer use of certified sorghum and millet seed, but researchers generally conclude that the process of certifying seed is too lengthy, some mechanism must be established for production and trade of locally-adapted landraces, and Mali's highly structured farmers' associations could play an even stronger role in testing and promoting demand for certified seed. Recommendations have included the use of small packs and seed auctions where market infrastructure is sparse, and in more commercialized areas, involvement of agro-input dealers, shopkeepers and traders. Still, estimated adoption rates for improved millet (under 10 percent of crop area) and sorghum seed (under 20 percent of crop area) could be as high as can be expected in this challenging natural environment and institutional context. 2008 2024-11-21T09:50:04Z 2024-11-21T09:50:04Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160090 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Diakité, Lamissa; Sidibé, Amadou; Smale, Melinda; Grum, Mikkel. 2008. Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali. IFPRI Discussion Paper 749. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160090
spellingShingle seeds
formal sector
informal sector
millets
sorghum
seed systems
biodiversity
value chains
Diakité, Lamissa
Sidibé, Amadou
Smale, Melinda
Grum, Mikkel
Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title_full Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title_fullStr Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title_full_unstemmed Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title_short Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition
title_sort seed value chains for sorghum and millet in mali a state based system in transition
topic seeds
formal sector
informal sector
millets
sorghum
seed systems
biodiversity
value chains
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160090
work_keys_str_mv AT diakitelamissa seedvaluechainsforsorghumandmilletinmaliastatebasedsystemintransition
AT sidibeamadou seedvaluechainsforsorghumandmilletinmaliastatebasedsystemintransition
AT smalemelinda seedvaluechainsforsorghumandmilletinmaliastatebasedsystemintransition
AT grummikkel seedvaluechainsforsorghumandmilletinmaliastatebasedsystemintransition