Formal and Informal Seed Systems in Kenya: Supporting Indigenous Vegetable Seed Quality

Croft, Marcia M.; Marshall, María I.; Odendo, Martins; Ndinya, Christine; Ondego, Naman N.; Obura, Pamela; Hallett, Steven G.

doi:10.1080/00220388.2017.1308487

Cited by 37 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The use of elite germplasm is a prerequisite for high-quality produce; there is a need to develop good quality seed through breeding to make good quality products available for processing and marketing. Viable informal and formal indigenous vegetable seed supply systems exist in Kenya [9]. Considering the self-pollination mode and inconspicuous flowers of most ALV species, broadening the species' genetic base could be of great importance for the efficient and successful development of improved cultivars.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Production of ALVs is still concentrated on marginal lands as the best resources are dedicated to producing the main cereals, legumes, and a few exotic vegetables. Poor seed quality remains a major constraint limiting the productivity of ALVs as farmers still rely on retained seeds of landraces because the formal seed retailers have been slow to enter this market gap [9]. The lack of improved cultivars and continued use of landraces means that productivity remains low (yield per unit land) [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

et al. 2021

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The economic potential of African leafy vegetables (ALVs) remains obscured by a poorly developed value chain. This scoping review assembled and examined scattered knowledge generated on ALVs across southern Africa, focusing on production, processing, marketing, and consumption. Two electronic databases (Scopus and Web of Science) were screened, and a total of 71 relevant studies were included and evaluated. The review provides a state of the art on knowledge related to utilisation of ALVs across the entire value chain. The findings show that functional properties are of prime importance in the production and consumption of ALVs. However, the lack of improved germplasm and a non-existent seed supply system are significant production bottlenecks. Pests and diseases affecting the productivity of ALVs remain mostly unexplored. Sun-drying and boiling were the most reported post-harvest processing methods, suggesting that traditional processing methods are still prominent. Many studies also confirmed the predominance of informal markets in the trading of ALVs as they fail to penetrate formal markets because of poor product positioning and exclusion from produce demand and supply forecasts. The inception of cultivar development, mechanised processing methods, and market linkages will enhance the profitability of ALVs in the region. This review enhances the gaining of insight into the state of different value chain components will assist in upscaling production, value addition of products, and enhance marketing efficiency. There is a great opportunity for basic and applied research into ALVs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

et al. 2021

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“…However, without proper mechanisms to address this threat, seed companies will be reluctant to invest and prefer to do business in countries where they are better able to protect their brands. There is a lack of data and analysis about the scale of counterfeiting and low-quality seed of vegetables in Africa but a study on indigenous vegetables in Kenya suggested that the problem is significant (Croft et al 2018). Hence, more regulatory attention needs to be given to point of sale inspection.…”

Section: Create An Enabling Regulatory Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This share will be much lower for vegetables, especially among commercial vegetable producers (Schreinemachers et al 2017a). Still, farmer-saved seed remains important for many traditional vegetable crops for which the formal sector offers few alternatives (Croft et al 2018) and also for home gardens and semi-commercial farms. It is therefore important that the regulatory environment does not restrict the rights of farmers to develop their own vegetable varieties and produce and exchange seed.…”

Section: Create An Enabling Regulatory Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Africa’s evolving vegetable seed sector: status, policy options and lessons from Asia

Schreinemachers¹,

Howard

Turner

et al. 2021

Food Sec.

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Fostering better access to more nutritious foods across sub-Saharan Africa will be critical to ending hunger and malnutrition. In Asia, vegetable production and consumption have grown rapidly since the 1990s and the development of a dynamic vegetable seed industry, led by the private sector, played a pivotal role in this process. The availability of locally-bred and adapted varieties facilitated the rapid expansion of production and increased the supply of affordable vegetables to consumers. In contrast, the vegetable seed sector in sub-Saharan Africa has been slow to develop and has received little attention in the development agenda. Drawing from Asia’s experience, this paper outlines a four-point strategy to accelerate the vegetable seed sector in sub-Saharan Africa. First, there is a need to strengthen the technical capacity of African seed companies to allow them to develop varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions and consumer preferences. Second, seed regulations, originally designed with food grains in mind, should be reviewed and revised to facilitate domestic vegetable breeding research and seed production. Third, more farmer extension is needed to exploit improved varieties together with good management practices. Fourth, vegetable marketing systems should be strengthened to reduce risks to farmers and traders. Investment in these four areas will help energize private sector investment in the vegetable seed sector. Asian experience suggests that investment in locally adapted vegetable varieties is a critical step in improving productivity, availability and ultimately consumption of nutritious vegetables.

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“…Use of farm saved seed as a result of the current recurring shortage of certified seed experienced in Sub Saharan countries accelerate late blight that could result in total crop loss (Muthoni et al, 2017). Croft et al (2017) reported that higher seed quality results to higher germinability and improved yield. To contribute to improved seed system, modern technology have been developed to produce clean seed including stem and apical cuttings produced through tissue culture techniques (Atkinson & Parker, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost Benefit Analyses in Managing Late Blight Through Trichoderma asperellum Seed Treatment and Ridomil® Application on Potato

Jackson¹,

Joseph²,

Wambomba³

et al. 2020

JAS

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Fungicides overuse in management of late blight has led to increased cost of production and biodiversity issues. To better understand costs and benefits associated with seed treatment to reduce fungicide application, apical cutting and tuber seed crop were pre-treated by either peridermal injection or dipping using T. asperellum suspension at 33%, 66% and 100% concentration and then sprayed separately with Ridomil® (Metalaxyl 4% + Mancozeb 64%) at 21, 14 and 7 (Manufacturer’s Recommended Regime) days interval. Results showed that apical cuttings had 7.5% higher disease severity and 0.2% lower yield than crop from seed tuber. Untreated and 33% T. asperellum were not significant different (p = 0.05) in disease and yield scores. T. asperellum concentration at 66% and 100% reduced disease severity by 26% and 27% resulting to 30% and 29% yield increment respectively. Spray interval of 14 days did not differ significantly from 7 day spray interval in terms of disease score and yield but the regime MRR% was double 7 day spray interval. Maximum yield loss was observed in unprotected plots followed by treatments sprayed at 21 days interval. Combination of 66% and 100% T. asperellum concentration with 14 days interval resulted to higher yield and marginal rate of return compared to any other combination. Seed dipping was four times profitable than injection. The findings suggest that seed treatment at 66% and 100% T. asperellum concentration by dipping in combination with Ridomil® application at 14 days interval significantly reduced late blight epidemics and improved on yield and consequently increased net farm income.

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Formal and Informal Seed Systems in Kenya: Supporting Indigenous Vegetable Seed Quality

Cited by 37 publications

References 27 publications

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

Africa’s evolving vegetable seed sector: status, policy options and lessons from Asia

Cost Benefit Analyses in Managing Late Blight Through Trichoderma asperellum Seed Treatment and Ridomil® Application on Potato

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