Modelling Seed System Networks in Mali to Improve Farmers Seed Supply

Abstract

<p>Food security remains a constant source of concern in Mali, where over 75% of the population derives their living from agriculture. Despite the huge theoretical need, the production and use of improved seeds remain very limited. Concurrently, genetic erosion and the disappearance of certain local varieties have been observed.</p> <p>The dual need to preserve agricultural biodiversity as a factor of resilience for production systems while disseminating improved varieties as a means to increase production raises questions regarding what type or types of organization could best respond to these agricultural challenges. The farmer seed network in Mali is based on the self-production of pearl millet and sorghum seeds and operates through non-commercial, community-based exchanges. The formal seed sector distributes certified seeds through cooperatives, with cost-effectiveness the main priority. The joining of these two seed networks could allow agro-biodiversity to be considered in such a way that genetic diversity can be maintained.</p> <p>The various pearl millet and sorghum seed exchange networks often are considered to be in opposition, with the formal network pitted against the informal one. By highlighting points where the two systems could come together, the proposed model allows a new perspective on seed flows and agro-biodiversity management. The global seed network that could emerge from this would, on one hand, remedy the failure of the state seed system inspired by a Western model in which seed production and distribution is disconnected from agricultural production, and, on the other, compensate for shortcomings in the traditional farmer seed system to increase productivity and sustainably manage farmer pearl millet and sorghum varieties while continuously introducing new genetic resources.</p>

Adoption of New Sorghum Varieties in Mali Through a Participatory Approach

“…One plausible explanation is the emergence of market opportunities, resulting from the structural reforms. Previously, seed supply was entirely managed by the state [9,84]. This change with the creation of the Malian Agriculture Orientation Law in 2006, which gives farmers' organizations the authority to produce and commercialize certified seeds.…”

“…Sorghum is the most grown and consumed cereal in the world, just after maize, rice, wheat, and barley. In Mali, it is the first crop consumed by rural populations [9]. It is grown in subsistence farming.…”

“…This varietal innovation process takes into account farmers' preferences, involves farmers in collaborative testing, and promotes farmer-managed new variety diffusion [7,11].By sustainable practice we refer to farming activities that include the social, economic and environmental dimensions [19]. We consider farmers' participation in the varietal improvement of sorghum in Mali as a sustainable practice insofar as it [5,7,9,20,21]: (1) Involves both men and women, taking into account their needs and preferences (social or inclusive dimension); (2) creates opportunities for seed production and commercialization by farmer organizations and their members (economic dimension); and (3), integrates the local materials and conditions of farmers (environmental dimension). The environmental aspect of this innovation process is that much of the improved germplasm in Mali has also derived from the local Guinea race of sorghum rather than imported, highly-bred germplasm.…”

Revitalizing cultivation and strengthening the seed systems of fonio and Bambara groundnut in Mali through a community biodiversity management approach

“…The declining use of food plants is linked with loss of knowledge and awareness of associated practices and values (Virchow, 2008; Kerr, 2014; Chivenge et al ., 2015). Inadequate information and lack of trust also limit farmer adoption of varieties from the formal seed system in Mali (Diakité et al ., 2008; Coulibaly et al ., 2014). The diversity field fora contributed to overcome these challenges by encouraging experiential learning.…”

Implications of Seed Policies for On-Farm Agro-Biodiversity in Ethiopia and Uganda

“…However, informal seed systems may suffer from a lack of quality control mechanisms and cannot guarantee minimum quality standards (de Jonge, 2014;Gibson, 2013). This limitation is exacerbated in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa where migration, aging rural populations, and the emergence of local food and seed markets where sellers and customers do not know each other are weakening the social connections that once allowed farmers to access reliable information about the quality of available seed (Coulibaly et al, 2014).…”