Abstract
BackgroundSeed systems are considered as a vehicle through which the sustainable agricultural intensification can be achieved. However, most sub-Saharan African countries have been ineffective to provide sufficient incentives for stakeholders to consistently invest in the seed systems specifically for crops like sorghum. This study was therefore conducted to uncover investment opportunities for stakeholders in the sorghum seed systems to attain an impact-oriented seed production and delivery systems.ResultsThe study applied descriptive statistics, Logit regression model, and Gross margin to analyze possible areas for investments. Descriptive statistics analyzed the percentage of farmers using sorghum improved varieties and sources used to obtained improved variety seeds. Logit regression model was applied to analyze factors correlating with planting of improved seeds. Gross margin was applied to show profitability of growing improved sorghum seeds and grain. Findings revealed that 39.2% of the sampled farmers were growing improved sorghum variety seeds. Farmers obtained improved variety seeds from both informal (57.8%) and formal (42.2%) sources. Logit estimates indicate that variety preference, unavailability of seeds, resistance to diseases, and drought had significant correlation with planting of improved variety seeds. Seed companies and quality declared seed (QDS) producers earned high margin of 53,08,900 Tanzanian Shillings per hectare (TZS/ha, 1 USD = 2315 TZS during the period of data collection) and 33,94,709 TZS/ha, respectively. Farmers using improved variety seed earned higher margin (8,19,805 TZS/ha) than farmers who did not use improved variety seeds (3,17,373 TZS/ha)ConclusionsThe identified investment opportunities were increasing number of farmers using improved variety seeds that would drive increased production, distribution, and marketing of quality seed. The large number of farmers still sourcing seed from the informal channel provides avenue to reach out to these farmers through demand creation and wide variety popularization meeting farmer preferences. The huge margin seed producers make provides good incentive to drive private seed companies and individual seed entrepreneurs to make sustainable business out of sorghum seed. The policy implications for reviving sorghum production and productivity are further discussed.
Highlights
Seed systems are considered as a vehicle through which the sustainable agricultural intensification can be achieved
The results show that within the intervention areas, there were districts that have below 5% of farmers producing improved varieties
It was observed that 57.8% of the farmers used informal sources to acquire improved variety seeds, while 42.2% of them obtained seeds from formal sources (NGOs, quality declared seed (QDS) producers, Government, agro-dealers)
Summary
Seed systems are considered as a vehicle through which the sustainable agricultural intensification can be achieved. For decades’ food and nutrition security and poverty reduction have been among the top areas of interventions in SSA countries through various public policies and investments for agricultural development. Tackling these issues in the developing countries continues to be a major challenge [4]. Sustainable agricultural intensification measures to raise yields and production in the currently available arable land without destroying the environment become a requisite This is one of the requirements for attaining the Malabo Declaration goal of eradicating hunger, halving poverty in Africa by 2025, as well as achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030, which aims to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
