Seed Systems in Uganda: Review of Present Status and Future Needs

Abstract

Seed systems provide a foundation for agricultural development. Agriculture is the dominant occupation in the continent, employing 70% of the population in Africa and 68% in Uganda. If governments are to transform rural areas and their people, investment has to target agriculture and the seed sector must be a high priority. Globally, tremendous gains have been achieved by using quality seed because crop performance as well as response of other inputs in crop production largely depends on the seed material planted. It is estimated that good quality seeds of improved varieties can contribute about 20-25% increase in yield in general, and much more in specific cases where new varieties overcome major disease problems. The seed industry in Uganda and other developing countries is however still evolving and faces numerous challenges. The Ugandan seed laws recognize the existence of only two seed systems, formal and informal seed systems, with almost exclusive emphasis on the formal systems. However, actual seed systems are very diverse when all crops and types of producers are considered. In this paper, the seed industry in Uganda is described in terms of five distinct Seed Systems in regard to seed production and supply: Formal Seed System, Cash Crop Seed System, Informal Seed System, Community-based Seed System and Individual Private Seed Producers and Seed Sellers.