Understanding seed systems and strengthening seed security

This paper provides background information on seed systems and seed relief interventions for
participants at the Workshop on Effective and Sustainable Seed Relief Activities, Rome, 26–28 May 2003. In this paper we review the rationale for and goals of seed aid (section II) and provide an overview of seed systems, with particular attention to the “local” or “informal” seed system
that provides most farmers with seeds most of the time (section III). In section
IV, the parameters of seed security are discussed, including the distinctions
between availability, access, and utilization (or quality) attributes. Acute and chronic emergency situations are also described. In section V, lessons learned from experience
in the field, particularly in Africa, are summarized and discussed, and in
section VI, current response options are described and compared, focusing in particular on
direct seed distribution and seed fairs and vouchers. Finally, some
major challenges for moving ahead are considered in section VII.