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This research aimed to assess the production performance of faba beans, quantify the yield gap, and measure the adoption levels of improved varieties to map the actors and identify the major constraints of the faba bean seed value chain. The paper was based on primary data collected from a random sample of 168 farmers. The adoption rate of improved faba bean seed at the household level in the study area was 23%. It was low, primarily due to a lack of access to improved seeds (59.5%) and a lack of knowledge about the availability of improved varieties (23%). Improved seed users had a 13% higher average yield than non-users and received an 11% premium market price for better seed quality, uniform appearance, and larger beans. Furthermore, the econometric analysis revealed that family size and extension contact significantly influence farmers' use of improved seed. Adoption was positively and significantly associated with extension contact at the p <.001 level and inversely correlated with family size (p <.05), thereby indicating that larger families were less likely to adopt. Farmers' saved seed was their most important source of planting material. The formal seed industry only supplies about 2.2% of the total faba bean seed. Hence, farmer-to-farmer seed exchange, own-saved seed, community-based seed production, scaling activities, seed producer and marketing cooperatives, and farmer-to-farmer seed exchange were the main sources of faba bean seed. The main limitations to faba bean production were disease, limited availability of improved seeds, frost, and damage caused by pests. The study recommends promoting improved varieties, improving access to extension services, strengthening and improving the informal seed system, and linking and integrating all the actors in the chain. The institutional linkage and intensive communication among all the stakeholders are also important for technology scaling up and farmers' easy access to improved seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This research aimed to assess the production performance of faba beans, quantify the yield gap, and measure the adoption levels of improved varieties to map the actors and identify the major constraints of the faba bean seed value chain. The paper was based on primary data collected from a random sample of 168 farmers. The adoption rate of improved faba bean seed at the household level in the study area was 23%. It was low, primarily due to a lack of access to improved seeds (59.5%) and a lack of knowledge about the availability of improved varieties (23%). Improved seed users had a 13% higher average yield than non-users and received an 11% premium market price for better seed quality, uniform appearance, and larger beans. Furthermore, the econometric analysis revealed that family size and extension contact significantly influence farmers' use of improved seed. Adoption was positively and significantly associated with extension contact at the p

Although teff (Eragrostis tef) is a very important staple food crop in Ethiopia, its production is constrained by low productivity due to poor access and adoption rate of improved seed by farmers. The government of Ethiopia envisions realizing an efficient teff value chain that enables a sustainable increase of smallholder teff productivity. As a result, the government is supporting seed producer cooperatives (SPCs) to supply improved teff seeds to farmers. The aim of this study is to compare teff productivity at household level among members and nonmembers of SPCs. To this end, a cross‐sectional survey design with multi‐stage sampling method was used to select 386 sample households (193 SPC members and 193 nonmembers). As membership in a cooperative is voluntary, farmers may self‐select into a given SPC according to their own motivation and interest. In a bid to address the potential issue of selection bias from both observed and unobserved heterogeneities, we employ the treatment effects model (TEM), which allows for a specific correlation structure between the unobservables that affect the treatment and the unobservables that affect the potential outcomes. Results show that, on average, SPC members produce 1.406 more quintals per hectare compared with their nonmember counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low agricultural commercialisation due to low productivity and a lack of access to and use of improved seeds are common features of smallholders in the Ethiopian highlands. Seed-producer cooperatives (SPCs) were established and strengthened in these highlands to facilitate smallholders' access to improved seed. Using survey data collected from 425 randomly selected smallholders, a full-information maximum likelihood endogenous switching regression (ESR) model and a propensity score-matching (PSM) technique were employed to estimate the impact of membership of seed-producer cooperatives on the output and input commercialisation of members and non-members. The results show that farm size, availability of extension services, household size, farm income, participation in other farmers' organisations, access to training, and education of the household head are key factors associated with cooperative membership. The results from the ESR and PSM models are consistent and show that being a member had a positive and statistically significant impact on tef and wheat farmers' output and input commercialisation. Non-members' status in output and input commercialisation would have been improved if they had been members of seed-producer cooperatives. The results indicate that joining seed-producer cooperatives has proven to be a beneficial approach for farmers, as it minimises transaction costs and facilitates farmers' access to input and output markets for tef and wheat crops. The results show that, if farmers were not part of SPCs, the commercialisation of their tef and wheat output would have decreased by 43 and 31 percentage points, respectively. Furthermore, if non-members had joined the seed cooperatives, their tef and wheat output commercialisation levels would have increased by 19.5 and 13.3 percentage points, respectively. The findings imply that governments and development partners should deliver training for SPC members on quality seed production and management in their farm operations and assist SPCs in setting up seed storage facilities and acquiring winnowing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA long-term breeding program of cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cajuputi) in Indonesia has aimed to increase oil productivity and quality through imposing selection for oil yield and 1,8-cineole content. This study examined the realized genetic gain for the two key variables of oil yield, oil concentration and leaf biomass. Data were collected from a trial based on seeds collected from two unimproved, and two improved sources with selection intensities (IS) of 1.1 (10% of trees selected) and > 2.5 (2.5 seed source was significantly higher than for the other sources; a realized genetic gain ranging from 14% to 31%. However, although not significant, this seed source had the lowest leaf biomass. The correlation between gains in oil concentration and leaf biomass was weak and not significant (r = 0.15); while the correlation between oil yield and leaf biomass was very strong and highly significant (r = 0.96). These results highlight the importance of carefully incorporating leaf biomass as a selection criterion in cajuput breeding programs aimed at increasing oil yield.

Low adoption of agricultural technology is among the main reasons for low farm productivity and high incidence of poverty and food insecurity in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to examine the factors affecting adoption of improved seed and soil conservation and to estimate the interdependency of improved seed and soil conservation technology in Bore district Southern, Ethiopia. The three stage sampling technique was employed to select 138 rural households for the interview. Bivariate probit model was employed to estimate the joint success and failures of the technologies. The biprobit model results showed that plot distance from home, soil fertility status, adoption of organic fertilizers and time change which is adjusting planting date were significantly influence the decision to adopt improved seed varieties whereas, amount of organic fertilizer used, distance of household from market and plot distance from home were the three important variables affecting soil conservation technology where plot distance and time change negatively affect improved seed and distance to market and plot distance from home negatively affected the soil conservation technology in the study area, respectively. The probability of adopting improved seed variety, probability of adopting only soil conservation, success probability of adopting both technologies and probability fail to adopt both of the technologies were 57.5%, 42.77%, 22.73% and 22.43%, respectively. Therefore, improve credit access, extension and infrastructures that promote improved seed and soil management technologies. Training to extension agents and farmers during farmer training and field days are valuable to supporting these important linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The willingness of farmers to pay for improved teff seed has positive effects on utilization of improved teff which increases agricultural production, productivity rural household income. However, the extent to which the willingness of teff producers to pay for improved teff seed was not studied in the study area. Hence, the primary goal of the study was to examine the willingness to pay for improved teff seed in Yilmana-Dinsa woreda, West Gojjam Zone. To collect quantitative and qualitative data, both primary and secondary sources were employed from 121 sampled respondents. The data were examined using expressive and inferential (t-test and chi-square test) statistics and econometric model (bivariate probit). The result showed that 79.3% of sampled farmers were willing to pay the seed and the value of mean willingness to pay from both double bounded dichotomous choice and open-ended questions was 26.89 and 32.67 birr per kilogram, respectively. The results of the bivariate probit model showed that sex, education level, extension contact, on-farm income, and credit have taken have a positive and significant effect, while off-farm income and initial starting bed have a negative and significant effect on the willingness of farmers to pay improved teff seed. Based on the findings government and other stakeholders need to focus on strengthening improved seed access through organized seed systems that comprehend all actors and promising cultivars through a well-established national extension and credit system to fill the current seed system gaps.

In Ethiopian, pulses are the second top most grain crops, of which chickpea takes the first place. However, chickpea production by smallholder farmers has been facing several constraints and this has not been adequately studied using the appropriate techniques. As a result, this study used Henry Garrett’s ranking technique to analyze and rank constraints in the production of chickpeas. . Using the multistage sampling technique, the data were gathered from 140 randomly chosen samples. The findings indicate the smallholder chickpea producers face input, marketing, economic, institutional, and environmental constraints. As to the Henry Garrett’s ranking, higher price of seed (65%), higher price of chemicals (64.3%), delays in supply of improved seed (64%), capital shortage (60.5%), shortage of improved seed (58%), and disease infestation (56.4%) are the major constraints noted in average values. It is noted that. The study concludes that ranking constraints using the Henry Garrett technique are better as compared to simple frequencies. Key prerequisites for a robust chickpea production include addressing of constraints relating to irregularity and shortage in the supply of improved chickpea seed varieties, higher cost of inputs, diseases and pests, and inability to access in-kind credit.

The willingness of farmers to pay for improved teff seed has positive effects on utilization of improved teff which increases agricultural production, productivity rural household income. However, the extent to which the willingness of teff producers to pay for improved teff seed was not studied in the study area. Hence, the primary goal of the study was to examine the willingness to pay for improved teff seed in Yilmana-Dinsa woreda, West Gojjam Zone. To collect quantitative and qualitative data, both primary and secondary sources were employed from 121 sampled respondents. The data were examined using expressive and inferential (t-test and chi-square test) statistics and econometric model (bivariate probit). The result showed that 79.3% of sampled farmers were willing to pay the seed and the value of mean willingness to pay from both double bounded dichotomous choice and open-ended questions was 26.89 and 32.67 birr per kilogram, respectively. The results of the bivariate probit model showed that sex, education level, extension contact, on-farm income, and credit have taken have a positive and significant effect, while off-farm income and initial starting bed have a negative and significant effect on the willingness of farmers to pay improved teff seed. Based on the findings government and other stakeholders need to focus on strengthening improved seed access through organized seed systems that comprehend all actors and promising cultivars through a well-established national extension and credit system to fill the current seed system gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved maize seeds are one of the main factors that can contribute to improving maize productivity. This paper was carried out with the aim of identifying the determinants of adoption and improved maize seeds' intensity use on households in all areas favourable to maize production in Benin using pooled data on 490 producers. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, frequency distribution, t and chi-square tests were used to summarize the characteristics of the sampled producers. Cragg's Double Hurdle model was also used to categorize producers who adopted or who did not adopt improved maize seed and those who intensified the use of improved maize seed. The results showed that literacy, easy access to improved seed, specific training received on the use of improved varieties and gender, affected the adoption of improved maize seed while easy access to improved seed, maize yield, relationship with extension services, total household size, age squared, number of experience years in maize production, and distance from the producer to where the seed was purchased had a significant influence on the decision to intensify the use of improved maize seed. The fact that the variable easy access to improved seeds affected not only the adoption of improved seeds but also the intensification of their use, confirmed that access to improved seeds was an indisputable success factor for the intensification of improved seed use. Giving producers the capacity to obtain improved maize seed that was financially and geographically improved was a very important aspect to be considered by policy makers in the definition of agricultural policies. Predisposing factors for access (perception of varieties, attitudes towards the choice of new varieties, knowledge and management of these varieties) and capacity factors for access (income, availability of seeds in the environment, and seed prices) must be considered. The establishment of a wide seed distribution network through government and non-governmental organizations or private actors could, therefore, be important to reduce transaction costs and improve access to improved maize seed, and then increase the rate of adoption and continued use of improved seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Despite its role, several improved crop seeds has been limitedly used by the majority of farmers in Southwestern Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to asses the status of improved crop seed utilization in the selected districts of southwestern Ethiopia. Data from120 sampled farmers were selected by multistage sampling producers and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Based on a field survey, the major crop seeds like wheat, maize, and common bean were utilized in the study area. With regards to land allocations, only 30% out of a land under major crops were allocated for improved seeds. The result also reveals that about 35% per hectare loss in productivity due to the utilization of local seed. Unaffordable prices of improved seed, limited financial capacity, lack of improved seed timely, and lack of credit seeds and fertilizer were the major constraints affecting utilizing improved seed in the study area. Therefore, the concerned bodies should focus on increasing the availability of improved seeds on time and affordable prices. Also adjusting credit facility and strengthen the overall seed system to meet the huge demand is suggested.

Studies of improved seed adoption in developing countries are almost always based on household surveys and are premised on the assumption that farmers can accurately self‐report their use of improved seed varieties. However, recent studies suggest that farmers' reports of seed varieties planted, or even whether the seed is local or improved, are sometimes inconsistent with the DNA fingerprinting results of those crops. We use household survey data from Tanzania to test the alignment between farmer‐reported and DNA‐identified maize seed types planted. In the sample, 70% of maize seed observations are correctly reported as local or improved, while 16% are type I errors (falsely reported as improved) and 14% are type II errors (falsely reported as local). Type I errors are more likely to have been sourced from other farmers, rather than formal channels. An analysis of input use, including seed, fertiliser, and labour allocations, reveals that farmers tend to treat improved maize differently, depending on whether they correctly perceive it as improved. This suggests that errors in farmers' seed type awareness may translate into suboptimal management practices. The average yield of seed that is correctly identified as improved is almost 700 kg per hectare greater than that of type I errors. This indicates that investments in farmers' access to information, seed labelling, and seed system oversight are needed to complement investments in seed variety development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Despite its role, several improved crop seeds has been limitedly used by the majority of farmers in Southwestern Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to asses the status of improved crop seed utilization in the selected districts of southwestern Ethiopia. Data from120 sampled farmers were selected by multistage sampling producers and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Based on a field survey, the major crop seeds like wheat, maize, and common bean were utilized in the study area. With regards to land allocations, only 30% out of a land under major crops were allocated for improved seeds. The result also reveals that about 35% per hectare loss in productivity due to the utilization of local seed. Unaffordable prices of improved seed, limited financial capacity, lack of improved seed timely, and lack of credit seeds and fertilizer were the major constraints affecting utilizing improved seed in the study area. Therefore, the concerned bodies should focus on increasing the availability of improved seeds on time and affordable prices. Also adjusting credit facility and strengthen the overall seed system to meet the huge demand is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the top agricultural commodities that has great share in the Agricultural Government Development Plan of Nepal. Despite being a major crop, productivity of maize is quite lower than global average. In this context, a study was undertaken to determine the extent of technology adoption between improved and local seed users of Arghakhanchi district of Nepal. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered among 120 randomly selected farmers during the month of January 2018. The extent of technology adoption was measured on sowing time, seed replacement, variety change, seed rate, application of fertilizer, weeding and plant protection. The empirical evidence suggested that, extent of technology adoption and benefit cost ratio were magnificently higher for improved seed users than local seed users. So, there is still a gigantic scope to improve maize productivity in the area by adoption of recommended technology of maize farming. The probability of adoption of recommended technology (improved seed) for maize farming was found to be higher for those with access to extensive service. Overall, our study pointed out that extension facility is a key strategy to make famers aware of the new technologies and a crucial factor to increase the chance of adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is widely used for food, animal feed, and industrial raw material in Nigeria. This paper documents the important changes that characterize Nigeria's maize production and area expansion along with contributing factors that have transformed maize from a backyard food crop to a dominant food security and commercial crop. Using both secondary and primary data on maize production and varietal adoption over the last six decades, we found that Nigeria now produces ten times more maize than it did in 1960 and four times more maize than it did in 2005. Our findings further suggested that government policies and institutional arrangements that promoted access to and use of modern inputs and increased demand of maize grain for food, feed, and other industrial uses have played major roles in transforming maize from a backyard crop to a dominant staple and commercial crop in Nigeria. Considering the impeding climate change threats to food security in Nigeria, policy interventions should be tailored towards further scaling-up of stress resilient and climate-smart maize varieties to improve the productivity, income, and resilience of smallholder farmers. This requires strong support not only to get recently released superior improved varieties into the hands of smallholder farmers but also to accelerate varietal turnover. • Maize is widely used for food, animal feed, and industrial raw material in Nigeria. • Nigeria's maize production growth is driven by both area expansion and adoption of yield enhancing modern inputs. • Rapid growth in maize grain demand for processed food, feed, and other industrial uses is an important driver of maize production growth in Nigeria. • Scaling stress resilient improved maize varieties is key to improve smallholders' food security and climate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Demonstration plots are widely used in the seed industry to create awareness and promote improved seed among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the magnitude of effects on farmers’ adoption behaviour is less known. Objectives: This study assessed the impact of demonstration plots and field days on farmers’ awareness, knowledge and use of the improved maize variety that was being promoted. The study also assessed the impact on maize yields and production. Method: A promotion campaign was mounted by a local seed company in eastern and western Uganda, where demonstration plots were established and field days were held for two seasons. These were aimed at augmenting effects of radio messages that were aired over the same period. We used quasi-experimental approaches to determine changes in farmers’ adoption behaviour towards a new maize variety, and the subsequent effects on productivity. Farm household data were collected at the baseline and midline from a sample of 2050 households. Results: The findings showed no effect on the proportion of farmers planting the promoted variety, the acreage or proportion of land planted with the promoted variety. This was not surprising as farmers’ awareness and knowledge about the variety remained very low. Conclusion: The early result shows that demonstration plots were not effective, suggesting that more effective approaches should be explored. It may also be the case that the assessment was too early in the adoption cycle, in which case results after two more seasons of promotion will provide a better estimate of the effect.

The purpose of this research was to explore how weather risk affects the value of nitrogen fertilizer use and improved seed variety adoption to sub‐Saharan African (SSA) maize farmers. It contributes to the literature by providing additional broad support for the hypothesis that low rates of fertilizer use and improved seed variety adoption can be attributed to the fact that the SSA landscape is heterogeneous, so fertilizer and improved seed are not always advantageous, especially when considering the potentially high cost to farmers of obtaining fertilizer and improved seed. The analysis finds a synergy between nitrogen fertilizer and improved seed varieties. While the benefits of nitrogen tend to increase overtime without improved seed varieties and the benefits of improved seed varieties tend to decrease overtime without nitrogen, combining the two provides more sustained productivity benefits. Therefore, securing both nitrogen use and improved seed variety adoption is important for promoting sustained maize productivity increases across much of SSA. The research also contributes to the literature by using a methodology for calculating willingness to pay bounds that assess the importance of farmers' risk tolerances as a barrier to fertilizer use or improved seed variety adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: The huge gap between actual and achievable yields in Ghana's maize production threatens Ghana's household food security. Poor adoption of improved maize production technologies is often cited as the major cause of the low yields. This study examined the factors influencing adoption of improved production technologies by maize farmers in order to highlight the constraints and opportunities for improving adoption. Research Method: The data used were obtained through a cross-sectional survey of 576 maize farmers in Ghana using the structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the multinomial logit model were the methods of analysis employed. Findings: The results showed that adoption of production technologies is influenced by age, educational level, initial capital outlay, agricultural extension contact, group membership, availability of ready maize market, access to credit, experience in maize farming, land fragmentation and previous year's price of maize. For adoption of maize production technologies to be improved, technology dissemination programmes should target to literate farmers and farmers should be encouraged to join farmer groups, stakeholders should support maize farmers with credit, maize farmers should be provided with ready market and younger farmers should be encouraged to consider maize production as a business. Research Limitations: The study focused on whether or not in general, maize farmers used production technologies. It presents limited information on specific technologies in different agro-ecological zones. Originality/Value: This study provides insights into why especially some Ghanaian maize farmers adopt or do not adopt certain technological packages promoted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) of Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Development Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Conventional wisdom holds that Sub-Saharan African farmers use few modern inputs despite the fact that most poverty-reducing agricultural growth in the region is expected to come largely from expanded use of inputs that embody improved technologies, particularly improved seed, fertilizers and other agro-chemicals, machinery, and irrigation. Yet following several years of high food prices, concerted policy efforts to intensify fertilizer and hybrid seed use, and increased public and private investment in agriculture, how low is modern input use in Africa really? This article revisits Africa’s agricultural input landscape, exploiting the unique, recently collected, nationally representative, agriculturally intensive, and cross-country comparable Living Standard Measurement Study-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) covering six countries in the region (Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda). Using data from over 22,000 households and 62,000 agricultural plots, we offer ten potentially surprising facts about modern input use in Africa today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Corn is a staple cereal in Mexican food and the most cultivated by farmers. However, demand of corn for consumption and improved seed (IS), has led to strong imports, as in 2012, when 9'515,000 t were imported. A great deal of demand for IS is covered by transnational corporations, and to a lesser extent by small private companies and government agencies such as the National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP). The objective of the study was to characterize the regional market of IS in the state of Veracruz, the trading position of INIFAP and the relevant variables that motivate the purchase decision. Method. In 2015 a questionnaire to 100 producers of corn for grain was applied in eight municipalities in the state of Veracruz, by respondent-driven sampling. The questionnaire considered open and closed multiple choice questions to obtain information on socioeconomic and perceptual knowledge on use of INIFAP improved seeds or those farmers usually utilize. Results and discussion. INIFAP holds 75% of the IS regional market. This market is composed by small-scale producers (3.4 ha on average). The motivation for planting depends on the recommendation of friends or relatives (p <0.0001). Use of INIFAP IS is associated with socioeconomic variables such as nearness of the place of purchase (0.9451 **) and being aware of INIFAP seeds (0.9199 **), as well as the fact that farmers sow IS (0.4320 **) and prefer planting IS SM (0.3844 **); even though correlation coefficients are associations are strengthened by the significance. Opinion variables that favor the use of IS had better traits than native seeds (0.6162 **) and good plant architecture (0.3938 **). Relevant perception traits associated for the farmer consuming grain were flavor, nixtamalization, aroma, color, consistency, toughness, cooking time and shelf life, noting significant difference (p <0.0001) manly in the first three. Of these, traits INIFAP's IS meet two expectations, good taste (0.2727 **) and Nixtamalization (0.2596 **), with weak r coefficients but statistically significant. Conclusion: Regional market INIFAP's IS is focused on small-scale producers, who have not a clear idea of the advantages of this seed, compared with those of private companies, and they only compare them against native seeds. INIFAP's IS only provide two of eight desired traits. Current diffusion mechanisms do not help to motivate customers or gain their loyalty. Recommendation of friends or family and nearness to the Experimental Station where seed is produced and sold have been the main drivers behind the use of such varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mexico 8.5 million ha of maize (Zea mays L.) are sown each year. Hybrid seed is used in about 25 % of this area, and in the rest, local varieties (50 % genuine maize landraces and 25 % locally adapted, improved varieties or advanced generations of hybrids). The hybrid seed use is concentrated in areas of high productive potential. Each year there is reluctance to acquire new seed due to its high cost. To verify the yield of F1 and F2 hybrids, an evaluation was made of varieties H-40, H-51 AE, H-57 AE and Puma 1167 in the spring -summer cycle of 2013 by the Cuautitlán Graduate Studies Department of UNAM. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with four replicates. The statistical analysis was carried out in a factorial design with the following factors: hybrids (4), population densities (2), generation F1 and F2 (2), as well as the hybrid interactions x F1F2, hybrids x PD, F1F2 x PD, hybrids x F1F2 x PD. The analysis of variance detected highly significant differences for yield among hybrids and generations F1 and F2, and significant differences among population densities; none of the interactions was significant. The CV was 12.0 % and the average value was 8422 kg ha-1. The F1 generation yielded an average of 9040 kg ha-1, and the F2, 7804 kg ha-1. The hybrids with the highest yields were Puma 1167 (9989 kg ha-1) and H-57 AE (8334 kg ha-1). Compared to a population density of 70 000 plants ha-1 (8765 kg ha-1), a higher yield was obtained than with 55 000 plants ha-1. The results confirm that the use of the F2 generation of seed is not desirable, due to the decrease in productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundnut being an important oilseed crop in the Pothwar region of Pakistan has the productivity level of 609 kg ha-1, much lower from the potential yield of 3000 kg ha-1. Present study was designed to explore factors affecting productivity of groundnut along with its profitability analysis. The sample farms were classified into small, medium and large farms. Farm-level crop data were gathered during two cropping seasons i.e., rabi 2008-09 and kharif 2009. One hundred and forty groundnut producers were selected for collecting data using the well-structured questionnaire from two important districts recognised for area and production of groundnut. Results showed that large farmers allocated significantly higher area (34%) to groundnut cultivation compared to other categories of farmers. The gross margins were also significantly higher at large farms. Ploughing frequency, seed rate and labor mandays have positive relationship with groundnut productivity. Therefore, the provision of improved groundnut production technologies package and improved seed to groundnut growers may enhance the productivity and area under this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopian, pulses are the second top most grain crops, of which chickpea takes the first place. However, chickpea production by smallholder farmers has been facing several constraints and this has not been adequately studied using the appropriate techniques. As a result, this study used Henry Garrett's ranking technique to analyze and rank constraints in the production of chickpeas. . Using the multistage sampling technique, the data were gathered from 140 randomly chosen samples. The findings indicate the smallholder chickpea producers face input, marketing, economic, institutional, and environmental constraints. As to the Henry Garrett's ranking, higher price of seed (65%), higher price of chemicals (64.3%), delays in supply of improved seed (64%), capital shortage (60.5%), shortage of improved seed (58%), and disease infestation (56.4%) are the major constraints noted in average values. It is noted that. The study concludes that ranking constraints using the Henry Garrett technique are better as compared to simple frequencies. Key prerequisites for a robust chickpea production include addressing of constraints relating to irregularity and shortage in the supply of improved chickpea seed varieties, higher cost of inputs, diseases and pests, and inability to access in-kind credit., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Seed certification enhances seed quality and has the potential to increase rice (Oryza sativa L) yield and improve farmers' income. There is a dearth of information on factors that determine farmers' access to certified, improved rice seed and affect farmers' income in Nigeria. Hence, this study was conducted to fill this gap. The data were collected using a multistage random sampling technique. Osun, Niger, and Kano states were selected to represent upland, lowland, and irrigated rice growing systems, respectively. Five major rice-producing local government areas (LGAs) were selected from each state, followed by the selection of three villages from each LGA. In all, 600 rice farmers were selected on the basis of probability proportionate to the population of rice farmers in the villages. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the logistic regression model, and ordinary least square (OLS) regression. Contact with extension agents, access to media, age of household head, and years of formal education significantly increased the probability of access to certified, improved rice seed. Furthermore, agricultural expenditure (P 0.05), access to seed (P 0.01), household size (P 0.01), years of formal education (P 0.05), and income from other crops (P 0.01) had a significant positive effect on income from rice production. Increased access to the certified, improved rice seed, particularly through the formal seed-supply system, should lead to a significant improvement in the farmers' income and ultimately reduce the prevailing poverty among the farming households in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Universidad & Ciencia is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Seed interventions are the major agricultural response during emergency and recovery phases of humanitarian relief. They are implemented by diverse agencies, and widely promoted: for instance the FAO alone managed 400 such projects between 2003 and 2005. However, seed aid suffers from a lack of critical attention, perpetuating widespread myths among practitioners, policymakers, and the larger humanitarian community. This paper challenges five predominant myths about seed aid: (1) seed aid is needed whenever food aid is; (2) seed aid can do no harm; (3) disasters wipe out seed systems; (4) effective implementation is a straightforward logistical exercise, and; (5) improved seed is the best form of aid. These myths are juxtaposed with recent empirical work across a range of countries, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa. The perpetuation of such myths highlights a serious absence of scrutiny of emergency seed aid, and helps explain why such aid is repeated year after year in many sites, with little apparent positive effect. The paper argues that the invisibility of seed aid is a major cause for the lack of oversight and concludes that donors and farmer beneficiaries must become centrally involved in seed aid governance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This field experiment tests whether concerns about fraud reduce WTP for hybrid maize seed in Kenya. • Farmers are willing to pay 15% more for hybrid seed purchased directly from the seed company. • Untrained farmers are less likely to infer anything about seed quality from packaging features. • Training on buying quality seed decreases farmers' WTP for damaged bags by 15%. • Concern about fraud increases premiums for seed purchased directly from the company. Concerns about poor seed quality and outright fraud in seed supply chains can reduce farmers' willingness to invest in hybrid seeds and in complementary inputs that increase crop yields and improve food security. In Kenya, seed companies have started marketing their seed using novel packaging features to signal product quality and authenticity. We use experimental auctions with smallholder farmers in Kenya's Nyanza Province to assess (1) farmer willingness to pay (WTP) for hybrid seed from different sources with different packaging features and (2) how WTP is affected by training on best practices for purchasing seed. We elicited demand for two popular types of hybrid maize seed and a familiar local (non-hybrid) seed. For each hybrid, we examined WTP for one bag purchased directly from the seed company and three bags purchased from local retailers, two of which had compromised packaging. Across both the control and training groups, participants were willing to pay a 15% premium, on average, for bags purchased directly from the seed company compared to mint condition bags purchased from local retailers. Without the training on purchasing seed, farmers did not discount compromised bags; however, farmers who received the training, were willing to pay 15% less for compromised bags. Education and outreach may be required for packaging innovations to increase investments in high-quality hybrid seed that can help enhance the productivity of smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]