Legume seed production for sustainable seed supply and crop productivity: case of groundnut in Tanzania and Uganda

Akpo, E and Muricho, G and Lukurugu, G A and Opie, H and Ojiewo, C O and Varshney, R K (2020) Legume seed production for sustainable seed supply and crop productivity: case of groundnut in Tanzania and Uganda. Journal of Crop Improvement (TSI). pp. 1-22. ISSN 1542-7528

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Abstract

Improvingagriculturalproductivityandproductionisaprerequisite to sustain rural livelihoods in developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa SSA).Thisrequiresincreaseduseofqualityseedofimproved and well-adapted crop varieties. Legumes are particularly critical in ensuring food and nutritional securities of the majority of farming households. However, their productivity has been constrained because of limited availability of quality seed, jeopardizing henceforth food security and rural livelihoods. The lack of interest in productionoflegumeseedsbypotentialseedproducers,especially the private sector, is attributable to limited information on the cost and profitability of producing these seeds. Using primary data collectedfromTanzaniaandUganda,weanalyzedthecoststructureof improved groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed production to assess viability. We adopted cost-benefit analysis framework to evaluate different seed production models. Results showed that groundnutseedpricevariedbetween1and2US$kg−1 forcertified andqualitydeclaredseedandbetween2and3.5US$kg−1 forearly generationseed.Overall,upto50%increaseintotalseedproduction costsresultedinreduceddropinthegrossmarginearned.However, when production costs increased by 75–100%, the gross margin droppedbyabout18%and50%inTanzaniaandinUganda,respectively. These findings indicated that groundnut seed could be providedtofarmersinremotecommunitiesatanaffordablepricewhile still keeping seed producers profitably in business. Availing these seeds to smallholder producers is a major step in achieving food securityandnutritionalhealthindevelopingcountries inSSA.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa Research Program : Genetic Gains
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Eastern Africa, Improved legume varieties, Productivity of smallholder farming, Seed business viability, Seed price, Seed production model
Subjects:	Others > Tanzania Mandate crops > Groundnut Others > Food and Nutrition Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics Others > Food Security Others > Legume Crops Others > Seed Systems
Depositing User:	Mr Arun S
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2020 04:58
Last Modified:	31 Mar 2020 04:58
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11424
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2020.1740368
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	This work was supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Acknowledgement:	The authors express their gratitude to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for facilitating resources needed for this research through the Tropical Legumes III Project. We are grateful to the seed producers and other respondents who cooperated and helped to make this work to completion. Finally, we thank anonymous reviewers for their valuable inputs that enhanced the quality of this manuscript.
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