Opportunities and Constraints of Community Based Seed Production in Northern Ethiopia: The Case of Seed Producing Cooperatives in South Tigray

Community-based seed production has a potential for improving farmers' access to quality seed of locally adapted and preferred varieties. Besides, Seed Producing Cooperatives (SPCs) are fully engaged in formal seed production as contract out-growers to public enterprises that benefit members economically. Hence, the research contributed to show the importance of community-based improved seeds production in the form of seed-producing cooperatives formed by smallholder farmers. It showed the main problems and opportunities for the production of seeds conducted in three districts of Southern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.Three stage sampling technique was employed in this study. First, purposive sampling was employed to select the three districts. Secondly, simple random sampling was employed to select the seven from fourteen seed producing cooperatives in the zone. Finally, focused group discussion at each kebelles which consists 7-10 group members (district seed multiplication experts, development agents and SPCs committee members were included) to gather data. The collected data was analyzed using ranking index. The result of the study shows that availability of suitable agro ecology, timely availability of technology, suitable and fertile land for seed production for the candidate crops respectively, were the main opportunities whereas lack of working capital, violating the bylaw of the cooperatives by members and diversified interest of farmers within a cluster respectively, were the main constraints of SPCs to respond the local demand for quality seed and seed security in the area. Therefore, improving the facilities of SPCs, creating common awareness of members on their guiding stated bylaws and creating common interest among members is very important for future development of community based seed production in the form of SPCs in the study area and beyond.