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Policy and regulation in seed sector development for vegetatively propagated crops: Insights from Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Spielman, David J.
  • Gatto, Marcel
  • Wossen, Tesfamicheal
  • McEwan, Margaret
  • Abdoulaye, Tahirou
  • Maredia, Mywish K.
  • Hareau, Guy

Abstract

In many low- and middle-income countries, smallholder farmers cultivating vegetatively propagated crops (VPCs) have limited access to quality planting material. This constraint can limit both the yield and returns to VPC cultivation. Yet policy and regulations designed to strengthen access to quality VPC planting materials and scale innovative programs that deliver these materials have been relatively unsuccessful to date. Part of the problem lies the unique biological and economic characteristics of vegetative propagation and its distinctness from cereal crops that dominate narratives on seed sector reforms and the resulting policy and regulatory regimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Spielman, David J. & Gatto, Marcel & Wossen, Tesfamicheal & McEwan, Margaret & Abdoulaye, Tahirou & Maredia, Mywish K. & Hareau, Guy, 2025. "Policy and regulation in seed sector development for vegetatively propagated crops: Insights from Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:229:y:2025:i:c:s0308521x25001817
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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