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In defense of farmer saved seeds

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  • Richard S. Gray

    (U of S - University of Saskatchewan [Saskatoon, Canada])

Abstract

In many countries, farmer saved seed (FSS) competes directly with a highly regulated commercial seed industry that sells certified seed. Opponents to the use FSS argue that it reduces the royalty income for plant breeders and is inferior in quality, which reduces farm profitability. We argue that because farmers have knowledge about field history and the quality of saved seed, they can make profit enhancing decisions to use, or not to use, FSS. We also show that payment of royalties is a matter of intellectual property rights and not directly a function of the use of FSS. Notably, Australia actively promotes the use of FSS for wheat and has some of the highest levels of rates of royalty revenue collection in the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard S. Gray, 2021. "In defense of farmer saved seeds," Post-Print hal-03893995, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03893995
    DOI: 10.1007/s41130-021-00162-y
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-03893995
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hurley, Terrance M. & Pardey, Philip G. & Rao, Xudong, 2013. "Returns to Food and Agricultural R&D Investments Worldwide, 1958-2011," Briefs 159649, University of Minnesota, International Science and Technology Practice and Policy.
    2. Baudry Marc & Hervouet Adrien, 2016. "Innovation in the Seed Market: The Role of IPRs and Commercialization Rules," Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, De Gruyter, vol. 14(1), pages 51-68, May.
    3. Alston, Julian M. & Venner, Raymond J., 2002. "The effects of the US Plant Variety Protection Act on wheat genetic improvement," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 527-542, May.
    4. Stefan Ambec & Corinne Langinier & Stéphane Lemarié, 2008. "Incentives to Reduce Crop Trait Durability," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(2), pages 379-391.
    5. Richard S. Gray & Ross Stephen Kingwell & Viktoriya Galushko & Katarzyna Bolek, 2017. "Intellectual Property Rights and Canadian Wheat Breeding for the 21st Century," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 65(4), pages 667-691, December.
    6. Commission, Productivity, 2011. "Rural Research and Development Corporations," Inquiry Reports, Productivity Commission, Government of Australia, number 52.
    7. Marc Baudry & Adrien Hervouet, 2016. "Innovation in the Seed Market: The Role of IPRs and Commercialization Rules," Post-Print hal-01386009, HAL.
    8. Ambec, Stefan & Langinier, Corinne & Lemarie, Stephane, 2008. "AJAE Appendix: Incentives to Reduce Crop Trait Durability," American Journal of Agricultural Economics APPENDICES, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(2), pages 1-11.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fredrick Bagamba & Proscovia R. Ntakyo & Geoffrey Otim & David J. Spielman & Bjorn Van Campenhout, 2023. "Policy and performance in Uganda's seed sector: Opportunities and challenges," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(3), May.
    2. Adrien Hervouet & Stéphane Lemarié, 2023. "The Economics of Royalty Rates in Plant Breeding," Working Papers 2023-03, Grenoble Applied Economics Laboratory (GAEL).

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    Keywords

    Farmer saved seed; Profitability; Revenue;
    All these keywords.

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