Developing the smallholder seed market in Uganda: The Harvest Farm Seed Company experience

 J.A.. Okot

Seeds are the single essential input of all plant-based agricultural systems, since they determine the upper limit on yield potential and therefore the productivity of other inputs. In addition, high quality seed of improved varieties frequently makes a substantial contribution to agricultural productivity and sustainability since seed is frequently the only input that small holder farmers can afford. Developing a sustainable seed supply system that provides access to improved quality seed to all farmer categories remains a major challenge for the Ugandan seed industry.  The 3 million smallholder farmers constitute ¾ of the total, contributing to most of Uganda’s agricultural output. This underscores the importance of access to high quality seed by small holder farmers if Uganda is to achieve its plan to eradicate poverty through modernizing agricultural production. Moreover, Ugandan farmers have demonstrated that they are prepared to adopt new agricultural technologies, provided it is economically viable and risk-acceptable.   The question arises as to which entries make up the seed supply chain in Uganda and who is there in the supply chain to disseminate seed to the smallholder farmer category?  Both the public and private seed sectors have an important role to play in developing the small holder seed market in Uganda. The two sectors should complement each other in developing an efficient seed supply chain, allowing farmers access to high quality and adapted seed and thus contribute to sustainable agriculture. However, to achieve sustainable development from agriculture, the entire seed chain, from research, seed generation, and seed dissemination must be linked with market demand for the farm output. Uganda remains a promising production centre strategically located in the heart of East and Central Africa.