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Seed certification and maize, rice, and cowpea productivity in Nigeria

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Title Seed certification and maize, rice, and cowpea productivity in Nigeria
 
Creator Takeshima, Hiroyuki
Abdoulaye, Tahirou
Andam, Kwaw S.
Edeh, Hyacinth
Fasoranti, Adetunji
Haile, Beliyou
Kumar, Lava
Nwagboso, Chibuzo
Ragasa, Catherine
Spielman, David J.
Wossen, Tesfamichael
 
Subject seed certification
maize
rice
cowpeas
agricultural production
supply
yields
farmers
 
Description Despite the potential importance of seed quality to agricultural productivity growth, many governments in sub-Saharan Africa lack the capacity to expand quality assurance systems even where there is expressed interest. This brief summarizes the key insights from a recent study in Nigeria. The evidence points toward the benefits of pursuing balanced, flexible seed quality assurance systems rather than focusing singularly on expanding rigorous seed certification systems, as the country has done until recently. These recommendations are based on findings from the 2010–2018 period in Nigeria: Increased supply of certified seeds of maize, rice, and cowpea had positive effects on farm-level use of certified seeds, yields, and output, but these effects diminished as certified seed supply continued to expand. Moreover, yield gains from certified seeds tend to vary considerably across locations. As certified seed becomes more available to farmers, its use spreads from higher-return farms to lower-return farms, diminishing overall productivity benefits. These results are consistent with the view that singularly expanding rigorous seed certification faces diminishing returns. More balanced, pluralistic systems that also allow for moderate quality assurance, such as quality declared seed (QDS), may be worth trying in Nigeria.
 
Date 2023-12-08
2023-12-12T16:43:58Z
2023-12-12T16:43:58Z
 
Type Brief
 
Identifier Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Abdoulaye, Tahirou; Andam, Kwaw S.; Edeh, Hyacinth; Fasoranti, Adetunji; Haile, Beliyou; et al. 2023. Seed certification and maize, rice, and cowpea productivity in Nigeria. Seed Equal Policy Brief December 2023. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.137014
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135279
https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.137014
 
Language en
 
Relation Discussion Paper https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.136474
Seed Equal Policy Brief
 
Rights CC-BY-4.0
Open Access
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher International Food Policy Research Institute