Produ��o de sementes de culturas alimentares na regi�o da SADC

Criado para tratar os temas que limitam o acesso de fazendeiros em pequena escala, na �frica sub-Saara, para que possuam recursos para obterem colheitas de sementes de qualidade, das quais eles dependem para a obten��o dos alimentos e � o seu pr�prio meio de vida. Esta cole��o de artigos descreve os princ�pios bem sucedidos para as experi�ncias em comunidades que possuem produ��es de sementes. Entre outras coisas, os textos analisar�o o sistema de produ��o normal de sementes e seus modelos, propor�o caminhos para criar esquemas bem sucedidos para as comunidades que produzam sementes, descrever�o as pr�ticas pr�prias da produ��o de sementes para cereais seletos, plantas vegetativamente propagadas e outras colheitas, e esquematizar�o as pr�ticas b�sicas de neg�cios para os produtores de sementes.Produ��o de sementes, prote��o dos alimentos, qualidade, propaga��o de plantas, colheitas, modelos, fazendeiros, alian�as, pequenas fazendas, administra��o de neg�cios, �frica do Sul, Crop Production/Industries, F03,

Climate change and food security in the developing world: potential of maize and wheat research to expand options for adaptation and mitigation

Maize and wheat are two of the most important food crops worldwide. Together with rice, they provide 30% of the food calories to 4.5 billion people in almost 100 developing countries. Predictions suggest that climate change will reduce maize production globally by 3 to 10% by 2050 and wheat production in developing countries by 29 to 34%. This will coincide with a substantial increase in demand for maize and wheat due to rising populations. Maize and wheat research has a crucial role to play in enhancing adaptation to and mitigation of climate change while also enhancing food security. Crop varieties with increased tolerance to heat and drought stress and resistance to pests and diseases are critical for managing current climatic variability and for adaptation to progressive climate change. Furthermore, sustainable agronomic and resource management practices, such as conservation agriculture and improved nitrogen management can contribute to climate change mitigation. There is also a need for better policies and investments in infrastructure to facilitate technology adoption and adaptation. These include investments in irrigation, roads, storage facilities and improved access to markets. There is also a need for policy innovations for stabilizing prices, diversifying incomes, increasing farmer access to improved seeds and finance, and providing safety nets to enhance farmers' livelihood security. This review paper details the potential impacts of climate change on food security, and the key role of improved technologies and policy and institutional innovations for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The focus is on maize and wheat in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Food security system-level outcome: Progress, achievements, results

Presented by Marianne Banziger (CIMMYT) at the CGIAR Knowledge Day, Nairobi, 5 November 201

Successful Community-Based Seed Production Strategies

Designed to address the issues that limit the access of small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to quality, affordable seed of the crops on which they depend for food security and livelihoods, this collection of articles describes successful principles for and experiences in community-based seed production. Among other things, the manuscripts analyze current seed production systems and models; propose ways to design successful community-based seed production schemes; describe proper seed production practices for selected cereals, vegetatively propagated plants, and other crops; and outline basic business practices for seed producers.Seed production, Food security, Quality, Plant propagation, Crops, Models, Farmers, Partnerships, Small farms, Business management, Africa, Crop Production/Industries, F03, E10,

An analysis of the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in Eastern and Southern Africa

The publication describes outcomes of a study conducted in 2007/08 to analyze the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. The objectives of the study were to provide a better understanding of the factors limiting the production and deployment of improved maize seed in Africa, and to contribute to increasing the efficiency of variety release, seed production and seed dissemination for new drought tolerant maize varieties. The study identified a number of institutional bottlenecks affecting the maize seed value chain, in particular in the area of policy, credit availability, seed production, germplasm and marketing. To address these bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of seed production and deployment to African farmers, the authors recommended a coordinated effort from policy makers, private and public organizations and farmers. The study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G. Buffett Foundatio

An analysis of the challenges of the maize seed industry in eastern and southern Africa

The liberalization and restructuring of the seed sector in eastern and southern Africa (ESA) during the past two decades have witnessed a proliferation of private seed companies in the maize seed industry (Hassan et al., 2001; Lemonius, 2005). Although the total number of registered maize seed companies increased from 8 and 11, respectively, in 1997 to 40 each, the quantities of seed marketed barely doubled, increasing from 23,000 and 27,000 tons to 53,000 and 51,000 tons, respectively; an indication that the reforms are insufficient in ensuring efficient functioning of the sector in the two regions. A study involving 117 seed providers, representing 92 percent of all registered maize seed companies in ESA in 2007 identified bottlenecks that have differential impacts on the establishment and operation of a seed company, seed production and processing, seed marketing and demand, and seed policy in the two regions. To promote growth and development of the maize seed industry, it is imperative for a coordinated intervention effort by both public and private sector players to address the various bottlenecks. The collection, processing, dissemination and management of information on varietal release and adaptation remain vital in ensuring success of the coordinated effort

An analysis of the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in Eastern and Southern Africa

The publication describes outcomes of a study conducted in 2007/08 to analyze the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. The objectives of the study were to provide a better understanding of the factors limiting the production and deployment of improved maize seed in Africa, and to contribute to increasing the efficiency of variety release, seed production and seed dissemination for new drought tolerant maize varieties. The study identified a number of institutional bottlenecks affecting the maize seed value chain, in particular in the area of policy, credit availability, seed production, germplasm and marketing. To address these bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of seed production and deployment to African farmers, the authors recommended a coordinated effort from policy makers, private and public organizations and farmers. The study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G. Buffett FoundationSeed production, Seed industry, Commodity markets, Marketing, Maize, Zea mays, Agricultural products, Yields, Crop yield, Crop Production/Industries, E10, E16, E21, E70, F03,