CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals
Abstract
Community-based seed producers are a relatively under-researched and under-documented
category of seed producers, but have the potential to cater to the diverse seed needs and interests
of smallholder farmers. This working paper presents a number of such community-seed producers,
with a focus on community seed banks. The case studies from India, Nepal, Uganda and Zimbabwe
point to the viability of community seed banks as seed producers and distributors, but becoming
successful is not easy and depends on several factors, including initial technical guidance and
support, sufficient time, adherence to a seed value chain perspective and the development of a
sound business plan from the very start