The article presents the commercial behaviour and its determinants of smallholder farmers in wheat seed use, and its implication for seed demand assessment, based on primary data from 524 wheat farmers in the major wheat growing areas covering 22 woredas in 11 zones in the Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. Although 69% of farmers use improved varieties, the overwhelming majority use seed from informal sources: own saved seed (52%) or purchased seed from local sources (32%). The article documents the distribution of wheat growers into different wheat seed market positions (autarkic, buying, or selling), and identifies the key determinants of these market behaviours. The results can serve as a guide in assessing the wheat seed demand from the formal sector at a national level. Cet article présente le comportement commercial des petits exploitants agricoles, et ses déterminants, dans l'utilisation des semences de blé, ainsi que ses implications pour l'évaluation de la demande de semences, sur la base de données primaires provenant de 524 cultivateurs de blé situés dans les principales zones de culture du blé, couvrant 22 woredas (districts) dans 11 zones des régions éthiopiennes suivantes : Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP et Tigray. Bien que 69% des agriculteurs utilisent des variétés améliorées, la très grande majorité utilise des semences provenant de sources informelles : leurs propres semences mises de côté (52%) ou semences achetées à des sources locales (32%). Cet article documente la distribution des cultivateurs du blé parmi différentes positions sur le marché des semences de blé (autarciques, acheteurs, vendeurs) et identifie les déterminants clés de ces comportements relatifs au marché. Les résultats peuvent servir de guide au moment d'évaluer la demande de semences de blé auprès du secteur formel au niveau national. El presente artículo examina el comportamiento comercial y los determinantes del uso de semilla de trigo entre los pequeños productores, así como sus consecuencias en términos de la valoración de la demanda de semilla. Partiendo de estos objetivos, este estudio se apoyó en datos primarios proporcionados por 524 productores de trigo, ubicados en las mayores áreas de producción del mismo, las cuales abarcan 22 woredas (distritos) en 11 zonas de las regiones de Amhara, Oromiya, snnp y Tigray en Etiopía. Si bien el 69% de los productores utiliza variedades mejoradas, la abrumadora mayoría emplea semillas procedentes de fuentes informales, a saber: sus propias semillas guardadas (52%), o semillas compradas a fuentes locales (32%). El artículo documenta la distribución de dichos productores según su relación con el mercado de semillas de trigo (autárquico, comprador, vendedor), identificando los principales determinantes de tales comportamientos comerciales. Los resultados podrán utilizarse como guía para evaluar la demanda de semilla de trigo en el sector formal a nivel nacional.

The article presents the commercial behaviour and its determinants of smallholder farmers in wheat seed use, and its implication for seed demand assessment, based on primary data from 524 wheat farmers in the major wheat growing areas covering 22 woredas in 11 zones in the Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. Although 69% of farmers use improved varieties, the overwhelming majority use seed from informal sources: own saved seed (52%) or purchased seed from local sources (32%). The article documents the distribution of wheat growers into different wheat seed market positions (autarkic, buying, or selling), and identifies the key determinants of these market behaviours. The results can serve as a guide in assessing the wheat seed demand from the formal sector at a national level.

Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution.

Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution.

PR | IFPRI3; ISI; GRP42 | EPTD; PHND

This article argues that it is imperative to take gender into consideration when evaluating the impact of the global food-price crisis and developing crisis-related policies. Consideration of gender is important, given the key role that women play in agriculture, the disproportionate impact that the crisis has on women, and the potential role that women can play in resolving the crisis. Recent research on differential impacts of the crisis is discussed, as are gender dimensions – or lack thereof – in policy responses.