Support for the Informal Seed Sector in Development Cooperation - Conceptual Issues -

This paper aims to identify the conceptual and strategic background for support to the informal seed sector within the framework of sustainable seed supply systems and development co-operation. It concentrates on the informal seed sector and its complementarity and interface with the formal sector, since this important area has been neglected in the past. The paper states the importance of local seed security for food production and sustainable agricultural development in general. It underlines the vital contribution of the informal seed sector to ensuring food security for the rural population. This includes small-scale farm households, tenants, local traders, and especially the women among them. Additionally, the paper shows that support for the informal seed sector contributes to in situ management of agrobiodiversity, and thereby to the implementation of Agenda 21 of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and of the Convention on Bio-Diversity (CBD).