Seed systems in Kenya and their relationship to on-farm conservation of food crops

Seed is among the most important production resources that greatly influence productivity. The challenge in Kenya is to put in place seed production and delivery systems that encourage wider use of quality seed throughout the marketing chain. The objective of this review is to understand the relationship between seed systems in Kenya and on-farm conservation of food crops. The findings show that while a formal seed system exists in Kenya, majority of farmers rely on an informal seed system for planting most agricultural commodities, and often continue to recycle seed, resulting in persistent low yields. Major crops as well as commercial crops are dominated by the formal seed system, whereas orphaned crops as well as poor farmers have no place in the formal system.