When I attended the "International Training Seminar on Sustainable Agriculture in an Environmental Perspective" in Sweden in 2003 (7 weeks, sponsored by SIDA), we have several reading materials. Among them was "Seeds for Mankind", published by the International Seed Federation (ISF), May 2002. I cannot find its online copy.
(This photo from berea.edu)
The monograph is reader-friendly even for non-scientists. Good economic sense. For instance, its conclusion suggested that the public sector should refrain from being active in the competitive area… Governments should focus on their roles as regulators and developers of infrastructures..
Below was my summary of that good paper.
The monograph is reader-friendly even for non-scientists. Good economic sense. For instance, its conclusion suggested that the public sector should refrain from being active in the competitive area… Governments should focus on their roles as regulators and developers of infrastructures..
Below was my summary of that good paper.
Seeds for mankind
Modern Plant Breeding
It is a two-step process: (a) creation of genetic variability, (b) selection of cultivars for specific purposes. It use the laws of heredity (discovered by Mendel, 1856) and statistics (developed by Fisher and Pearson, around 1860)
Objectives of Plant Breeding:
1. Productivity: about 30-60% of yield increases is due to genetic improvement Hardiness/Yield
2. Stability: show more adaptability than low-yielding older varieties
3. Diseases and Pest Resistance: by using existing resistance in species, and by genetic engineering
4. Biodiversity, in particular:
(a) Crop genetic diversity – bet. 6,000 to 7,000 new varieties are protected annually in the UPOV member states,
(b) Bio tape protection – preservation of places where species live
5. Product Quality, in particular:
(a) Technical quality processibility of the raw material,
(b) Food quality – ability of food to keep sensory characteristics and physical qualities under given conditions
6. Crop Management: for crop protection and minimizing soil tillage
Regional Adaptation: facilitate the introduction of new promising crops to other regions of the world.
Production and Marketing of High Quality Seed
Too often, new and better varieties released by plant breeders are not produced and commercialized to farmers.
Seed Production: maintain genetic quality, maintain seed viability and health.
Seed Marketing: market research à seed promotion à seed pricing à seed distribution.
Seed Production: maintain genetic quality, maintain seed viability and health.
Seed Marketing: market research à seed promotion à seed pricing à seed distribution.
Main Actors of the Seed Chain
Basic research: both the public and private sectors
Varietal development: over the long-term, private sector should do this.
Seed production, processing and marketing: private sector; govt. to improve infra, tax incentives, credit
Quality control: private seed companies with govt. supervision
Varietal development: over the long-term, private sector should do this.
Seed production, processing and marketing: private sector; govt. to improve infra, tax incentives, credit
Quality control: private seed companies with govt. supervision
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See also:
Agri Econ 12: Presentation at WASWAC-BSWM Seminar, May 13, 2014Agri Econ 13: What and Where to Plant, Nature vs. Government Planning, June 24, 2014
Agri Econ 14: NO to Further Extension of Agrarian Reform, July 03, 2014
Agri Econ 15: Why do Thailand and Vietnam Produce More Rice than the PH?, January 27, 2015
Sweden Seminar 1: Field Lectures, 2003, April 24, 2014
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