Project Briefs

Evidence of policy change in Uganda: Joining efforts towards pluralistic seed sector development

Introduction

Since 2012, the Ugandan seed sector has undergone several changes. The major change has been in the shift from a narrow focus on the ‘seed industry’ towards a more pluralistic view of ‘seed sector’ development; acknowledging that there are different seed systems in the country that can function alongside each other. The introduction of Quality Declared Seed (QDS) as an official seed class for farmers producing and marketing quality seed is one of the more visible outcomes. Although the contribution of the formal seed system to farmers’ seed use is still low, and counterfeit seed is still rampant, change is happening. Several stakeholders - such as the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), National Agricultural Research Organisations (NARO), Development Partners, seed companies and farmer organisations - have played a key role in creating change at national level, either collectively or individually.

Therefore the changes described in this brief are not attributable solely to the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) initiative.