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Wild Growth: The Emergence of Formal Seed Systems from the Perspective of Rwandan Smallholder Farmers

Magielse, Maarten LU (2025) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20251
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Commercial hybridisation of seeds has created a large hybrid market that now dominates globally. In Rwanda, this market co-exists with a traditional system based on locally grown seeds. Local, farmer-grown seeds have traditionally been replanted to generate new seeds, which has kept farmers self-sufficient. Due to their genetic nature, hybrid seeds must be repurchased each season, creating a potential dependency relationship with the seed suppliers. A research gap exists regarding the risks caused by the shift from locally produced seeds to hybrid seeds, particularly from the perspective of Rwandan smallholder farmers. This thesis investigates the impact formal seed systems have on these local smallholder farmers. The potential benefits of... (More)
Commercial hybridisation of seeds has created a large hybrid market that now dominates globally. In Rwanda, this market co-exists with a traditional system based on locally grown seeds. Local, farmer-grown seeds have traditionally been replanted to generate new seeds, which has kept farmers self-sufficient. Due to their genetic nature, hybrid seeds must be repurchased each season, creating a potential dependency relationship with the seed suppliers. A research gap exists regarding the risks caused by the shift from locally produced seeds to hybrid seeds, particularly from the perspective of Rwandan smallholder farmers. This thesis investigates the impact formal seed systems have on these local smallholder farmers. The potential benefits of hybrid seeds include improved growing consistency and claimed disease resistance. Traceability, food safety, and certification efforts are guiding smallholder farmers towards increased adoption of hybrid seeds. The conceptual framework explores unequal exchange, and how unfair trade makes acquisition of hybrid seed costly, and the export of vegetables inequitable. Through a multiple case study, smallholder farmers’ willingness to shift to formal seed systems was identified, despite the farmers facing logistical challenges and high costs. Identified disadvantages, including reduced independence, have been linked to the proximity of seed suppliers to their end users, the farms. By establishing local seed production facilities, formal seed producers could achieve greater integration with their Rwandan customer base. To underpin agricultural development in Rwanda, local seed systems may be strengthened for the benefit of farmers and their independence. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Magielse, Maarten LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2025:24
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9210738
date added to LUP
2025-08-28 09:20:48
date last changed
2025-08-28 09:20:48
@misc{9210738,
  abstract     = {{Commercial hybridisation of seeds has created a large hybrid market that now dominates globally. In Rwanda, this market co-exists with a traditional system based on locally grown seeds. Local, farmer-grown seeds have traditionally been replanted to generate new seeds, which has kept farmers self-sufficient. Due to their genetic nature, hybrid seeds must be repurchased each season, creating a potential dependency relationship with the seed suppliers. A research gap exists regarding the risks caused by the shift from locally produced seeds to hybrid seeds, particularly from the perspective of Rwandan smallholder farmers. This thesis investigates the impact formal seed systems have on these local smallholder farmers. The potential benefits of hybrid seeds include improved growing consistency and claimed disease resistance. Traceability, food safety, and certification efforts are guiding smallholder farmers towards increased adoption of hybrid seeds. The conceptual framework explores unequal exchange, and how unfair trade makes acquisition of hybrid seed costly, and the export of vegetables inequitable. Through a multiple case study, smallholder farmers’ willingness to shift to formal seed systems was identified, despite the farmers facing logistical challenges and high costs. Identified disadvantages, including reduced independence, have been linked to the proximity of seed suppliers to their end users, the farms. By establishing local seed production facilities, formal seed producers could achieve greater integration with their Rwandan customer base. To underpin agricultural development in Rwanda, local seed systems may be strengthened for the benefit of farmers and their independence.}},
  author       = {{Magielse, Maarten}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Wild Growth: The Emergence of Formal Seed Systems from the Perspective of Rwandan Smallholder Farmers}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}