Access, Supply System and Utilization of Improved Seed varieties in Debub Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the access, supply and utilization of Improved Seed varieties with specific objectives of to assess access to improved seed Varsities, to identify seed supply system and to assess seed utilization system. The primary data were collected from sample respondents through structured questioner and from focused group discussion through checklist were as secondary data were collected from districts agricultural and natural resource office through general discussion. The study districts were selected purposively based on improved seed utilization then from the districts kebeles were selected purposively based on access to, supply and utilization of seed finally 40 sample farmers were selected proportionally to the total number of households of each kebele. The farmers having large farm sizes high experience is willing highly to use improve seeds than those of small land size and low experience. In the study area, farmers widely uses seeds, which are locally available than the seeds from formal systems because seeds from formal systems pass through long chain to reach the farmers. Access to, supply and utilization of improved seeds are critical factors for the ability of smallholder farmers to increase agricultural production and productivity, ensuring food security and improving livelihoods. But, still the sector is unable to fulfill the farmer’s needs of access to improved seed varieties of needed quantity, at expected quality and in a timely manner, mainly because of the highly centralized seed distribution system and virtual absence of seed marketing conducted by the seed producing enterprises and companies. In the study area farmers majorly purchase improved seeds from local markets and sometimes they exchange with other farmers.