Evolving a plant breeding and seed system in sub-Saharan Africa in an era of donor dependence
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Because of the complexity of crop breeding in sub-Saharan Africa, the dependence on public sector institutions in producing improved varieties, the often constrained capacity of public sector institutions and reliance on donor funding for operational capacity at national, subregional and continental level, this report argues for better integration of breeding capacities within what might be termed a plant breeding and seed system for sub-Saharan Africa. A plant breeding system conceived at a con tinental level both captures the scale economies inherent in plant breeding but also meets the requirements of local adaptation so critical in low-input farming systems. To achieve this there will need to be changes in institutional arrangements at national, subregional and continental level and greater coherence in donor funding of plant breeding on the continent. To substantiate this argument, the report reviews the history and current status of plant breeding and seed-system development on th e continent. This is done by focusing on plant breeding in rice, maize, cassava, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and vegetables and reviewing plant breeding capacity in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi based on the most important crops in each country.