Developments, bottlenecks, and opportunities in seed markets for improved forages in East Africa: The case of Kenya

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dc.creatorFlorez, Jesus Fernando
dc.creatorKarimi, Peggy
dc.creatorParedes, John Jairo
dc.creatorÁngel, Natalia T.
dc.creatorBurkart, Stefan
dc.date2024-03
dc.date2024-05-16T12:01:37Z
dc.date2024-05-16T12:01:37Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T13:35:49Z
dc.descriptionBackground Cattle farming plays a pivotal role in Africa's agricultural and livestock sector, poised for growth due to population expansion and rising per capita consumption of animal-sourced food. Forages are a primary source of feed for dairy cattle, significantly impacting production costs. While local forage varieties are preferred by dairy farmers, there has been an increase in the adoption of improved forages in recent years. However, the overall adoption rate is still low, for example, due to underdeveloped forage seed markets. Methods This study describes the dynamics, challenges, and potential of these markets in Kenya and selected East African countries, focusing on (i) market evolution over the past decade, (ii) forthcoming market prospects, and (iii) bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. Data were gathered in 2022 through qualitative interviews with stakeholders representing six segments of the forage seed sector across six countries. Results We found a sustained growth of the improved forage seed market in recent years. The main challenges for further growth are high seed prices, regulatory difficulties, and limited producer knowledge. Conclusions The findings unveil positive dynamics in the region's forage seed market, fueled by the engagement and determination of stakeholders who recognize the manifold benefits that it holds for both the dairy industry and economic growth. The realization of this market's potential requires addressing prevailing challenges, including elevated seed costs, intricate variety registration processes, and a pervasive lack of awareness among farmers.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/141870
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/64366
dc.languageen
dc.publisherWiley
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceFlorez, J.F.; Karimi, P.; Paredes, J.J.; Ángel, N.T.; Burkart, S. (2024) Developments, bottlenecks, and opportunities in seed markets for improved forages in East Africa: The case of Kenya. Grassland Research 3: p. 79-96. ISSN: 2770-1743
dc.subjectsostenibilidad
dc.subjectganadería
dc.subjectsustainability
dc.subjectseed
dc.subjectforage
dc.subjectproducción animal
dc.subjectsemilla
dc.subjectdevelopment
dc.subjectfeeds-animal feed
dc.subjectmarket research-market analysis
dc.subjectforrajes
dc.subjectdairy cattle
dc.subjectcattle
dc.subjectdesarrollo
dc.subjectanimal production
dc.subjectinvestigación de mercados
dc.titleDevelopments, bottlenecks, and opportunities in seed markets for improved forages in East Africa: The case of Kenya
dc.typeJournal Article

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