An Assessment of Farm Household Diverse Common Bean Seed Sources and the Seed Quality in Central Ethiopia

抄録

This paper addresses farm household common bean seed access behavior and seed quality issues in light of farm household socioeconomic characteristics. The notion that seed from informal source is poor quality and informal seed market (ISM) is the last resort for the poor household is closely examined. Data for this study were gathered in 2011 using structured questionnaire interview of randomly selected farm households. Seed samples were collected from the interviewed farmers, ISM and formal sources. On average, 93% of the farmers obtained seed from the informal sources while the remaining was accessed from the formal source. One-third of farm households consistently acquired seeds from ISM regardless of whether it is in normal or stress year. Higher proportion of women headed and the poor households tend to procure seed from informal sources (mainly ISM). However, the proportion of the well off farmers accessed seed from ISM was also significantly high (about 1/3) contrary to the commonly held belief that the well off farmers are seed self-sufficient and procuring seed from ISM is a sign of vulnerability. The informal seed source is more responsive and accessible to men and women headed households of all categories during the stress and normal years. Such an important entity of the informal seed source, ISM, deserves consideration as a positive force in the dissemination of new variety or seed hand in hand with strengthening farmer seed production. The formal seed sector has also a crucial role in new germplasm or quality seed introduction, recognition, and strengthening of the informal seed sector. Physical and germination quality of the seeds obtained from informal sources had met the standard despite minor defects. Even though seed from the informal seed sources is flexible, offers acceptable quality seed and serves all categories of farm households, it has mixtures and insect pest infestation. Hence, improvement of seed storage, insect control, and basic information about varietal characteristics including variety names has to be addressed for enhanced quality seed distribution.