Improve access to quality seed potatoes





This policy brief addresses the issue of limited farmer access to quality seed of Irish potato varieties in demand in local markets, which is a severe constraint for the potato sector in eastern Africa. It provides evidence in support of urgently needed action and presents options for practical decisions by policy-makers in the subregion.


KEY MESSAGES 
 The evolution of potato as a cash crop provides the need and the opportunity to invest in its seed systems. 
 Roots and tubers seed systems have specific characteristics that necessitate specific strategies. For instance, the private sector involvement in the production of early generation seeds should be facilitated.  The formal and informal seed markets are interlinked. Seed laws, policies and regulations and their implementation strategies should therefore address both.


This policy brief has been produced with the assistance of the European Union under the project ‘’Strengthening linkages between small-scale actors and buyers in the roots and tubers sector in Africa’’. 

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