International Seed Organizations and Plant Sciences

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary concern for every farmer in terms of seed choice and availability?

Managing soil degradation

Adapting to market demands

Climate change resilience

Ensuring seed security (correct)

Why is good seed crucial for global food and nutrition security?

To ensure the availability of preferred seeds (correct)

To meet changing farming conditions

To address rural development

To support green value chains

What does the resilience of seed systems depend on?

The availability of multiple sources of seeds

The complementarity of formal and farmers' seed systems (correct)

The functioning of formal seed systems only

The functioning of farmers' seed systems only

Why is an analysis of possible disruptions and future-proofing necessary for seed systems?

To identify vulnerabilities in seed systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the literature review mentioned in the text?

The strengths and vulnerabilities of seed systems Signup and view all the answers

When was the International Seed Testing Association and the International Seed Federation established?

1924 Signup and view all the answers

What enabled plant breeding to begin in the late 17th century in Europe?

Clarification of heredity by Mendel Signup and view all the answers

When did seed production see a surge due to the demand for new plant varieties?

1960s Signup and view all the answers

What has become essential as seeds became an 'experience good'?

Reliable seed labels based on seed testing and varietal identity preservation Signup and view all the answers

What has become a key issue in the privatized seed sector since the 1990s?

Quality assurance and need for formal regulations Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor leading to farmers using food grain as seed in West Africa?

Limited access to quality seeds Signup and view all the answers

On what does the quality of seeds depend?

Weather during harvesting and local conditions Signup and view all the answers

How do farmers adapt to climate change?

By shifting to crops and varieties with greater resilience and changing planting times Signup and view all the answers

Why are women particularly vulnerable to seed security issues?

Due to their marginalized positions and double burden of farm and household work Signup and view all the answers

What can climate disasters during hunger periods seriously erode for farmers?

Farmers' assets, including seeds and social networks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of seeds in crop production and food security?

To enable farmers to access seeds of their choice Signup and view all the answers

Who manages the formal seed systems?

Public or private entities Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the capacity of a seed system to anticipate, absorb, respond, or transform due to changes?

Resilience Signup and view all the answers

What has received recent attention in efforts to improve seed systems?

Increasing farmers' access to superior varieties Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for ensuring farmers have access to seeds for sustainable livelihoods?

Seed systems resilience Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge faced by farmers' seed systems according to the text?

Difficulty in adapting farmers' varieties to changing conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of formal seed systems?

To offer uniform products that meet market expectations Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge faced by formal seed systems?

High costs from quality assurance, storage, and transport Signup and view all the answers

Why have government seed production schemes proven unsustainable?

Due to lack of affordability issues Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of private seed production according to the text?

It leads to the emergence of a competitive private sector Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of seed systems' resilience according to the text?

Access to crop diversity, institutions, and innovation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of farmers' seed systems according to the text?

Highly context-specific and characterized by a diversity of traditional and formal sector varieties Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of poorly performing seeds for farmers according to the text?

Devastating, as seed is an 'experience good,' and 'trust' is vital in the functioning and resilience of any seed system Signup and view all the answers

Who are farmers' seed systems essential for, according to the text?

About 500 million small-holder farmers worldwide Signup and view all the answers

When did formal seed systems develop, as mentioned in the text?

In Europe in the 18th century Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Seed security is maintained through the complementarity of formal and farmers' seed systems, increasing resilience and diversity of crops, varieties, and seed sources.
Seed systems' resilience is based on three key elements: access to crop diversity, institutions, and innovation.
Farmers' seed systems include farmers' selection, production, storage, and exchange of seeds, which have evolved in diverse agro-ecologies and livelihood strategies.
Farmers' seed systems cater to small-holder farmers with varying land holdings, tenure rights, and different crop and varietal preferences.
Farmers' seed systems are highly context-specific and characterized by a diversity of traditional and formal sector varieties.
Farmers' seed systems are essential for about 500 million small-holder farmers worldwide, with 80% of their seeds coming from farmers' seed systems, mostly from local grain markets.
Poorly performing seeds can be devastating for farmers since seed is an "experience good," and "trust" is vital in the functioning and resilience of any seed system.
Formal seed systems developed in Europe in the 18th century, involving professionals for seed production, separation of seed production from crop production, and creation of seed markets.
Seed production is a challenge for farmers due to the need to keep plants in the field for seed production and the demand for specialized seed production.
Seed markets and specialization of tasks in seed production resulted in a demand for high-quality seed of specific varieties.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the International Seed Testing Association, International Seed Federation, and the role of plant sciences in plant breeding. Explore the history, functions, and impact of these organizations on international seed trade.