Markets in Fragile Contexts Technical Resource Summary
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To improve productivity and enhance resilience to environmental uncertainties, smallholder farmers require access to quality, affordable seed. In fragile country contexts, however, limited public sector capacity to properly regulate the formal seed sector can lead to farmers relying on seed of unknown genetic quality and/or emergency seed distributions. These factors can create a disincentive for private sector investment in quality seed production and distribution, stifling the development of a vibrant seed market system.
With support from USAID/Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Feed the Future Enabling Environment for Food Security (EEFS) project examined the seed market system in the fragile context of eastern DRC by employing the Seed Commercial, Legal, and Institutional Reform (SeedCLIR) methodology.
Through the full SeedCLIR report, two technical articles, and a global webinar, the EEFS consultant team describes how development actors and policymakers can facilitate an improved enabling environment for seed in DRC through a phased approach. Practitioners may apply the study’s findings to the specific characteristics of eastern DRC as well as more broadly to increase farmer resilience and private sector engagement in fragile market contexts.
The findings and recommendations demonstrate tangible and practical ways to support countries along the Journey to Self-Reliance. To learn more, access the technical one-pager below.