SIMLESA: Policy briefs

Adoption of legumes is often hampered by poor seed supply. Majority of smallholders obtain legume seed from open grain markets or by recycling the previous year’s harvests. Smallholders produce their own seed because private sector involvement in legume seed markets is underdeveloped. Farmers and community-based organizations multiply and sell small quantities of quality declared seed of improved varieties to other farmers within a restricted zone, with minimal formal quality control. Often, the initial seed originates from the formal seed system.