Sperling, L.

Designing Seed Systems with Small Farmers: Principles Derived From Bean Research in the Great Lakes Regions of Africa

This paper synthesises five years of field research on the bean seed sector within the Great Lakes region of Africa (Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Zaire). The work, conducted jointly by a variety of groups, suggests more effective ways for tailoring seed systems towards specific agro -ecological and socio-economic environments. While some of the recommendations are specific to the bean crop and the region, most can be applied more broadly.