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| Farmer Input Supply Program(FISP) beneficiaries collecting their inputs |
It has been said that a country’s agricultural sector is as
strong as its seed system. Zambia is one of the largest seed exporters in Africa
with its maize seed industry being regarded as the strongest in the SADC
region. The country has enjoyed a longstanding reputation of original genetic
research and certified seed production.
The private sector plays a major role in this seed
production and export. Commercial farmers who are specialized, take the lead
role in breeding and improving seed varieties and selling of varieties that are
certified by the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI).However, this
formal seed sector is designed for commercial agriculture. Small scale farmers
who are the majority of farmers and who are not as technologically able, are not
fully
