Governmental policies for strengthening the seed industry: generation and transfer of seed technology

摘要

Latin America and the Caribbean countries have developed their seed policies and programmes under the mantle of government responsibility to improve agricultural development with the state being the principal actor, promoter and executor. In the 1970s, most RLC governments established seed programme with assistance from research organizations, technical co-operation and international financing that led to the generation of improved varieties and facilitated the access of quality seeds of these varieties to the farmers. The creation in 1979 of the Seed Unit in CIAT contributed to seed sector development in RLC, particularly in the countries of the Andean Community, until its demise in 1990. During the era of the CIAT Seed Unit, seed professionals from the public and private institutions were encouraged to participate in the establishment of seed policies and programmes. These professionals also actively participated in the elaboration of national plans and strategies for the development of the seed sector. Much emphasis was given to training. As a result, national private sectors started to show interest in the development and consolidation of the national seed industries.