Seed Systems for Smallholders: Bridging Gaps in Biotech, Inputs & Market Access

Author: Amol Pawar

Introduction

Smallholder farmers form the backbone of agricultural production in much of the developing world. Globally, more than 450 million smallholder households—most cultivating less than two hectares—are responsible for producing a substantial share of the world’s food. Yet, these farmers remain at the margins of technological advances, input access, and markets. Without addressing the systemic constraints they face, it will be impossible to sustainably feed a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050.

At the heart of this challenge lies the seed—the foundation of all crop production. High-quality, improved seeds can increase yields, improve resilience to pests and climate variability, and reduce post-harvest losses. But to deliver these benefits to smallholders, seed systems—the networks that develop, produce, distribute, and regulate seed—must be strengthened and adapted to local realities. This article explores the role of seed systems in smallholder productivity, identifies gaps in biotechnology adoption, input delivery, and market access, and outlines a pathway for bridging these gaps.

1. Understanding Seed Systems

A seed system is not just a supply chain—it’s a living ecosystem made up of institutions, regulations, and relationships. Its goal is to make sure farmers can get high-quality seeds at the right time, in the right quantity, and at a fair price.

Key components include:

• Research and Development – Breeding varieties with traits like high yield, pest resistance, or drought tolerance.
• Seed Production – Multiplying breeder seeds into foundation and certified seeds through formal or informal channels.
• Quality Assurance – Certification, testing, and compliance to ensure seed purity and viability.
• Distribution and Marketing – Connecting seed producers to farmers through effective channels.
• Policy and Regulation – Setting national standards for variety release, certification, and trade.

In many developing countries, informal systems—where farmers exchange seeds among themselves or buy from local markets—still supply 60–80% of all seed used. While these are accessible, they often lack the quality control of formal systems.

2. Why Improved Seeds Matter

Improved seeds—whether hybrid, open-pollinated, or biotech—can increase yields anywhere from 20% to 100% compared to traditional varieties.

Real-world benefits include:

a. Hybrid Maize in East Africa — 30–50% Higher Yields

A farmer-participatory study across Kenya and Rwanda found that stress-tolerant maize hybrids achieved approximately 18% higher yields than commercial checks under farmers’ actual growing conditions, though under optimal conditions yields were similar

Another study tracking maize production in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania) attributed part of the upward yield trend—from around 1 t/ha in the early 1960s to about 1.5 t/ha by the mid-1980s—to the adoption of improved maize seed varieties, among other factors

References:

• Adoption of Maize Technologies in East Africa – What Happened to Africa’s Emerging Maize Revolution?
• Stress-Tolerant Maize Hybrids in Kenya and Rwanda – Yield Gains in Farmer Conditions

b. Drought-Tolerant Rice in South Asia — Stable Harvests Despite Erratic Monsoons

In trials in India, the drought-tolerant variety IR64 Drought demonstrated yield advantage ranging from 20% to as high as 115% compared to traditional IR64 variety

Additionally, a study highlighted Sahbhagi Dhan, a drought-tolerant rice variety released through IRRI’s breeding program, which limited yield losses to only ~13.6% during drought years compared to normal conditions

References:

• https://www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/impact-drought-tolerant-rice-local-labor-markets-india
• Sahbhagi Dhan: Drought-Tolerant Rice Yield Performance

c. Pest-Resistant Cotton (Bt Cotton) — Lower Pesticide Costs & Higher Profits

In India, smallholders adopting Bt cotton experienced a 24% increase in cotton yield per acre and a 50% gain in profits, thanks to reduced pest damage and lower pesticide use. Additional sources also report that Bt cotton boosts yield by protecting against bollworms, and contributes to lower insecticide use and potential reductions in cultivation costs

References:

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3406847/?utm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bt_cotton?utm
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10708160/?utm

Yet, adoption rates among smallholders remain low, mainly due to high costs, poor access, and limited extension services to guide farmers.

3. Gaps Holding Back Smallholders

a. Biotechnology Adoption Gaps

Modern breeding tools like gene editing and molecular markers have sped up crop development. But smallholders face:

• Long delays in regulatory approvals for new varieties.
• Public misinformation and mistrust about biotech crops.
• Breeding programs that cater more to large-scale farms than smallholder conditions.

b. Input Delivery Gaps

Improved seeds only deliver their potential when paired with the right inputs:

• Fertilizers to ensure soil nutrition.
• Crop protection to manage pests, weeds, and diseases.
• Irrigation to guard against water stress.

Smallholders, however, struggle with high input prices, scarce agro-dealers, and limited credit access.

c. Market Access Gaps

Even when farmers manage to increase production, the lack of secure markets can deter them from investing in better seeds. Common issues include:

• Poor infrastructure and high transport costs.
• Price instability and inadequate storage.
• Weak linkages to buyers or contract farming schemes.

4. Real-World Examples

a. PABRA (Pan-African Bean Research Alliance) – Africa
Operating in 32 African countries, PABRA has released over 536 improved bean varieties, reaching more than 30 million households. In Zambia, the Mbereshi iron-rich bean doubled yields to two tons per hectare. This led to a doubling of land planted with beans and a six-fold rise in certified seed production since 2021.
🔗 PABRA Africa Overview 🔗 Zambia Bean Seed Systems

b. CIMMYT’s SeedAssure – East Africa
SeedAssure is a cloud-based platform that digitizes seed inspections, certification, and compliance. It connects regulators, seed companies, and inspectors in real time, cutting counterfeit risks and speeding market entry. Hybrid seed producers using it have seen up to one ton per hectare yield gains.
🔗 SeedAssure: Faster, Better Certification 🔗 Rural Solutions Portal

c. IRRI’s SeedCast – Asia & Africa
SeedCast helps estimate and aggregate seed demand for each season, improving supply planning. Piloted in Tanzania in 2023, it works alongside advisory tools like Rice Crop Manager to provide fertilizer recommendations and real-time crop advice.
🔗 SeedCast Tanzania

5. Bridging the Gaps – The Way Forward

a. Strengthen Smallholder-Focused R&D

• Involve farmers in participatory plant breeding.
• Build public–private biotech partnerships.
• Harmonize seed release rules across borders.

b. Build Efficient Seed Supply Chains

• Support small and medium-sized seed enterprises.
• Promote Quality Declared Seed (QDS) for quicker scaling.
• Expand last-mile agro-dealer networks.

c. Integrate Seeds with Input Packages

• Bundle seeds with fertilizers and crop protection.
• Provide credit linked to harvest sales.
• Develop climate-smart production kits.

d. Link Seeds to Markets

• Expand contract farming models.
• Strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations.
• Use digital tools for up-to-date market prices.

6. The Role of Digital Platforms like seedsoft.io

Digital platforms can be the backbone of more efficient, transparent seed systems. seedsoft.io is a good example by offering:

• Very easy mobile-app driven tracking of varietal performance at a smallholder level – Recording yield, disease tolerance and other parameters both in pre-commercial trials and for existing commercial varieties.
• Access to varietal data for farmers – this allows the farmers to browse through the available cultivars and make informed decisions ahead of the purchase
• Supply–Demand Forecasting – Seed providers can collate demand data from agro-distributors to plan production.
• Data Insights & Coordination – Aggregating adoption and performance data to help breeders, policymakers, and companies make better decisions.

7. Measuring Impact

Success in building inclusive seed systems could be tracked by:

• The percentage of farmers adopting improved seeds.
• Yield gains per hectare.
• Growth in local seed enterprises.
• Decline in counterfeit seed cases.
• More farmers participating in formal markets.

Conclusion

Seed systems are the backbone of agricultural progress. For smallholder farmers, they offer the fastest route to boosting yields, improving incomes, and strengthening climate resilience. Lessons from global initiatives like PABRA, CIMMYT, and IRRI demonstrate that true transformation occurs when high-quality seeds are paired with the right inputs, accessible markets, and enabling policies. The opportunity for a smallholder-led Green Revolution in Africa, Asia, and beyond is real—provided seed systems are intentionally designed to bridge persistent gaps in biotechnology uptake, input distribution, and market integration.

While improved seeds alone cannot solve every challenge, they remain the most effective entry point for large-scale agricultural transformation. When combined with agronomic training, financial access, and strong market networks, they become a catalyst for lasting change. Ensuring that smallholders—who make up the majority of the world’s farmers—receive timely, affordable, and reliable access to these seeds, along with complementary services, can unlock productivity gains that not only uplift rural livelihoods but also strengthen global food security. The cost of inaction is steep: without inclusive seed systems, the very farmers who could feed billions risk being left behind.

Today, digital tools like Seedsoft.io are redefining how the “last mile” is bridged—bringing innovations in biotechnology, seed quality, and market connections directly to farmers’ fields. With the right blend of global expertise and local adaptation, we can nurture a new era of agricultural growth—one that is smallholder-driven, climate-smart, and socially inclusive. The seeds of the next Green Revolution are already in our hands; the question is whether we will plant them wisely, grow them collectively, and harvest a future where no farmer is left behind.