Exante Analysis of the Impact of the Proposed Seeds and Plant Varieties Act on On-farm Conservation of Crop Genetic Resources

Abstract

The Seed and Plant Varieties Act is undergoing revision to reflect the developments in the international seed industry. Though the proposed Act will benefit the private sector to appropriate profits from plant breeding and the government in trade related matters, it is not known whether the Act meets the interests of farmers as far as their on-farm diversification strategies are concerned. Thus the objective of this study was to identify factors that enhance on-farm crop diversity, estimate implications of the proposed Act on the level of on-farm crop diversity, and finally, determine the relative importance of relevant attributes of the proposed Act on farmers. Using the proportional sample formula, a total of 399 farmers were sampled from 5 divisions in Machakos District, namely, Kangundo, Matungulu, Ndithini, Masinga and Mavoko. Poisson regression was used to determine factors that enhance on-farm crop diversity as well as measure the implication of the proposed Act on on-farm crop diversity. In addition, empirical application of conjoint analysis was used to measure relative importance of the relevant attributes of the proposed Act. It was found that the formal education level, total area cultivated, use of fertilizer, use of organic manure, farmers' group membership, commercialization index, agro-ecological zone, mass media, and extension contact influenced on-farm conservation of crop genetic resources in the study area. It was also found that the proposed Seed and Plant Varieties Act had no impact on on-farm conservation of crop genetic resources in Machakos District. This was due to the fact that most farmers in the study area grew farmers' varieties rather than protected varieties. Finally, it was established that "the right to use farm saved seed of protected variety" was the most valued attribute to farmers, followed by "right to sell and exchange farm saved seed of protected variety", and lastly "restriction of seed companies by the proposed Act to use terminator technology". Recommendations include the need of governments and development agencies to support local market networks, encourage and arrange seed biodiversity fairs, support farmers by making organic and inorganic fertilizers available and affordable, and harmonise the relevant policies relating to extension services so as enable farmers to continue conserving as much crop diversity as possible. The documentation of indigenous knowledge to safeguard and utilize crop genetic resources is also recommended. Finally, it is recommended that, the proposed Act should be able to preserve farmers' rights to use, sell and exchange farm saved seed of protected variety and give freedom to seed companies to use the terminator technology. This will take care of the concerns of farmers and local communities as well as the interests of seed sector and biotechnology industries.