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Malawi, Increasing the availability of legume seed
Grain legumes are an important component
of Malawi’s maize-based farming system and
are a cheap source of vegetable protein and
vitamins, in addition to their contribution of
soil fertility improvement through nitrogen
fixation. Despite these benefits grain legume
production is characterised by low yields
with farmers experiencing serious problems
in accessing legume seed as seed companies
have focused primarily on maize seed to the
detriment of other crops.
The Malawi Government’s programme of providing subsidised seed and fertiliser for
smallholder famers initially focused on maize but now includes legumes as it was
recognised that their inclusion was desirable both from human nutritional and soil
fertility perspectives. However, a serious shortage of seed was a major constraint.
A DFID-funded programme, Research-Into-Use (RIU)-Malawi was instrumental in
promoting an innovation systems approach that facilitated the bringing together of
legume seed stakeholders in an IP to identify bottlenecks and opportunities to increase
seed availability by helping to broker linkages for the participation of farmers in
multiplying breeder and basic seed for certified seed production.
Initial analysis involved looking at the whole seed value chain from new variety
approval and release, production of breeders’, foundation and certified seed to sale to
farmers. The critical constraint was identified as being the lack of sufficient breeders’
seed. Although breeders were attempting to meet the demand, it was taking time and
resources from ongoing crop breeding research. The proposed solution was for small
quantities of pre-breeders seed to be released by the breeders to private sector growers
with regular inspection by Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS) Seed
Services ensuring seed quality was maintained and certifying the seed as required.
RIU-Malawi provided a revolving innovation grant to initiate activities, which allowed
the IP to contract an approved private sector applicant to purchase pre-breeders seed
to multiply and produce breeder’s seed. This was undertaken in close consultation with
the breeder. This seed was then purchased by IP for onward sale to successful farmer
applicants who were contracted to produce basic seed. The IP empowered members of
an Association of Smallholder Farmers Seed Multiplication Action Group (ASSMAG) and
Grain Legumes Association (GALA) through training to become effective partners. The IP
organised and paid for training of farmers by the DARS Seed Services unit.
Key achievements included a policy decision by the Government to allow farmers to
participate in multiplication of legume breeder seed. As a result considerable quantities
of breeders and foundation seed are now available for farmers to produce certified seed.
Initial context. Grain legumes are an important component of Malawi’s maize-based farming
system and are a cheap source of vegetable protein and vitamins, in addition to their
The case studies: Southern Africa 53