Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD)-How Informal and Formal Seed Systems Can Work Together for the Conservation and Use of Agricultural Biodiversity

Agricultural biodiversity conservation and its availability for use are central to robust seed systems that support food security, poverty eradication and resilience to climate change. Recognising that smallholder farmers source seed of different qualities from a diversity of seed systems has resulted in the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) approach that supports the development of a pluralistic seed sector, which provides smallholder farmers with quality seed of the varieties they desire. The focus of the ISSD approach on the importance of different seed sources to cater for the diversity in demand by farmers offers also opportunities for better and more balanced support for both in situ and ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources, and strengthened use of agricultural biodiversity on farmers’ fields and in both community and commercial seed development programmes.