There are many different ways of understanding what a seed system is and how it can best be developed.
One could say that before, let us say around a century ago, there was no such thing as a seed system: we did not talk about it with those words.
After the discovery of genes and possibilities to manipulate gene combinations of a plant through crossing and selection, plant breeding developed as a scientific activity. With it, a seed system developed which we now often refer to as a specialised, formal seed system with public and private sector actors. Much later became the general awareness and recognition that farmers have always selected and shared seed, representing a seed system in itself. This became referred to as the farmer managed, informal seed system. There is however no clear boundary between these two, and the interaction between them has many different forms, depending on the crop, country and other conditions. As a result, there are alternative ways to characterize adn differentiate between seed systems, but in all cases the bounderies are diffuse and blurred.
For an introduction to seed systems: see f.e.
- ALMEKINDERS, C. J. M., LOUWAARS, N. P. & DEBRUIJN, G. H. 1994. Local seed systems and their importance for an improved seed supply in developing countries. Euphytica, 78, 207-216.
- LOUWAARS, N., DEBOEF, W.S. 2012. Integrated seed sector development in Africa: a conceptual framework for creating coherence between practices, programs, and policies. Crop Science 26 (2).
- WESTENGEN, O. T., DALLE, S. P. & MULESA, T. H. 2023. Navigating toward resilient and inclusive seed systems. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 120, e2218777120.