There are many different ways of understanding what a seed system is and how it can best be developed.
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 to which we now often refer 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 and 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.