Laws and regulations enabling and restricting Africa’s vegetable seed sector

Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa do not have much choice of quality seed vegetable cultivars adapted to local growing conditions and consumer demand. Only a handful companies invest breeding research, while nearly all rely on imports. Our objective was analyse what extent existing laws regulations enable or restrict the development research-based sector Africa. Using regulatory value chain approach, we analysed written for 13 countries interviewed private public stakeholders. We generally find that taken government-centred approach control without recognizing government agencies little capacity this properly crops. Mandatory Value Cultivation Use (VCU) trials state-controlled certification are two examples approaches may work cereals but well suited vegetables. No country has as goal their national policy, only four set out specific objectives sector. Tailoring policies, more specifically vegetables could stimulate variety production benefit smallholder farmers consumers at large.