This paper provides the history of development; an analysis of the current industry’s structure, conduct, and performance; and a review of related regulations of the maize seed industry in Thailand. The lessons learned from the success of the maize seed industry in Thailand could provide implications for the development of the seed industry in other developing countries

HarvestPlus seeks to select one or more wheat varieties in Pakistan to biofortify with zinc to improve the health of the Pakistani population, especially women and children. The choice of varieties to enrich, and their diffusion patterns, will influence the productivity and efficiency of wheat production. This analysis seeks to (1) compare the relative productivity and efficiency of farmers currently growing the most widely diffused wheat varieties, and (2) update our understanding of factors that influence productivity and efficiency of wheat production.

Factsheet

Factsheet

There is little rigorous evidence on the comparative impacts of cash and food transfers on food security and food-related outcomes. We assess the relative impacts of receiving cash versus food transfers using a randomized design. Drawing on data collected in eastern Niger, we find that households randomized to receive a food basket experienced larger, positive impacts on measures of food consumption and diet quality than those receiving the cash transfer.

Swaziland as a developing middle income country has continuously sought to create an enabling environment for the development of the agricultural sector. The country has enacted policies and strategies together with programs to facilitate the attainment of growth targets in the agricultural sector (World Bank, 2011). Consequently, this will lead to the attainment of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) targets, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and facilitate economic growth.

The contribution of chemical fertilizers towards increased agricultural production is well established. Indian agricultural policy focused on increasing productivity and modern inputs such as improved seeds (HYVs), irrigation, chemical fertilizers, etc. have played an important role in increasing crop production and productivity. Increased fertilizer use will continue to play an important role in increasing agricultural productivity given the diminishing land available for cultivation.

Factsheet

Factsheet

Factsheet

Nepal is a landlocked country, surrounded by India and China with long borders. All merchandise trade, including fertilize trade, is transited through India. Because of its geopolitical location and agroecological conditions, Nepal faces unique challenges in developing a well-functioning fertilizer market. The main objective of this policy brief is to highlight the difficulties a landlocked country faces in procuring fertilizers and the externalities it encounters from neighboring countries fertilizer polices in promoting efficient fertilizer use and supply.

Project paper