Cambodia : Overview of a Cambodian Seed Sector
The use of quality seed is a major component of increased yields in crop production. Quality seed and seed programs in a country does not emerge by happenstance; it is created by a combination of many factors that include variety development, seed...
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| Language: | English en_US |
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Washington, DC
2015
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/07/24750010/cambodia-overview-cambodian-seed-secort http://hdl.handle.net/10986/22402 |
| Summary: | The use of quality seed is a major
component of increased yields in crop production. Quality
seed and seed programs in a country does not emerge by
happenstance; it is created by a combination of many factors
that include variety development, seed production, quality
control, processing, marketing, and governmental oversight.
As the seed sector in a country matures, each of these
factors becomes more important and plays a more important
role in the growth of the agricultural sector. The seed
program in Cambodia is interestingly different from that in
many other developing countries. Even without a true seed
program in Cambodia, farmers understand the need to plant
quality seed to increase crop yields. When structuring this
growing seed industry, it is important to look at current
practices and to incorporate these practices into programs.
Since a major thrust of the seed program in Cambodia
involves rice, it is important to consider its role in the
average Cambodian’s life. Cambodia’s climate must also be
accounted for in any decisions regarding seed. Its heat and
humidity causes rapid deterioration of seed viability and
germination in rice and other seeds in both the growth and
storage phases. CARDI research has shown that the level of
rice germination falls below 80-85 percent within 6-8 months
after harvest; this means that seed must be planted during
the growing season following harvest. Therefore, any seed
produced beyond immediate planting needs for the next crop
is used for milling; seed production costs for that seed
cannot be recouped. When seed producers’ budgets are
constrained, they often plan their seed production based on
conservative seed sales estimates. |
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