This handbook covers a whole range of issues relating to local seed supply systems, including participatory plant breeding, and both technical and practical information on seed production and variety maintenance. It suggests new approaches and methods to support on-farm seed production by small-scale farmers in developing countries.

The first part of the book describes the functioning of local seed systems and discusses their strengths, limitations and possibilities for improvement. The editors discuss in detail issues of genetic diversity and in-situ conservation, farmers' rights...