A case study on federation-led seed production system: Enhancing sustainability and inclusion

Abstract

Small and marginal farmers constitute more than 86 per cent of India’s operational landholders, yet they continue to face significant constraints in accessing affordable, high-quality seeds. Women farmers encounter additional structural barriers, further limiting equitable participation in formal seed systems. In response to these challenges, this study examines the Federation Led Seed Production System (FLSPS) implemented through the Sahaja Aharam Producer Company Limited (SAPCO), a federation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) supported by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The model aims to strengthen decentralized, farmer-led seed production, quality assurance, and distribution through collective institutional architecture. The study adopts a qualitative research design using stakeholder content analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 stakeholders across six groups, including CSA experts, KVK scientists, CEOs, Board of Directors, Cluster Directors, and Seed Producer Farmers. An analytical coding framework comprising 18 codes across six thematic categories was developed to quantify consensus and divergence in stakeholder perspectives. Findings reveal that institutional clarity, technical handholding, and decentralized governance are key strengths of the FLSPS model. High frequencies for codes such as “Nodal/Federation Role” (18 mentions) and “Farmer Economics/Profit” (16 mentions) indicate strong recognition of the federation’s leadership and economic viability. The Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) has emerged as an innovative internal quality assurance mechanism, promoting technical discipline and inclusivity while reducing certification barriers for smallholders and women farmers. Economically, the federation marketed over 4,700 seed bags in Rabi 2024, generating revenues exceeding ?2 crores, demonstrating the commercial feasibility of the model. However, infrastructure gaps, particularly in storage, processing, and laboratory facilities constitute the most critical constraint (21 mentions), limiting scalability despite institutional robustness. The study concludes that federation-based seed systems represent a sustainable and inclusive alternative to centralized seed markets, enhancing farmer autonomy, improving seed quality, and strengthening rural livelihoods. Strategic investments in infrastructure, policy support, and capital mobilization are essential to unlock the full scaling potential of the FLSPS model and to institutionalize decentralized seed sovereignty in India.