Most economies in sub-Saharan Africa are based on agriculture. Sluggish growth in agricultural 
production translates into slow growth and low per capita incomes (ASARECA, 2005).  In eastern 
and southern Africa, national average yields of maize (the main staple) are about 1.5 tons per ha 
compared with a global average of 4.5 tons per ha (ASARECA, 2005).  This can be partly 
attributed to limited development of commercial seed markets: less than 10% of the seed planted is 
purchased from the formal market (Rohrbach et al; 2003).  Seed markets in the region are small 
and highly fragmented; with closed national markets dominated by a few international companies 
and parastatals, and restrictive laws, regulations and policies. As a result, many released varieties 
have never been widely disseminated. 