ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests the formation of a national seed board, a seed advisory committee, or some such group to serve as a coordinating mechanism among the various components of the program. It discusses development activities that could be undertaken to stimulate seed production. The test of an administrator or a leader is the ability to reach the correct decision at the right time. Leaders of seed programs must make many hard choices and establish consistent policies so that seed production and distribution accelerate agricultural progress rather than impede it. Crop research is the foundation of a seed program. Importing is often the quickest way to make good seed widely available. Especially for the short term, importing has advantages for supplying seed of minor crops or seed that may be uneconomical to produce locally.
