This study is one of the stock-taking activities undertaken under the SD=HS program, focusing on policies relevant to the functioning of small-scale farming systems. It aims to guide further work of the SD=HS program by assessing national seed laws in the eight countries covered by the program, to inform recommendations to ensure these laws better support the functioning of farmers’ seed systems.

Chapter 1 presents the results of a global literature review on small-scale agriculture and seed systems. Chapter 2 draws on information from SD=HS partners to analyze the situation in the eight program countries – India, Laos, Mali, Myanmar, Peru, Senegal, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.