When a resource-poor farmer pays to buy seed, they should be confident that nearly all of that seed will grow. Especially when they have invested precious finances, other input costs (such as fertilisers), space on the farm and time along with that seed. 

The reality is that often a fraction of this seed grows and in the worst cases, none of it does. 

There are many reasons why this situation might occur some of these are as follows:

1. Adverse weather conditions.  Particularly in rain-fed agricultural systems, favourable weather might be unpredictable causing farmers to miss the rain or plant too early. In many parts, this is becoming more of a challenge with climate change.
2. Fake seed. In many parts of the world, seed bags can be imitated or genuine bags can be mixed with food materials or common local varieties. You can read more on this here.
3. Management. This is simply how the farmer plants and treats the seed. For example, traditionally oxen-ploughs might be used but with some crops, this level of soil covering prevents them from reaching the surface to grow. 
4. Seed damage in supply and storage. Seeds are living individuals which will be harmed or killed by adverse conditions. Although relatively tough by design, great variation in temperature and humidity increases of damaging the seed. 

We are choosing to focus on this last point as often, we don’t know the conditions seeds are exposed to when they travel through the wide range of networks, carriers and storage. 

The journey to the farmer

In the formal sector, once seed is certified and leaves the company, it travels on trucks, cars and bikes to wholesalers, agro-dealers and local shops.