- The Green Revolution (early 1960s) sparked higher worldwide crop yields after scientists created output-maximizing hybrid seeds.
- However, sub-saharan African farmers remain decades behind in adopting modern seeds.
- In many African countries, where local soil conditions vary more than anywhere else, many commercial seeds simply don’t grow.
- Poor African farmers have also been turned off after falling victim to fake hybrid seeds.
- Another adoption barrier has been government-controlled seed companies, which limit competition (monopoly control, high barriers to entry) and often sell outdated seeds.
