Maize Seed Industry in Thailand

Thailand has emerged as a major exporter of seeds, with maize seeds in the lead. Investments the country made, with the support of donors, and collaboration with CGIAR seeded the industry in the 1950s. Thailand’s efforts to increase maize production, with emphasis on using improved varieties, boosted its seed sector. Although the public sector organizations orchestrated widespread adoption of maize seeds, they could not keep up with the growing demand for seeds. Thailand’s efforts to attract the private sector encouraged many MNCs to enter the market, who subsequently produced hybrids as well. Following considerable consolidation, the seed industry is now an oligopoly with MNCs in the lead. The government has tried to encourage local firms to develop, but by the nature of the industry domestic firms face barriers too high to enter the industry. This brief note offers a context to discuss what countries can do to attract global investments and the limits to sovereignty that can be achieved.