"In most developing countries the use of quality seeds of self-pollinated crops like pulses is low because of economic and biological factors. The purpose of this study was to better understand the market potential for private sector-led seed system for two important pulse crops-chick pea and green gram in the Central Dry Zone region of Myanmar. I used the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak bidding experiment mechanism to estimate farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for seeds with different quality attributes and to assess the impact of seed packaging, branding, traceability, and labeling on farmers' WTP a premium for these quality-signaling attributes. For green gram, I also collected detailed cost data for producing seed and grain. Results indicate that providing information on the identity of the seed source, packaging, branding, traceability, and labeling had no statistically significant effect on farmers' WTP a premium for these attributes. I also found that visual inspection of seeds' physical attributes was an important determinant of farmers' WTP. Comparing the results with the cost analysis suggests that about 40% of the farmers' WTP for certified seed produced by the local seed producers and 65% of farmers' WTP for the company seed, which was perceived to be of highest quality was above the cost of seed production, which did not include storage, transport, and marketing costs. Results of this study suggest potential market demand exists for quality seed but more research is needed to better understand the cost structure and bring the total cost of producing and marketing seed below the WTP price for a large number of farmers."--Page ii.
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