There are many different ways of understanding what a seed system is and how it can best be developed.
One could say that before, let us say a century ago, there was no such thing as a seed system: we did not talk about it with those words. After the discovery of genes and possibilities to manipulate gene combinations of a plant through crossing and selection, plant breeding developed as a scientific activity. With it, a seed system developed which we now often refer to as a specialised, formal seed system with public and private sector actors. Much later became the general awareness and recognition that farmers have always selected and shared seed, representing a seed system in itself. This became referred to as the farmer managed, informal seed system. The interaction of these two systems has many different forms, depending on the crop, country and conditions