Isra, Muhammad (57678826300); Hippy, Mohammad Zubair (58247196100); Amanda, Andi Aulia (60255705600); Taqiyyah, Faizah Rana (60255849700)
Local seed systems play a critical role in supporting agricultural sustainability, food security, and agrobiodiversity, particularly in developing regions where formal seed systems often fail to meet the needs of smallholder farmers. This systematic literature review synthesizes evidence from a traceable final corpus of 48 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 to examine the characteristics of local seed business models, the enabling factors that support them, and the challenges that constrain their contribution to food security. Following the PRISMA 2020 and SPAR-4-SLR protocols, relevant studies were identified from Scopus, Web of Science, and AGRIS, screened using explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, and analyzed across four key themes: governance arrangements, socioeconomic performance and inclusion, the role of neglected and underutilized species (NUS), and technological and organizational innovations. The findings show that participatory and decentralized governance structures are associated with greater transparency, local ownership, and the conservation of agrobiodiversity. Socioeconomic strategies that incorporate gender inclusion and community participation are linked to improved productivity, market engagement, and adaptive capacity. The integration of NUS within local seed systems contributes to dietary diversity, cultural relevance, and resilience in marginal environments. Furthermore, digital platforms, participatory breeding, and collaborative innovation processes are reported to improve coordination, operational efficiency, and the scalability of local seed enterprises. However, persistent constraints remain, including limited access to finance, infrastructural weaknesses, fragmented market linkages, and restrictive seed regulatory frameworks. Drawing on the FAO Seed System Development Framework, the Business Model Canvas, and innovation system theory, this review demonstrates that the sustainability and food security outcomes of local seed systems depend on the alignment of inclusive governance, viable business strategies, and supportive innovation ecosystems. The findings provide policy-relevant insights for strengthening equitable, resilient, and locally grounded agricultural development. © 2026 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Food Technology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia; Agribusiness Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia; Medical Education Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Indonesia
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