These operations should be placed in a framework conducive to their follow-up and sustainability through capitalization on their experiences and integration of their monitoring and evaluation. Policy Implications and Lessons Learned Seed programs under rigorous climatic conditions like Mauritania's should focus first on the production of seed stocks whose use yields a high level of impact on global production, so that benefits accrue to the largest number of farmers and not just those in well-irrigated, already comparatively productive areas. A seed program should thus be aimed at the production of all seed varieties. It is important to remember that choices of adapted varieties and genetic advances are not the only factors that increase yield. Other than climatic conditions, which cannot be influenced, productivity also depends on the cultural methods used for each type of crop.
Extension services are therefore also an important factor.
Any policies that favour providing government subsidies for the distribution of seeds at low prices to the national producers should be eliminated in order to sustain proper production.