This paper synthesises the findings of research undertaken in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia on the different ways in which relief seed and seed vouchers are programmed, and seeks to identify how such interventions can potentially best benefit both farmers and commercial seed markets. However, the review of the seed interventions in the three case study countries reveals that it is difficult to distinguish relief interventions from the supply of subsidized inputs or social protection and longer-term developmental interventions. This blurring of relief and developmental objectives is due to chronic vulnerability and recurrent drought in the region.