Technical Agreements on Harmonization of Seed Regulations - icrisat
Technical Agreements on Harmonization of Seed Regulations - icrisat
Technical Agreements on Harmonization of Seed Regulations - icrisat
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Foreword<br />
<strong>Seed</strong> 1 is a key input for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring<br />
food security. It is a preferred tool for re-establishing the livelihoods<br />
<strong>of</strong> farmers affected by disasters and to return them to a life <strong>of</strong> dignity,<br />
independent <strong>of</strong> handouts. Access to quality seed also facilitates food<br />
resource diversificati<strong>on</strong> and preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> genetic erosi<strong>on</strong> in rural<br />
agriculture.<br />
<strong>Seed</strong> trade is essential for both agricultural growth and regi<strong>on</strong>al seed<br />
security. As a result <strong>of</strong> various factors, and in particular owing to the<br />
diversity <strong>of</strong> nati<strong>on</strong>al regulatory systems in the countries, farmers c<strong>on</strong>tinue<br />
to be seed insecure. <strong>Seed</strong> markets are segregated, small, and difficult to<br />
access. In each country a new variety must go through lengthy variety<br />
testing and release procedures before seed can be marketed. <strong>Seed</strong><br />
companies are compelled to select <strong>on</strong>ly a few countries for release. This<br />
denies or delays farmers’ access to new products. Variati<strong>on</strong>s in nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
standards for seed certificati<strong>on</strong> and quality c<strong>on</strong>trol, and in quarantine and<br />
phytosanitary measures for seed, complicate the trading <strong>of</strong> seed between<br />
countries and cause difficulties for the efficient movement <strong>of</strong> emergency<br />
seed c<strong>on</strong>signments. As a result <strong>of</strong> the above, new as well as existing seed<br />
entrepreneurs are discouraged from investing in the market. Furthermore,<br />
seed prices are not subject to efficient competiti<strong>on</strong> and farmers’ choices<br />
remain limited.<br />
The primary objective <strong>of</strong> harm<strong>on</strong>izati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> seed regulati<strong>on</strong>s is to address<br />
these problems by integrating smaller and isolated nati<strong>on</strong>al seed markets<br />
into <strong>on</strong>e larger Southern African Development Community (SADC)<br />
market for seed. This, in turn, will promote the entry <strong>of</strong> new improved<br />
varieties in the regi<strong>on</strong> and ease the movement <strong>of</strong> quality seed from<br />
countries with surplus to countries in need <strong>of</strong> seed. Both nati<strong>on</strong>al and<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>al seed suppliers will find SADC a more attractive market. Lower<br />
costs and simpler administrati<strong>on</strong> will further encourage local, small-scale<br />
seed producers and suppliers to expand their activities.<br />
The overall benefits will be increased investments in the seed sector,<br />
increased seed producti<strong>on</strong>, access to more varieties, and increased<br />
competiti<strong>on</strong>. In the end, farmers will be <strong>of</strong>fered access to a wider portfolio<br />
<strong>of</strong> quality seed products at more affordable prices. For the regi<strong>on</strong>, this will<br />
1 In this document the term “seed” refers to true botanical seed and vegetative planting materials.<br />
Tree seed is not included.<br />
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