Seed trade harmonization to address food security – COMESA

Kenya is set to gazette seed harmonization regulations before the end of the year to allow and ensure smooth flow of seed from one country to another.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Policy Research and Regulations Director, Ann Onyango, says the harmonization will allow farmers to access improved seed variety and increase food production and security

Kenya is among the 19 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states with more than 80 registered seed companies producing more than 44,000 tones yearly and it was gazetted by COMESA in 2014.

The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) CEO, Argent Chuula, says harmonizing seed trade rules and regulations within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions will eliminates barriers to seed trade in the region.

It is expected that if the COMESA member state agree to harmonize seed trade rules and regulations, it will result in removing trade barriers to free-flow of seed among member states.

Over 500 million people living in COMESA member states depend on crops among them beans, maize, rice, groundnuts cotton, wheat, cassava, potatoes, sunflower, sorghum, soya beans and millet.

Speaking during the opening of the second COM-SHIP Implementation Progress Review Meeting of COMESA Seed Harmonization Programme, Chuula said the objectives of the harmonization include streamlining the roles and responsibilities of national seed authorities and seed certification standards for field inspection and laboratory services.

“We want to ensure free movement of seed from one country to another through a harmonized policy so that obstacles to seed trade across our borders are removed with a view that the regional markets in Eastern and Southern Africa will become more attractive,” said Chuula.

The Ministry of Agriculture says that harmonization of seed trade will also enhance farmers’ access to seed through simplified customs procedures and quick seed varietal release procedures in the COMESA region.

Chuula cited lack of well developed seed industry and differences in terms of seed rules and regulations to contribute to seed availability, utilization and distribution of seeds from a surplus area to a deficit one.

United States Agency for International Development Kenya and east Africa Deputy mission Director, Candace Buzzard, says harmonizing seed regulations will promote the development and utilization of improved seeds across the region.

“Improved seed is a cornerstone of food security” she says.

According to USAID, only about 1 in 4 small scale farmers across the COMESA member state, have access to quality improved seed. Candace says insect pests and diseases, lack of a harmonized and rationalized seed trade within the region are among factors that lead to low access to quality standard seed.