Agricultural Productivity and Markets Thematic Area

FANRPAN Partners Meeting

13 June 2011Pretoria, South Africa

*Challenges and ConstraintsLow agricultural productivity is a major challenge amongst smallholder farmers due in part to:

Low access to technology2.5% of African smallholder farmers use improved seedAfricas seed trade amounts to less than 2% of the global seed trade

High post-harvest losses Physical grain losses (prior to processing) amount to 10 - 20 %Valued at around $4billion annually

Poor input and output market linkages and marketing informationunstructured markets, disorganised supply chains, erratic price fluctuations

Seed Security in SADC

ChallengeIn SADC farmers remain seed insecure due in part todifferent seed laws and regulations,procedures which hinder the timely movement of seed across borders SolutionHarmonization of seed policies, laws, regulations and procedures into a unified strategy with the aim of increasing the flow of seed across national borders.

Impact This will increase the choice of quality seed available to farmers, leading to increased productivity, income and food security.

History of Seed Harmonization in SADC2007: Three SADC Seed Harmonization Protocols finalized and endorsed2010: MOU for the implementation of SADC seed regulatory system signed1988 - 2003: 11 regional meetings and five national workshops on seed harmonisation

SADC Seed Security Network Project (SSSN1)

LaunchSSSN 1 was launched in July 2001 as a unit within the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) directorate of the SADC secretariat

AimTo contribute to policy dialogue and formulation, culminating in elimination of trade barriers that are hindering intra-regional seed trade.

FundingFrom 2004-2006 the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) successfully funded SSSN 1.

SADC Seed Security Network (SSSN) OutputsA Harmonised Seed Regulatory system with 3 componentsVariety registration and release-to increase the choice of varieties available to farmers;Seed certification and quality control-to improve seed quality and allow more efficient movement of seed in the region; andPhytosanitary and quarantine measures for seed- to enhance safer and faster movement of seed

Often time regional protocols are developed but not implemented. FANRPAN is conducting a pilot project in an attempt to ensure that the regional protocol on seed policy harmonization is domesticated and implemented in order to benefit farmers.

Harmonized Seed Security Project (HaSSP)

The Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP)Project Purpose: Domesticating and implementing the SADC Harmonised Seed Regulatory System in four pilot countriesMalawi, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Project Goal: To contribute to improved food security of smallholder farmers in the SADC region through increased availability of and access to improved seed

Duration: Four years (2010 2013)

Funding: Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)

Project Objectives

Alignment of variety release policies in four Member States with SADC protocols

Alignment of seed certification policies in four Member States with SADC protocols

Alignment of phytosanitary policies in four Member States with SADC protocols

Strengthening of seed certification facilities (equipment).

Assessment of institutional and individual capacity needs, and capacity strengthening along the seed value chain.

Project Status

February 2010 - Official launch of the Project at Regional level in PretoriaMarch 2010 - Official launch of national project activities in MalawiMay 2010 - Common visioning regional planning meeting held in Johannesburg

FANRPAN Board Chairman with SDC Deputy Resident Director and the Swiss Deputy Ambassador at the official launch in Pretoria

National Planning Workshops

CountryDateOfficial Opening

Zimbabwe30 June 2 July 2010Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Mechanisation: Mr N. Masoka

Zambia14-16 July 2010Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives: Mr A.K. Banda

Swaziland28-30 July 2010Minister of Agriculture: Mr C. Dlamini

Malawi4-6 August 2010The Controller of Agriculture, Extension and Technical Services: Dr J. Luhanga

Committee of HaSSP Seed EldersFANRPAN has constituted a committee of seed elders which provides support to the project. Membership of the committee comprises :Former Ministers and Permanent Secretaries from the project countries.Members of the Private Sector who are champions on seed issues;Experienced farmers and researchers.

TORsSeed Elders provide strategic guidance and oversight to the HaSSP Project. Advocacy support to ensure HaSSP contributes to regional integration. Resolve conflicts between stakeholder groups.Resolve strategic or political challenges that may arise.

HaSSP Seed EldersZambia Seed Elder, Dr. S. MundiaMalawi Seed Elder, Mr. E. MusopleMalawi Seed Elder, Dr. E SibaleZambia Seed Elder, Mr. W. Chibasa

HaSSP Seed EldersZimbabwe Seed Elder, Dr. S MuchenaSwaziland Seed Elder, Mrs T GooddaySwaziland Seed Elder, Hon O DlaminiZimbabwe Seed Elder, Dr. L Mhlanga

Key Engagements

Engagement of SADC FANR Secretariat in the company of HaSSP Seed Elders (Gaborone) September 2010.Presentation of HaSSP at the technical meeting preceding the SADC Ministers of Agriculture Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia- November 2010.

FANRPAN HaSSP Seed Elders with SADC FANR Secretariat Director, Mme Nyirenda and Dr. Simon Mwale, Seeds Programme Officer

Seed Certification-A key area that HaSSP is focusing on is seed certification.Aim: To produce seed with a minimum acceptable genetic purity and specified physical quality in terms of germination, moisture and purity [standards are specified in legislation].

Adherence to seed certification procedures by seed growers is required in seed laws and is monitored during: Crop inspections in the field by govt. authorised seed inspectors, and Seed testing in the laboratory by govt. authorised seed analysts.

FANRPAN commissioned an audit of the seed certification institutions in the 4 pilot countries. The results of the audit will enable FANRPAN to identify institutional and human capacity gaps and training needs.BreedersCertified SeedBasic Seed

Seed certification audits

CountryMalawiSwazilandZambiaZimbabweNo. of satellite labs3050Amount of seed tested/year in MT20 0006 00055 00036 000LegislationTo amendTo amendTo amendTo amendStaffing levelsNot adequateNot adequateAdequateAdequateTrainingTraining neededNo training programRefresher courses needed.No training manuals

Seed certification audits (cont)

CountryMalawiSwazilandZambiaZimbabweOfficial labels, Certificates and SADC SealsNoneNoneNoneNoneElectronic data baseNoneNoneNoneNoneLab equipmentMost equipment is out-dated.

Ovens not working.Table germinators, incubation chambers, grinding mill and moisture meter.

Fume hood too smallSeed blower; table germinator, fume hood, andsieves. Germination chambers, andplanting substrate.

Purity analysis room too small.HandbooksISTA rulesNoneISTA rulesISTA rules

HaSSP Training workshopsParticipants of the Malawi M& E Workshop held in LilongweParticipants of the Zambia M& E Workshop held in KabweParticipants of the Swaziland DUS VCU Training WorkshopParticipants of the Zimbabwe DUS VCU Training Workshop

Capacity Building WorkshopsFarmers during seed production training in Kapiri Mposhi, ZambiaMs Chakanyuka (Seed Services Zimbabwe), training farmers in Zaka.Farmers during seed production training in Zaka, ZimbabweFarmers during seed production training in Shewula, Swaziland

Overview of Community seed enterprises

HaSSP Field DaysHaSSP Field Day in Zaka, ZimbabweHaSSP Field Day in Kampiri Mposhi , ZambiaHaSSP Field Day in Tubungu, SwazilandHaSSP Field Day in Mvera, Malawi

Scaling up of the Project

Tanzania and Mozambique have requested for assistance in domesticating the SADC seed protocol.

On 26 May 2011 FANRPAN received a formal request from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Mozambique expressing Mozambiques readiness to commence the domestication` of the SADC seed protocols and requested FANRPAN to link them with development partners.

Next Steps: 2011-2012

During the next year the focus will be on: Re-alignment of seed legislationRe-equipping of institutions: a) Procurement of small scale seed processing and storage equipment for smallholder seed producing communitiesb) Procurement of vehicles for seed certification institutes

Training will continue

Review and learning workshops.

Thank You

www.fanrpan.org

Funded by

Agricultural productivity ***********Mundia: Medical doctor, former PS of Agric, currently running an agro processing & packaging business. Chibasa: former director of research, former MD of ZAMSEED, currently a farmer. Musopole: Former Agric extension coordinator, worked for action aid, currently he is chairman CISANET. Sibale: Worked for dept of agic as maize breeder, currently working as a consultant for FAO *Goodday: Worked for Gov of Swaziland for 15 years, keen poultry producer and in 2008 she won Woman Farmer of the Year, Swaziland. Dlamini: Former PM of Swaziland, he is a farmer & currently he is an advisor to His Majesty King Mswati III Mhlanga: Worked for UN secretariat on Environment & Development conference, was involved ing the formation of ENDATIERMONDE. Muchena: Maize breeder, served as a deputy PS of Agric, currently he is Director of the African Center for Fertilizer Development (ACFD) *************