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Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP)
WORKSHOP REPORT
HaSSP SEED CERTIFICATION TRAINING WORKSHOP
27 – 29 March 2012, Maputo, Mozambique
Funded by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC)
Prepared by: E Goldschagg
Date of Report: 15 June, 2012
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Introduction
Seed Systems in southern African countries are diverse with little synchrony amongst states in
regulations and procedures. In order to develop and stimulate the seed sector, the harmonisation of
seed regulations has received much attention by various organisations in the last decade,
culminating in the SADC Seed Regulatory System agreed upon by the majority of SADC states in
2011. This framework for a harmonised seed system covers variety release, seed certification and
phytosanitary measures. Implementation of the SADC Seed System is now underway with SADC
establishing a Regional Seed Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. In addition to this, two donor-funded projects
are underway to compliment the activities of SADC. First, the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC) has funded the Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP) through FANRPAN to
pilot implementation of the SADC Seed Regulatory System in four countries, namely, Malawi,
Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In March 2012, HaSSP organised a Workshop on Seed Quality Control Training in Maputo,
Mozambique. This brought together seed specialists from the national seed units, NPPOs and private
seed companies to undergo training in seed certification, including seed sampling, seed testing and
field inspection methodology and to map out a way forward for implementing the SADC Seed
Certification. In addition, phytosanitary aspects were also looked at.
This report summarises the programme and outcome of the meeting.
1 Opening of the Workshop
The workshop was opened by an address by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Mr
Daniel Miguel Angelo Clemente. The important aspects of his speech is summarised in the Minutes
of the First session (Annex 1)
2 Objective of the Meeting
According to Dr Bellah Mpofu, the FANRPAN Project Coordinator, the objective of the workshops
was to capacitate participants to conduct valid seed sampling and field inspections, to validate the
HaSSP Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation study report, to demonstrate standardization materials
according to the SADC protocol on Seed Certification and Quality Assurance, and to sensitize
counterparts from Mozambique on the HaSSP project.
3 Summary of the Meeting Programme
The initial meeting programme had to be re-adjusted because of the late arrivals of some of the
presenters (Annex 2). Lectures were given on seed quality, seed sampling, methodologies for field
inspections, proficiency tests on seed testing, and standardization of certification material. In
addition, the HaSSP Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation study report was presented and discussed.
Representatives of the respective countries reported on progress made in their countries. The
meeting split into groups to formalize recommendations on gaps to be addressed by SADC to enable
full implementation of the system. The workshop was concluded by a field visit to the national Seed
Testing Laboratory of Mozambique.
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4 Composition of Participants
Thirty nine participants attended the meeting, primarily persons involved with seed certification and
testing from the Governmental Seed Services, as well as officers from the National Plant Protection
Organizations of the four pilot countries and Mozambique, three private seed company
representatives, three National Seed Organization representatives and a representative of the SADC
Seed Centre (Annex 1).
5 Summary of Sessions
Session 1
The minutes of the first session are provided (Annex 3). The first session was chaired by Mr Bruno
Araujo, the FANRPAN node for Mozambique and Mrs Grace Kaudzu was the rapporteur. He
mentioned the problems the region faced in food production and emphasized the importance of
the harmonization of seed systems in the respective countries and why the implementation
thereof was essential for food security in Southern Africa.
In the opening address by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Mozambique,
Mr Daniel Miguel Angelo Clemente welcomed all delegates to Mozambique and thanked
FANRPAN for choosing Maputo to host the workshop. He emphasized on the importance of
harmonization as a way of improving seed security in the region and that harmonizing seed
systems was in line with regional strategic plan. He confirmed that Mozambique has signed the
Memorandum of Understanding and hopes to learn from what FANRPAN and the four countries
are doing. Mozambique implemented strategic plan for agricultural sector, addressing challenges
of seed security and approved program for seed value chain and therefore requested the country
to advance implementation of the protocol. He indicated that Mozambique is ready to
domesticate the SADC protocol on seed.
In his key note address Gerrie Reitsma, General Manager of SANSOR, gave a historical overview
of the development seed quality control in South Africa. He also reported on the legislation
applicable to seed and summarised what each of the acts entailed. He also looked at the
organizational structure of the seed industry in South Africa and at the functions conducted by
SANSOR on behalf of government.
Mr Kalipochi Kawonga of the SADC Seed Centre reported that the SADC Seed centre was
established and that an inaugural workshop was held in November 2012. The outline of his
presentation is attached as Annex 7.
Dr Bellah Mpofu of FANRPAN updated the meeting on the HaSSP Programme and FANRPAN
activities and objectives. She also informed the participants on the objective of this workshop –
Annex 8.
Eddie Goldschagg, Technical Manager of SANSOR did a presentation on seed quality, including
the components thereof, factors that will affect seed quality, quality assurance systems and
testing for quality. Annex 9.
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Session 2
This session was chaired by Dr Claid Mujaju, Head of Seed Services in Zimbabwe and Mrs Brenda
Mweemba was the rapporteur – see the minutes attached as Annex 4. The whole of the
afternoon was taken up by theoretical training on seed sampling by Eddie Goldschagg. He started
of his lectures by a sampling exercise whereby participants sampled a mixture of different
coloured sugar packets, representing seeds, from envelopes, representing seed bags. The
purpose of this exercise was to demonstrate to the participants that in order to get a
representative sample of a seed lot, several samples needs to be taken from the seed lot. This
was followed by a series of slides that were presented to explain to the participants how to take a
representative sample and why the various methods were used. (Annex 10)
Session 3
This session was chaired by Mr Similo Mavinbela and minutes were taken by Mrs Mable M.
Simwanza – see the minutes attached as Annex 5. In the first presentation on Seed Testing by
Pamela Strauss of the Official Seed testing Laboratory of South Africa, the importance of
standardization of seed testing by the various laboratories and how to attain it, was highlighted.
Training needs were identified and the way forward on identification of other seeds was
suggested. (Annex 11)
In second presentation of the session Eddie Goldschagg covered field methodologies for seed
certification, starting from the registration of the seed units through field inspections to issuance
of official certificates. (Annex 12)
In the final presentation of the session Arundel Sakala and Mishek Soko reported on the findings
of the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation in the four pilot countries. According to the report
harmonization of the national pests lists with the SADC list has not been fully implemented.
Capacity for both personnel and equipment was still needed to implement the system effectively.
Session 4
The fourth session was chaired by Mr Shingirayi Nyamutukwa and Mr Wilson Chafutsa was the
rapporteur – see the minutes attached as Annex 6. The session was dedicated to national
progress reports of the four pilot countries for both seed certification and Quarantine and
Phytosanitary Measures. The respective progress reports are attached as follows:
Annex 13: National Status: Seed Certification and Quality Assurance – Malawi
Annex 14: National Status: Seed Certification and Quality Assurance – Zambia
Annex 15: National Status: Seed Certification and Quality Assurance – Zimbabwe
Annex 16: National Status: Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures – Malawi
Annex 17: National Status: Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures – Swaziland
Annex 18: National Status: Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures – Zambia
Annex 19: National Status: Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures – Zimbabwe
During the last part of the afternoon groups were formed to discuss gaps to be addressed by
SADC to enable full implementation of the system, for feedback the following day.
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Session 5
This session was chaired by Mr Felix Jumbe and the rapporteur was Mrs Louisa Makumbe. No
minutes were received for this session. Feedback was given on the group work conducted the
previous afternoon. The recommendations by the groups are attached as Annex 20.
This was followed by a joint presentation by Pamela Strauss and Obed Selekane Phaladira, both
of the Official Seed testing Laboratory of South Africa on recommendations on ISTA and
Proficiency testing.
A label manufacturer from South Africa displayed examples of seed certification labels supplied
to the South African National Designated Authority. Unfortunately, a dedicated printer used for
printing these labels could not be shown to the participants as it was detained by customs at the
airport as a result of miscommunication between the agent and customs. At the same time Eddie
Goldschagg did a presentation on the importance of harmonization of SADC Certification labels
and seals and recommended a system the countries should follow.
On the final afternoon of the workshop the participants visited the National Seed Testing
Laboratory in Maputo.
6 Conclusions and Recommendations
In general the meeting provided a good forum to discuss the present certification systems in the
four pilot countries and to map out a general strategy for implementation to begin. The main
gaps what still needed to done regarding certification and seed testing were identified, and
essential requirements for implementation established. The senior officials involved with seed
certification were sensitized on the training needed in their countries what needed to be done to
standardize procedures in the SADC region. As far as phytosanitary aspects were concerned, the
findings of the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation in the four pilot countries were discussed and
the way forward mapped.
The active participation of participants at the meeting clearly showed that at the technical level
there is a keen interest in and willingness to implement the SADC Seed Certification System, as
well as the Phytosanitary and quarantine measures for seed. The training should be extended to
the respective countries – this was already on the working programme of the consultants
contacted by FANRPAN for this purpose. All in all, implementation of the system, as far
certification is concerned, is within reach in three of the four pilot countries and should they be
able to start certifying seed as soon as the SADC Seed Centre is functioning adequately, with the
Regional Catalogue still a stumbling block, as only varieties listed in the Catalogue may be
certified according to the System.
7 Workshop evaluation
The workshop evaluation report was not received.
8 Closing of the workshop
Mr Gerrie Reitsma closed the workshop with a vote of thanks to participants and organisers and
to Mozambique for hosting the workshop, expressing his wish that the System would be up and
running by the target date, at least for the four pilot countries concerned.
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Annex 1:
List of Participants
No Name Designation Organization Country Email Cell Number
1. Jose Filipe Seed Inspector Ministry of Agriculture Mozambique [email protected] +258 82 3960 298
2. Hewuigu Mozovile SEMOC Seed Company Mozambique [email protected] + 258 0114 210
3. Alden Mathe Mozam Seed Company Mozambique [email protected] +258 843 927 438
4. Dr. Bellah Mpofu Programme Manager FANRPAN South Africa [email protected] +27 82 720 2465
5. Sipiwe Mapanda Programme Assistant FANRPAN South Africa [email protected] +27 82 375 9506
6. Pamela Strauss Control Scientific Technician DAFF South Africa [email protected] +27 12 808 5052
7. Obed Phahladira Scientific Technician DAFF South Africa [email protected] +27 12 808 5052
8. Gerrie Reitsma GM SANSOR South Africa [email protected] +27 12 349 0060
9. Bruno Araujo FANRPAN Node Mozambique [email protected] +258 823 255 280
10. Kawonga Kalipochi Coordinator SADC Seed Centre Zambia [email protected] +260 975539892
11. Tirivacho Vushemasimba Quality Assurance Manager Seed Co Zimbabwe Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 712 870 540
12. Elsa Timane Seed Department Mozambique [email protected] +258 82 47 40810
13. Wilson Chafutsa Seed Inspector Seed Service Unit Malawi [email protected] +256 999 644 840
14. Christopher Mthethwa Officer in Charge SQCS Swaziland [email protected] +268 76055866
15. Claid Mujaju D/Director Div - Head Seed Services Seed Services Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 712 611 765
16. Antonia Vaz Plant health inspector DNSA Mozambique [email protected] +258 827 137 384
17. Sandile Makama Seed Inspector Ministry of Agriculture Swaziland [email protected] +268 760 81006
18. Similo Mavimbela Officer in Charge Ministry of Agriculture Swaziland [email protected] + 268 760 50780
19. Rita Grachane Seed Department Mozambique [email protected] +258 823957340
20. Ficoucua Matsiube Seed Department Mozambique +258 8288 38170
21. Throne Mbundungu Seed Officer Ministry of Agriculture Malawi [email protected] +265 999 252 888
22. Grace Kaudzu Seed Officer Ministry of Agriculture Malawi [email protected] +265 999 350 512
23. Mable M. Simwanza Chief Seed Officer Ministry of Agriculture Zambia [email protected] +260 977 783943
24. Praxedis Dube Seed Technologist Ministry of Agriculture Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 733 383 510
25. Shingirayi Nyamutukwa Plant Quarantine Research Officer Ministry of Agriculture Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 772 868 804
26. Louisa Makumbe Principal Plant Quarantine Research Officer
Ministry of Agriculture Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 772 675 986
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27. Necia Mutangabende Seed Analyst Technician Ministry of Agriculture - Seed Services
Zimbabwe [email protected] +263 772 989 164
28. Brenda Mweemba Technical Research Assistant MAL Zambia [email protected] +260 977 256 902
Misheck Soko Chief Scientist Agriculture Research Malawi [email protected] + 265 9999 58122
29. Godfrey Kambale Senior Scientist Agriculture Research Malawi [email protected] +265 9999 46608
30. Steven Mponda Plant Health Inspector Agriculture Research Malawi [email protected] +265 88850 7630
31. Eddie Goldschagg Technical Manager SANSOR South Africa [email protected] +27 82 787 1593
32. Lucas Uamusse Plant Quarantine Inspector Ministry of Agriculture Mozambique [email protected] +258 825 454 820
33. Ledcadio Goncalve Seed Inspector Ministry of Agriculture Mozambique [email protected] +258 827 169 140
34. Thokozile Sibanyoni Seed analyst SQCS Swaziland [email protected] +268 760 54699
35. Felix Jumbe STAM Secretary STAM Malawi [email protected] +265 9999 11556
36. Arundel Sakala Principal Research Officer PQPS- MAL Zambia [email protected] +260 955 661 829
37. Lutea Magaia Manager Lozane Farms Mozambique [email protected] +258 82 339 730
38. Patrick Ncube Seed Inspector SCCI Min of Agriculture Livestock
Zambia [email protected] +260 979 904 197
39. Francis Malasha Seed Inspector SCCI Min of Agriculture Livestock
Zambia [email protected] +260 979 432 458
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ANNEX 2:
Programme HaSSP Regional Seed Quality Training workshop 27– 29 March 2012
VIP Hotel – Maputo, Mozambique
Tuesday 27 March, 2012
08:00 – 08:30 Registration – Sipiwe Mapanda
SESSION 1: Chairman: Mr Bruno Araujo Rapporteur: Mrs Grace Kaudzu
08:30 – 08:40 Welcome – FANRPAN Node 08:40 – 08:50 Introductions and Workshop expectations 08:50 – 09:20 Opening Address – Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Mr Daniel Miguel Angelo Clemente 09:20 – 09:50 Key Note address – Gerrie Reitsma 09:50 – 10:20 SADC Seed Centre – Mr Kalipochi Kawonga 10:20 – 10:30 Discussion 10:30 – 11:10 TEA BREAK and Group Photograph 11:10 – 11:30 HaSSP update and objectives of the workshop – Dr B. Mpofu (FANRPAN) 11:30 – 12:30 Seed quality – SANSOR 12:30 – 13:00 Discussion 13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH Session 2: Chairperson – Dr Claid Mujaju Rapporteur – Mrs Brenda Mweemba 14:00 – 15:00 Seed sampling exercise – SANSOR 15:00 – 15:30 TEA BREAK 15:30 – 17:30 Seed Sampling - SANSOR Wednesday 27 March, 2012
Session 3: Chairperson – Mr Similo Mavimbela Rapporteur – Mrs Mable Simwanza 08:30 – 10:30 Seed Testing - Pamela Strauss 10:30 – 11:00 TEA BREAK 11:00 – 11:40 Field methodology – SANSOR 11:40 – 13:00 PCE study report – Arundel Sakala and Misheck Soko 13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH Session 4: Chairperson – Mr Shingirayi Nyamutukwa Rapporteur – Mr Wilson Chafutsa 14:00 – 14:45 National progress reports – Seed Certification Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia & Zimbabwe Discussion 14:45 – 15:30 National progress reports – Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia & Zimbabwe Discussion 16:00 – 17:00 Group work: Gaps to be addressed by SADC to enable full implementation of the
system
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Thursday 27 March, 2012
Session 5: Chairperson – Mr Felix Jumbe Rapporteur – Mrs Louisa Makumbe 08:30 – 09:00 Group work – Response from SADC Seed Centre 09:00 – 10:00 ISTA/ Proficiency tests – Pamela Strauss and Obed Selekane Phahladira 10:00 – 10:30 Discussion 10:30 – 11:00 TEA BREAK 11:00 – 12:30 Standardization materials – SANSOR 12:30 – 13:00 Discussion Workshop evaluation Closing remarks 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 17:00 Field Visit
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ANNEX 3: MINUTES OF THE FIRST SESSION
Proceedings reported by Grace Kaudzu Session 1: Opening, Key note address and SADC Seed Center presentations 1.1. Opening Remarks: Mr Bruno Araujo – FANRPAN Node, Mozambique The workshop started with opening remarks by Mr Bruno Araujo from FANRPAN Node, Mozambique, who chaired the first session of the workshop. In his remarks he briefly talked about the constraints that agriculture is currently facing such as low productivity and natural disasters that make agriculture very insecure and negatively affect agricultural productivity. To this end the Node chair pointed out that high quality seed is key to improve production. Seed should therefore be affordable by farmers and this can be made possible by harmonizing the seed systems in the region. Harmonization of seed systems will increase seed markets thereby increasing establishment of seed companies and therefore more seed at an affordable price. The FANRPAN node Chair wished the meeting good discussions and encouraged participants to contribute and make recommendations for increased agriculture production. 1.2. Opening address: Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture – Mr Daniel Miguel Angelo
Clemente The guest of honour welcomed all delegates to Maputo and thanked FANRPAN for choosing Maputo to host the workshop. He indicated that it was a pleasure for Maputo to host the training workshops on regional seed quality workshop in Harmonized Seed Security Project. He reiterated that SADC recognizes agriculture for development of nations and the region. More than 70% of population in the region depends on agriculture for food security, income generation and all this depends on seed. Work that has been undertaken by SADC emphasizes on improving availability of seed in the region to alleviate poverty. In recognizing this fact, SADC approved a proposal on harmonizing seed systems in the region at a meeting of ministers that took place in Maputo in 2005. The proposal was on three main areas including the SADC variety release system, the SADC seed certification and quality assurance system and the SADC quarantine and Phytosanitary measures for seed to facilitate trans boundary movement of seed in the region. The objective of harmonization and its implementation is to grant seed security and finally food security at regional level, improve seed availability through implementation of the agreements at regional level, improve development of the seed sector, improve availability of improved varieties and timely availability of seed in the region. He emphasized on the importance of harmonization as a way of improving seed security in the region. The region should realize that harmonizing seed systems was in line with regional strategic plan. The guest of honour indicated that he agreed with what the proposal expressed on the need to implement the protocols which has a high potential of improving movement of quality seed in the region and improve access to seed by farmers. In support of these efforts, SDC committed USD4 Million to implement the protocol in 4 countries through FANRPAN. The Ministry of Agriculture in Mozambique appreciates this effort and to that effect Mozambique signed the Memorandum of Understanding and hopes to learn from what FANRPAN and the four countries are doing. He hopes that FANRPAN will increase participation and Mozambique will be included. Mozambique implemented strategic plan for agricultural sector, addressing challenges of seed security and approved program for seed value chain and therefore requested the country to advance implementation of the protocol. He indicated that Mozambique is ready to domesticate the SADC protocol on seed. He hoped that the meeting would not discuss seed aid as that was an old version but discuss ways of implementing the protocol in the region. Finally the guest of honour wished all delegates a good meeting and stay in Maputo and hoped that during the meeting, at least one seed producer should be visited. The training workshop was then officially opened.
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1.3 Key note address: Evolution of seed quality and control in South Africa – Gerrie Reitsma The presentation highlighted the following; Acts relevant to seed quality in South Africa and included the following; Plant improvement Act of 1976 Plant breeders Act of 1979 1.4 Presentation on the SADC Seed Centre: Mr Kalipochi Kawonga The presentation highlighted the importance of the SADC seed regulatory system and progress made so far. Worth noting were the regional inception workshop that took place in Lusaka in November 2011 and emphasized on variety protection and its importance for full implementation of the system for the region. On seed database for the region, the presenter indicated that the SADC secretariat has a database that needs to be transformed into web-based database. All member countries will be able to view data but only the administration of the seed center and the respective country will be able to edit their data. However the challenge is that there is missing data in the database especially on DUS and encouraged member countries to supply the center with such data. On what need to be done to implement the system, the presenter indicated that the challenge now is that some countries have not yet signed the MOU. He encouraged members to put in domestic efforts so that the protocol is domesticated at national level and then can successfully be implemented at regional level. The presentation ended by presenting on the future plans of the center and worth noting was the regional plant variety protection (PVP) bill that is being developed by SADC. 1.5 Discussion: A question arose on what would happen with those countries that have their own PVP bills and acts in the face of the regional PVP being drafted. Clarification was sought on whether countries will have to leave their PVP and adopt the regional one. In response the presenter indicated that countries will have their own PVP in place for protection of their varieties in the region but the regional one will assist the region to apply for membership to UPOV and also protect countries that do not have PVP in place at regional level. In connection with this, an issue was raised on whether SADC was in touch with ARIPO since the organization is also developing a regional PVP and is at an advanced stage such that the SADC region can learn on the challenges that the organization faced and how they can be avoided. Another issues arose on whether the database will be demonstrated to member states since its based on the Iowa State University database and although it is good for registering of varieties and even for variety release, its application to the region could be questionable. In reacting to this, the presenter emphasized that the system is good and can be applicable to the region. In connection to this a point was raised on missing data on traits in the SADC database and in reaction it was indicated that public and private breeders in member countries should be encouraged to provide the information. On member states that have not yet signed the MOU, a question was raised on how the countries that have not yet signed will sign the MOU since it was difficult for countries that have signed up until it was physically taken to respective countries. In reaction the presenter indicated that every effort will be taken to ensure that member states that have not signed sign the MOU and encouraged countries to play their part in convincing authorities to sign by enlightening them on its importance. On the graphs that were presented by Mr Kawonga, they showed that improving agriculture has a bearing on improving human nutrition and mortality rate in the region. A comment was however raised that it is not good to generalize that for all countries agriculture has been the vehicle for economic development in the region.
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For instance, in Mauritius tourism contribute a lot to their economic development and for Seychelles commercial sugarcane production together with tourism have been instrumental for their economic development. A point was raised that it should be born in mind that registration of varieties in the region that it takes a lot of resources just like at national level. On Gerrie Reitsma’s presentation, a question was raised on whether prohibited weed seeds are prohibited in the field or seed lot. In response it was indicated that it is prohibited in the seed lot only. However, the weeds should be controlled if it occurs in the field so that it does not mix with the seed lot. Clarification was also sought on the role SANSOR play in community seed production programs in South Africa. In response, it was indicated that SANSOR conducts training of community seed inspectors to ensure production of high quality seed. Their messages go to all sectors in agriculture. 1.6. HaSSP update and objectives of the workshop – Dr B. Mpofu The presentation highlighted on the following;
Introduction to HaSSP
Goal
Purpose and Objective of HaSSP
Objectives of the workshop
Progress
Scaling up of the project
Mid-term review
Planned activities The presentations indicated that vehicles for all pilot countries have been procured but there is money that is still available and countries were encouraged to motivate for what they want to do with the money. On scaling up of the project, it was indicated in the presentation that Tanzania and Mozambique approached FANRPAN and expressed interest to be part of the pilot project. On this FANRPAN is discussing with the donors and the two countries could be brought on board soon. Under planned activities, a point was raised on seed inspectors theory course to be conducted within the year that practicals are also important and should therefore be considered. 1.7. Presentation on seed quality – Eddie Goldschagg The presentation highlighted the following; Definition of quality and seed quality Components of seed quality Advantages of certification Certification procedure 1.8. Discussion: A question was raised on how SANSOR gets the trust for private sector to do certification of seed for them. In response, it was indicated that the system is monitored through auditing the field inspections, seed lots grow out and post controls. This is also done by government seed inspectors and this is mainly done on 10% of the fields and seed lots.
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Another question was raised on whether SANSOR samplers are ISTA accredited since ISTA looks at sampling and testing. In response, it was indicated that there are government seed samplers who do sampling of seed for OIC’s and they are ISTA accredited. However, SANSOR also use ISTA rules for seed sampling. A comment was made on developing capacity for testing seed at genetic level as most of the countries have no capacity apart from some seed companies. In reaction to the comment, it was indicated that the test is not used officially in South Africa. A question was raised on the existence of illegal seed traders who sale uncertified seed and the proportion of seed if available in South Africa. In response, it was indicated that certification in SA is voluntary except for some crop varieties. The rule is seed should not be sold under a wrong variety name and there are minimum standards that uncertified seed has to meet.
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ANNEX 4: MINUTES OF THE SECOND SESSION Proceedings reported by Mrs Brenda Mweemba
Sampling Procedure by Eddie Goldschagg (SANSOR)
Mr Goldchagg gave an introduction to sampling and mentioned that it’s a fundamental stage in seed
testing according to the ISTA hand book. It was made clear that a suitable sample should be
collected for testing. The sampler must be specialised and authorised to do the sampling.
The facilitator explained the meaning for the two seed lot certificates issued in seed testing i.e
Orange (OIC) and Blue International Certificates (BIC) was explained to the participants. He also
went through the definitions of common words used in seed testing among them were; Seed lot,
Primary sample, Composite sample, Submitted sample, Duplicate sample and Seed sampling flow
chart
It was also emphasised that enough samples should be collected to carter for the duplicate sample
though in case the sample is still not enough the sampler has to go back and get the sample exactly
on the same spots as the primary sample was collected.
The facilitator made it clear that there is no specific height for the stacking but it shouldn’t be more
than three meters and that the client should leave enough space between stacks for inspectors to
pass through. The sampler is advised to capture the necessary information that will be marked on
the seals. Sampling should be done from different parts of the stack. The sampling intensity was
also covered; the number of primary samples depends on the quantity and participants were made
to do exercises for better understanding.
After sampling the owner can seal the bag in the presence of the sampler. The participants were
also made to understand the sampling methods which include hand methods e.g. use of triers. With
convincive examples it was noted that only the normal trier is allowed for sampling by ISTA as the
others have a disadvantage on the sample. Other techniques were also highlighted that include
mechanical samplers. During the actual testing equipment should be calibrated for quality results.
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ANNEX 5: MINUTES OF THE THIRD SESSION Proceedings reported by Mable M. Simwanza (Mrs.)
INTRODUCTION Three presentations on the following issues were made in this session:
Seed Testing by Pamela Strauss
Field (Seeds certification) Methodologies.
Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) report
SEED TESTING During the presentation on seed testing, issues to do with why standardization in seed testing is important, need for continuous training in seed testing methodologies, proficiency testing and need for quality assurance systems were highlighted.
Training needs identified for laboratories in pilot countries include the following: - Other seed identification - Vigour tests - Seed health testing - Management of laboratories - Development and implementation of Quality Assurance System
On ‘Other seed Determination’ test, the following was suggested as the way forward:
- Increase PT in the region - PT specifically on seed identification (small packet of seed) - Include seeds from temperate region that are not known in Africa - Conduct training specifically on other seed determination - Collect samples of species on the Universal list - Make use of Electronic photographs - Update and maintain seed collections regularly
Other issues agreed upon include the following:
Zambia to take lead in a survey on seed testing activities in the four pilot countries, including Mozambique
Individual laboratory to submit equipment inventory to Zimbabwe Seed Services for consolidation and onward transmission to SA official seed testing laboratory.
Questions, suggestions and comments
Seed identification has been a problem in all the four pilot countries. It was proposed that
probably the official seed testing laboratory in South Africa could assist in this area because
their institution has experienced Taxonomist. However, the response was that the proposal
might not be feasible as the SA laboratory has its own challenges.
It was felt that there is need to know the areas in which these countries are weakest and
should focus to improve on the weak areas.
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There was also a felt need to identify the strengths of these countries and promote
exchange visits in order to learn from one another.
It was noted that some countries have a challenge in that their institutions are experiencing
high staff turnover and will require regular training.
The participants were encouraged to make use of available technologies and infrastructure
at hand to do training. What is important is to get the laboratories functional first and then
tackle the challenges.
FIELD (SEED CERTIFICATION) METHODOLOGY The second presentation on field methodologies covered the process of seed certification which includes registration of seed units, field inspections, processing of seed, issuance of official certificates and post control and what aspects are controlled during the process.
Questions, suggestions and comments after the three presentations
The question was posed on isolation distances in cultivated and wild sorghum. The response
was that isolation distances recommended should apply for all types of sorghum
On post control, a question was raised on what kind of data is collected. Participants were
informed that the data collected is based on UPOV guidelines.
A question was posed on how the issue of pest found while the crop is growing in the field
and pests found dead in the consignment is treated in South Africa or how it can be handled
during seed trade. The response was that the consignment should be free from pests and
diseases.
It was brought to the attention of the meeting that some weeds are prohibited in some
SADC countries while allowed in other SADC countries. The Seed Centre was tasked to take
lead to harmonize prohibited weeds in SADC countries.
PHYTOSANITARY CAPACITY EVALUATION (PCE) STUDY REPORT The third presentation was a report on the findings of the PCE conducted in the four pilot countries. The findings included the following:
The economies of Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe are agricultural-based, with
seed as the main input. Seed therefore determines the level of production, productivity,
and consequently determining food security at household, national and regional level.
Trade in seed is usually restricted by different pieces of legislations, with phytosanitary
measures being the main ones.
The countries under review have a diverse range of constrains in their phytosanitary
capacities with some having advances more than others. However one aspect that is
common is that all the countries are taking strides to improve their legal frameworks (Acts)
through reviews.
All pilot countries use relevant documentations as prescribed by the SPS Annex to the SADC
protocol on Trade and the IPPC the international standard setting body for phytosanitary
and quarantine measures.
Harmonization of national pest lists with the SADC list has not been fully implemented, and
only Zambia has started the process with Swaziland planning to adopt the full list.
17
The phytosanitary inspection in seed remains a challenge because of lack of in-country
coordination and resource allocation systems in place, which is to the disadvantage of the
farmers. The Seed certification system in place in all countries does not provide for
revolving of proceeds from inspection fees.
The most important capacities that need to be built for effective performance are in relation
to human (inspectors, diagnosticians) infrastructural/equipment (ICT, lab equipment).
Countries need to be fully engaged in the harmonization of their policies to the SADC
protocol, more so because they accented to the protocol. The pest list and documentation
are paramount.
Questions, suggestions and comments after the three presentations
A question was posed as to why some countries are not undertaking Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)
and the response was that there is lack of experts in this area in these countries.
Participants wanted to know the scale of scores during the PCE. The answer to this one was
the following:
1 – Nothing in place or non –confirming
5 - Fully compliant
A question was asked on whether there was a minimum set of standards before the audit
was conducted. The answer was that PCE tool was used.
A clarification was sort on what exactly should be the NPPO. Responses were that,
according to IPPC, countries need to create NPPOs that are autonomous, open and
transparent. NPPOs should be individual and regulatory entities that should have their own
funding. It was further mentioned that Zambia is in progress of having NPPO independent.
18
ANNEX 6: MINUTES OF THE FOURTH SESSION Proceedings reported by Wilson Chafutsa The session consisted of national Progress reports on seed certification from Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Then National Progress Reports on Quarantine and Phytosanitary measures from the same countries.
Discussions on country progress reports
1. Why did Malawi not issue any OICs during the 2011 year? Does that mean that Malawi is not
exporting seed?
The question was referred to the representative from the private sector in Malawi. He said
that there were no orders from international market; therefore no seed was exported from
Malawi during that year.
2. It is seen that a lot of tonnage was tested in South Africa, how much do you charge per
sample?
There are four mandatory tests per sample. The charge is 2 US Dollar per tests, making a
total of 8 USD per sample.
3. Using the company’s resources such as vehicles, for inspection, leads to compromise on
quality?
Zambia assured the house that compromise has not been there for using the company’s
resources. But stressed that this is not a health situation for field inspections.
4. Zambia said only 46% was effected inspected what happened to the 54% that was not
inspected?
Effective inspection means being inspected for at least three times. So it is only 46% that
was inspected at least three times and the 54% was inspected less than that but all the seed
was certified.
Discussion on Phytosanitary progress reports
5. The Phytosanitary team was asked if they work together with seed services units to which
they said they do.
6. It was observed that Malawi report was off track in some areas, they were advised to redo
and resubmit it.
7. Malawi Phytosanitary team was asked if they carry out crop inspection and they replied that
they do not remember when they last inspected a crop. They can do it if the importing side
has indicated that it will only import the crop that has been inspected by the Phytosanitary
team.
Zambia reported that they ask those companies that will export seed that year and
Phytosanitary inspection is carried out.
8. The house wanted to know where Malawi is in terms of harmonization. It was reported that
they are still reviewing the legislation and they are at an advanced stage.
9. The house wanted to know why countries can’t do pest Risk analysis. It was observed that
most countries can’t do it because of brain drain and it takes a lot of time to do it. It was
suggested that there is a need to join forces with universities to do PRA.
19
10. Is there a specific group in Zambia that conducts PRA?
The reply was that there used to be a group that carried out PRA but now it is not possible
for this group to meet and carry out PRA. The challenge is the number of experts that are
available to do it.
11. Malawi reported that there is a lot of forgery for Phytosanitary certificates. It was observed
that sometimes government protocols for exporters to get such documents leaves a lot to
be desired. Sometimes the duty of issuing these documents is left in the hands of one officer
who is never in his office. If such duties are not personalized, the cost of waiting of such
documents can be reduced. Proper costing was also seen to contribute to forgery.
12. On PRAs it was observed that SADC under food safety organized training on the same.
Zimbabwe and, Mozambique were in attendance. But the challenge with most training is
that those who are trained fail to pass the information to downward people.
13. It was observed that these two critical organizations; National Seed Authority and the
National Plant protection should work in harmony if seed exports are to be successful. It
was also observed that in most countries it is very difficult to detach the NSA in anything
that has to do with seed. The NSA was advised to partner with the NPPO even in checking
the OICs
14. It was observed that since the NPPO deals with trade, there is a need to fix the organization.
PRA is very important and Phytosanitary certificates should not be waited for, for too long.
Then three groups were formed to look at different things.
Group 1; looked at Phytosanitary issues, group 2 on proficiency tests and gaps in the
SADC Protocols. What these three groups came up with was discussed the following day
and Mrs. Louisa Makumbe was the Rapporteur. These minutes was not received by the
compiler of the final report.
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ANNEX 7: SADC SEED CENTRE: UPDATE ON THE ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE PLANS - Kawonga K.C.
What Is the Seed Centre?
It is a specialized organ of SADC
Set up through Signing of an MOU by SADC Member States
Based at SADC Plant Genetic Resource Centre (SPGRC), Lusaka
Started its operations in August Last year with
Appointment of an Interim Coordinator
Primarily set up to coordinate the implementation of the harmonized seed regulatory system (HSRS) in Member States
Functions of the Seed Centre
Coordinate the implementation of the harmonised seed regulatory system (HSRS) in the SADC Region
Managing Regional variety release and maintenance of variety catalogue; Seed certification and Quality Ctrl; and Phytosanitary Measures
Collate and publish seed information
Production of basic seed – especially of public varieties
Disaster preparedness for seed
Advise SADC Secretariat on seed issues
maintain records and develop training requirements for Inspectors, Samplers, Analysts and seed testing laboratories designated by Member States to operate the System.
What is the Harmonised Seed Regulatory System?
Technical Agreement among the SADC Members States covering:
Regional Variety Release Scheme
Seed Certification and Quality Control**
Phytosanitary Standards o Plant Breeders Rights?
**SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System
Use of common: o Terminologies o Certification scheme o Standards o Procedures o Seals and labels
Benefits:
Will result in efficient movement of seed
No re-testing required by importing country SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System
The purpose of the Seed Quality Control is to assure clients of the highest quality of the test and/or results generated by the Seed certification Laboratory/Process.
What is key is that ALL activities, personnel and laboratory tests Must be such that will do their part to produce credible results at all times.
21
Progress: Summary of activities
The following performance objectives:
Effective and efficient SADC-HSRS domesticated and implemented by Member States
Institutional arrangements for sustainable implementation of program components and activities.
Provide regular information for seed security to seed stakeholders in the SADC region.
Enhanced national capacity for improved seed multiplication, production, distribution/marketing and storage
Effective and Efficient HSRS Domesticated and Implemented by Member States Convene a regional inception workshop and planning meeting
o Attended: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
o Have zero draft of the strategic plan
Aligning of national seed legislations to the HSRS.
Plant variety protection at regional level o Some MS have Plant Variety protection o The current draft need to be reviewed
Institutional arrangements for sustainable implementation of program components and activities
Hosting Agreement: Necessary for the legal registration on the Establishment of the SADC Seed Centre as an organ of SADC In Zambia.
The Secretariat is drafting this document and is to be tabled for negotiation with the hosting country.
Provide Regular Information for Seed Security to Stakeholders in the Region Plant variety catalogue
o The status is SADC Secretariat holds data base of seed varieties released in Member States.
o Want to transform this data into web-based o And MS input data directly into the web o Currently: On a, o The ILRI vs Iowa State University data base platforms
Example of benefit of HSRS Released in 2 Member States rule will reduce time & investment on Variety testing costs
22
Awareness creation on establishment of SADC Seed Center
(http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=33813;
(http://www.newsnook.co.za/ArticleComment.aspx?id=681163)).
(http://www.maravipost.com/business-and-development/development/6198-sout...;
(http://www.trademarksa.org/news/southern-africa-addresses-regional-seed-supply-
challenges)
(http://zambianeye.com/?p=631).
What needed to be done?
To implement the HSRS, we still encourage o MS to sign the MOU o MS must speed up Aligning Seed laws to the HSRS as Agreed o Seed companies must come on board to push the process to move faster.
Note that the Implementation of the HSRS is Regional development issue that from 2004 (SSSN) we believed improving seed quality would improve Agric productivity Reduce/Eradicate poverty (Malnutrition, child mortality)
Cast the Vision of Our Regional Development
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
30.5
12.5
31.1
19.8 22 23.7 24
10.3
21.8 20 17.2
41.9
22.9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
AG
O
BW
A
DR
C
LSO
MW
I
MO
Z
NA
M
SWZ
TZA
ZMB
ZWE
MG
Ave
rage
Ch
ildre
n u
nd
ern
auri
she
d (
%)
SADC Member States
1990-94
2000-2004
260
124
205
132 120
14
138
61
13
69
164
118
182
107 115 121.5
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
AG
O
BW
I
DR
C
LSO
MW
I
MU
S
MO
Z
NA
M
SYC
ZAF
SWZ
TZA
ZMB
ZWE
MG
Mea
n
Ch
ild m
ort
alit
y ra
te/1
00
0 li
ve
bir
ths
SADC Member States
1990
2006
23
From the Above Stats
With respect to MDGs Indicators, show that the region needed to do better to attain the MDGs.
We (Seed sector) believe that improving seed quality will improve Agric productivity and thereby contribute to reducing poverty and hunger in the Region
Then inertia in Signing the MOU (those who haven't to date) and aligning the Seeds laws can be overcome
We the technocrat have the conviction and convincing to do to our politicians
WE Learn from Harrod-Domar Model
That development starts from the mobilisation of domestic (National) and foreign saving (ICPs’ AID) in order to generate sufficient investment to accelerate economic growth.
Then Add: labor force growth (# & Skill) and technological progress (Our Part as seed quality plays).
It means the change we want to get ought to start with domestic efforts.
Future Plans
Want to see that: o All Member States to align their national seed legislations to the HSRS. o All MS to sign the HSRS o Engage consultant to review the Draft Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants
(Plant Breeders’ Rights)
Convene two regional consultative workshops on new plant variety protection
Establish a web-based released variety catalogue and populate the catalogue for varieties eligible for regional listing
Hold technical meeting to train National Seed Authorities on inputting of data on the regional variety data base platform.
Hosting Agreement – The Secretariat is drafting the agreement
Regional Staff recruitment
Conclusion
The implementation of the HSRS has began with the Establishment of the Seed Centre in Lusaka
MS align your seed laws to the HSRS
Seed companies push the process, prepare your application, support the Centre’s financial sustainability
Acknowledgement
On behalf of the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Member States and indeed on my own behalf I wish to thank USAID and SDC for providing the ‘Seed Money’ toward the establishment of the SADC Seed Centre.
24
ANNEX 8: HASSP UPDATE & SEED QUALITY TRAINING WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES – Dr Bellah Mpofu
The Harmonized Seed Security Project (HaSSP)
FANRPAN is conducting a pilot project to ensure that the regional protocol on seed
policy harmonization is domesticated and implemented in order to benefit farmers.
Project Purpose: Domesticating and implementing the SADC Harmonised Seed
Regulatory System in four pilot countries
Malawi, 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)
Budget: CHF3, 580, 158.
Funding: Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)
Project Objectives
Project Objectives
Alignment of variety release policies;
Alignment of seed certification policies; and
Alignment of phytosanitary policies in four Member States with SADC protocols.
Strengthening of seed certification facilities.
Assessment of institutional and individual capacity needs, and capacity strengthening
along the seed value chain.
Implementation Arrangements
Working in partnership with
o National Seed Authorities and Institutions:
Seed Services Unit – Malawi
Seed Quality Control Services- Swaziland
Seed Control and Certification Institute – Zambia
Seed Services –Zimbabwe
o National Plant Protection Organizations:
Technology Management & Agricultural Regulatory Services -Malawi
Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service- Swaziland
Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service -Zambia
Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service- Zimbabwe
o Attorney General’s Offices
o National Seed Trade Associations and Private Sector: STAM, ZASTA, ZSTA, GRM
International, ASSMAG
o Civil Society Organisations (CSOs): CISANET, CANGO, ACF
o Research Institutions: ARC
o SADC Seed Centre
Technical Backstopping
Variety Testing, Release & Registration o CIMMYT
25
Seed Certification o Inspection: SANSOR o Seed testing: National Seed Testing lab in Pretoria
Quarantine & Phytosanitary Measures for Seed o FANRPAN is engaging the African Seed Health Centre at Sokoine University in
Tanzania. Objective II: Alignment of Seed Certification Policies in four Member States with SADC Protocols
Seed certification Audit
FANRPAN commissioned an audit of the seed certification institutions in the 4 pilot countries.
Audit results showed that all the 4 pilot countries are not yet ready to implement the SADC protocol on Seed Certification and Quality Control due to limitations in terms of technical, equipment and institutional capacity.
HaSSP Regional Seed Certification Meeting:
22 participants participated in the meeting from 30 August to 1 September 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The outcomes of the meeting were: o Development of a draft training curriculum for capacity building of seed analysts
and seed inspectors; and o Development of a road map for domestication of the SADC protocol on seed
certification.
Training of Seed Analysts under HaSSP:
8 Seed Analysts attended the International Rules for Seed Testing Amendments workshop held in Pretoria from 31 October – 03 November 2011.
7 Seed Analysts attended the Practical course in seed analysis methods and techniques from 5-8 March 2012 in Pretoria.
Objective II: Alignment of Seed Certification Policies in four Member States with SADC Protocols FANRPAN commissioned a Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) study in HaSSP pilot countries during August 2011.
Objective:
Conduct a system wide PCE of the NPPOs to cover the physical auditing of the complete system relating to seed.
Evaluate the readiness of the countries to implement the SADC protocol on Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for seed
Visit at least one port of entry in each country to assess capacity to implement the requirements of the SADC protocol
Conduct a training needs assessment. o The results of the PCE study will be presented during this workshop for
validation.
26
Objective IV: Strengthening of Seed Certification facilities
Vehicles Procured Under HaSSP for use by Seed Inspectorates
Objectives of the Seed Quality Training Workshop
To capacitate participants to conduct valid seed sampling and field inspection
To validate the HaSSP Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation study report
To demonstrate standardization materials according to the SADC protocol on Seed Certification and Quality Assurance
To sensitize our Mozambiquan counterparts on the HaSSP project. Scaling up of the Project
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 Mozambique’s readiness to commence the domestication` of the SADC seed protocols and requested FANRPAN to link them with development partners.
The two countries are expected to participating in aspects of the project after the mid-term review planned for the period March to May 2012.
HaSSP Midterm Review
A call for consultants was widely circulated to o project partners and o node coordinators in the pilot countries.
It was also posted on the FANRPAN website. o The national consultant is to spend three full days in the focal country meeting with
HaSSP seed producing farmers (day 1) and implementing partners (day 2-3) then produce a report.
o Reports produced by the national consultants will be synthesized by a regional consultant who will present it at a 2 day dissemination workshop in South Africa.
27
HaSSP Midterm Review Schedule
Planned Activities (2012)
Expected Outcomes of MTR
It is important to reinforce that domestication and implementation of the SADC protocols is effected at national level.
The mid-term review provides: a) an opportunity for better planning, b) which is informed by project partners, c) considering practical realities in the pilot countries, d) as well as reassigning of resources within the project to ensure that objectives are met
by December 2013.
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Complexity of Legislation
The priority at national level is domestication of the seed protocol.
We have had indications from Zambia that it may not be as easy as we originally thought.
We have received a briefing paper on alignment of legislation from the AG chambers of Zimbabwe.
We have also received the outline of the process in Swaziland.
The post MTR project document will need to factor these processes in the budget.
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ANNEX 9: SEED QUALITY – Eddie Goldschagg
INTRODUCTION
What is quality? o Quality in business, engineering and manufacturing has a pragmatic interpretation as the
non-inferiority or superiority of something. Quality is a perceptual, conditional and somewhat subjective attribute and may be understood differently by different people. Consumers may focus on the specification quality of a product/service, or how it compares to competitors in the marketplace. Producers might measure the conformance quality, or degree to which the product/service was produced correctly.
o ISO 9000: "Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements.¡° The standard defines requirement as need or expectation.
o Joseph M. Juran: "Fitness for use.¡° Fitness is defined by the customer. o American Society for Quality: "A subjective term for which each person has his or her own
definition. In technical usage, quality can have two meanings: a. The characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs; b. A product or service free of deficiencies." * From Wikipedia
Quality is what the customer requires. o Producers are becoming increasingly critical of seed quality, with the subsequent increase in
claims not only for seed value, but also for damages incurred in a crop that did not meet with expectations.
Minimum Standards
Company standards
COMPONENTS OF SEED QUALITY Physical Genetic Biological
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Physical quality o Moisture content o Purity (ISTA analysis)
Pure seed Other seed (Including weed seed) Other material
o Appearance Grading Discoloured seed, insect damaged, etc Chemical coverage
Genetic Quality
Genetic composition of the cultivar o Inherent potential o Genetic purity - can be influenced by:
Contamination – Physical seed mixing (planters, combines, factory) – Volunteer plants / rotation – Foreign pollen / isolation (wind, insects)
Genetic Instability – Mutations – Gene interaction (wheat) – Cytoplasmic male sterility
Genetic Degeneration – Genetic shift – Genetic drift – Long-term effect of off-types
Biological
Germination & vigour o Each cultivar has an inherent level of seed vigour which is determined by its genetic
composition. o Whether this level is attained or not depends on the following factors:
Influence of environmental factors during seed development: – Growing conditions of mother plant – Environmental stresses, – poor soil conditions, – biotic stresses like fungi, bacteria, virus, insects or rodents, etc.
o Placement of seed on plant o Development stage during harvesting o Handling during / after harvesting
– Drum speed – Continual flow - feeding – Moisture during harvesting - – Augers – Combines & Dumpcarts – Processing – Transport
o Packaging o Conditions during storage
Moisture content and relative humidity – According to Harrington each 1% decrease in moisture content (in the region 5 –
14%), will result in doubling the storage life of seed.
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Temperature
– Harrington postulated that the storage life of seed will be halved with each 5.6C
(10F) increase in temperature (in the range 0 – 50C) – The following rule can be applied in cases where RH can be controlled together with
temperature: The sum of the storage temperature in degrees F and the RH must not be more than 100 and temperature must not make up more than half of the total.
This means that temperature must not be higher than 50F (10C) and that at this temperature RH must not exceed 50%.
o Damage caused by insects and rodents o Seed borne pathogens o Age
– Seed shows the maximum germination and vigour when physiologically mature, that is when maximum dry mass is reached on the mother plant. Subsequently, both germination and vigour decrease at a rate typical for each species, as influenced by storage conditions. The important aspect is that seed vigour will decrease more rapidly than germination.
Germination/Viability o The Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) defines germination as “the manifestation
and development from the seed embryo of those essential structures, for a specific type of seed, that provides an indication of the ability to result in a normal plant under favourable conditions”
o Germination results are reported as: Normal seedlings Abnormal seedlings Seed that did not germinate
– Dead seed – Fresh seed – Hard seed
Seed Vigour o Seed vigour is the sum total of the inherent factors, which determine if seed will germinate
and emerge quickly and uniformly under a variety of field conditions including various stress conditions.
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Quality Systems
Company Systems
ISO
Certification Schemes
o What is not certified seed? – Seed for which an Analysis Report (including an ISTA Certificate) for the physical
properties has been issued, without any control of the varietal purity.
o What is certified seed? – Seed of a consistently high and known quality (genetically as well as physically) that
has been produced according to the rules and regulations of an official seed certification Scheme and for which proof of certification is available.
– Generally, Certified seed must meet more and stricter requirements than other seed, and there exists a more intensive control system with over 90 check points. The certificate, seal and label are a guarantee of varietal purity and seed quality.
Procedure Manuals SEED QUALITY TESTING
o Laboratories provide tests for: o Moisture content; o Sizing accuracy; o Physical purity; o Germination capacity; o Viability; o Vigour; o Genetic purity; o Genetically modified organisms; o Seed health; and o Seed lot heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
Some quality aspects of seed can be controlled, so control it.
There are tests for all quality traits – use it.
To produce quality seed is expensive – to sell seed of unknown/ suspect quality can be even more so.
Quality sells!!
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ANNEX 10: SEED SAMPLING - Eddie Goldschagg INTRODUCTION Sampling is of fundamental importance at all stages of seed quality assessment, from obtaining representative samples of the seed lot, up to the submission of the samples. No matter how accurately the work is done in the laboratory, the results can only show the quality of the sample submitted for analysis. ISTA emphasises the importance of sampling as can be clearly concluded from the following rule: “Sampling for the issuing of an International Seed Lot Certificate may only be performed by a person with accredited training. Furthermore, the person must be officially authorised for this purpose, and an official certificate must be issued as proof”. Purpose of Sampling The object of sampling is to obtain a sample of a size suitable for tests, in which the probability of a constituent being present is determined only by its level of occurrence in the seed lot. Sampling is of fundamental importance at all stages of seed quality assessment, because the Seed Testing Laboratory issues a Report of Analysis based on results obtained by analysing a sample submitted by a sampler and represents the submitted sample and not necessarily the seed lot from which it has been taken. Seed Lot Certificates Orange International Certificate required that the seed be officially sampled, sealed and analysed by an ISTA accredited laboratory. Sample Report of Analysis Blue Certificate is sampled by the owner and analysed by an official/accredited seed testing laboratory. DEFINITIONS Seed lot: A specified quantity of seed, physically identifiable, in respect of which an International
Analysis Certificate may be issued. Primary Sample: A portion taken from the seed lot during one single sampling action. Composite Sample: Combining and mixing all primary samples taken from the lot forms the
composite sample. Submitted Sample: A sample submitted to the official or authorised seed testing laboratory and
should be at least the minimum weight. Duplicate sample: Another submitted sample obtained from the same composite sample and
marked “Duplicate sample”. Sub-Sample: A portion of a sample obtained by reducing the composite sample Sealed: Sealed means that the container or individual containers in which the seed is held are
closed in such a way that they cannot be opened to gain access to the seed and closed again without either destroying the seal or leaving evidence of tampering. This definition refers to the sealing of seed lots and seed samples.
RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities of the Laboratory
Seed Analysis Reports only issued when sampling is done by a recognized seed sampler.
Up-to-date record of names and authorization numbers of all seed samplers recognised.
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Responsibilities of the Seed Sampler Do seed sampling in accordance with the methods described in the ISTA Rules and in the documentation provided by the seed testing laboratory. • use the appropriate sampling intensities, • use suitable equipment, • follow the sampling techniques laid down in the ISTA Rules, • perform sample reduction procedures according to ISTA Rules, and • refuse sampling if sampling cannot be done in a correct manner. Responsibilities of the Seed Company • arrange the seed lot in such a way that the seed sampler can draw samples according to the ISTA
Rules. • on request provide full information regarding the bulking and mixing of the lot. • Provide reasonable assistance to the seed sampler. Health and safety • Seed samplers should always inform the management about their presence and where they plan
to work. • When hazardous conditions exist which could endanger health and safety, the seed sampler
should refuse to sample. GENERAL CONDITIONS Information to be recorded • the address of the applicant (who will receive the Seed Analysis Report), • the date and place the sample was obtained, • the species, • the variety name, • the seed lot reference number, • the size of the lot, • the number and the size of the containers, • the type of the container, • the kind of marking/labeling and sealing, • the kind of chemical treatment if applied. Sealing of the lot The containers shall be sealed, or seen to be sealed by the sampler, or be of a self-sealing type approved by the official seed testing station. No sampled lot, or part of a lot, may be left unsealed. Marking the lot At the time of sampling, the sampler must ensure that all containers are labelled or marked with a lot identification number. This can be done directly on the containers or on a label attached to the container. In case of seed for OIC the lot the seed testing laboratory will allot the identification number. In the case of certified seed the lot identification must correspond with the lot identification on the certificate – the unit code must form part thereof. General Directions • Storage: The seed lot shall be so arranged that each individual container or part of the lot is
conveniently accessible. • Upon request by the sampler, the owner shall provide full information regarding the bulking and
mixing of the lot. When there is definite evidence of heterogeneity, either physical or documentary, sampling shall be refused.
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• The fundamental problem in seed sampling is that it is practically impossible to obtain a perfectly uniform seed lot. If this were possible, it would be sufficient to take a single small sample from the most convenient point. Since this is not the case, it has been necessary to devise sampling techniques, which can be relied on to give samples, which accurately represent the seed lot providing that the lot is homogeneous.
PROCEDURES Size-of-lot: The lot, subject to a tolerance of 5%, shall not exceed the prescribed quantity. A consignment of seed in excess of the prescribed quantity shall be subdivided into lots not larger than the prescribed quantity, each of which shall be identified by a separate lot designation. SAMPLING-INTENSITY Sampling intensity for seed lots in containers of 15 kg to 100 kg capacity (inclusively):- 1 – 4 containers: 3 primary samples » each container 5 – 8 containers: 2 primary samples » each container 9 – 15 containers: 1 primary sample » each container 16 – 30 containers: 15 primary samples » seed lot 31 – 59 containers: 20 primary samples » seed lot 60 or more containers: 30 primary samples » seed lot Sampling intensity for seed lots in containers of more than 100 kg, or from streams of seed entering containers:- Up to 500kg : At least 5 primary samples 501 - 3 000kg : 1 primary sample for every 300kg but not less than 5 3 001 - 20 000kg: 1 primary sample for every 500kg but not less than 10 20 001kg and more: 1 primary sample for every 700kg but not less than 40 When sampling a lot of up to 15 containers, regardless of their size, the same number of primary samples shall be taken from each container. Example for mass containers (>100kg) You have to sample a 10,200 kg consignment of seed consisting of 17 x 600 kg. What are the number of primary samples to be taken and the intensity of the containers to be sampled? 3 001 - 20 000kg : 1 primary sample for each 500kg but not less than 10 10,200 ÷ 500 = 20.4 (21) primary samples Answer: 21 primary samples, 2 primary samples from each of four containers and one primary sample of each of the remaining 13 containers (8+13) Example for mass containers (>100kg) You have to sample a 1,010 kg consignment of seed consisting of 10 x 101 kg. What are the number of primary samples to be taken and the intensity of the containers to be sampled? 501 - 3 000kg : 1 primary sample for each 300kg but not less than 5 1,010 ÷ 300 = 3.36 (4) primary samples Answer: 10 (Have to take at least 5, but need to take equal number of primary samples from each container if it is less than 15, 1 from each container = 10)
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SAMPLING-INTENSITY Small containers For seed lots in containers smaller than 15 kg capacity, containers shall be combined into sampling units not exceeding 100 kg, e.g. 20 containers of 5 kg, 33 containers of 3 kg or 100 containers of 1 kg. The following formula can be used: Number of sampling units = Number of containers x size of containers ÷ 100 The sampling units shall be regarded as containers in the sampling scheme for containers from 15 – 100kg. Sampling of seed lots in tins and in other containers smaller than 15 kg capacity • The retailer packs the tins/packets in cartons. The cartons are not closed at this stage. • To ensure that the correct weight of seed ordered stays available for dispatching, the retailer
should have extra tins/packets of the same seed lot ready to substitute the tins/packets the sampler use as primary samples.
• The tins/packets taken as primary samples are then opened and the seed mixed to form a composite sample. From that the submitted sample consisting of the prescribed mass is taken. The retailer may then repack the rest of the seed.
• After completion of the sampling, the packing and sealing of the cartons must be completed in the presence of the sampler.
Example for small containers You have to sample a consignment of seed consisting of 900 x 5kg tins. • Divide the seed lot in 100kg units • 900 x 5 ÷ 100 = 45 units • Determine the number of primary samples to be taken • 31 - 59 containers = 20 primary samples in total • 20 tins have to be sampled – arrange beforehand with the owner to have 20 tins ready to
substitute the tins being sampled. PROCEDURES General Principles A sample is obtained from the seed lot by taking small portions at random from different positions in the lot and combining them. From this sample, smaller samples are obtained by one or more stages. The latter can obtain in two different ways:- • Progressive subdivision of seed, or • Abstraction and combination of small portions at random Taking primary samples When the seed lot is in containers (including bags), the containers to be sampled shall be selected at random or according to a systematic plan throughout the seed lot and primary samples drawn from top, middle and bottom of containers, but not necessarily from more than one position in any container. If there are more containers than the number of primary samples to be taken, not more than one sample may be taken from any one container. Primary samples of approximately equal size shall be taken, regardless of the way it is taken:- • from each container it is taken, or • from each place sampled in such container, or • from each location sampled in a bulk. • When the seed is in bulk or in large containers, the primary samples shall be drawn from random
positions and depths. • All primary samples must be compared for homogeneity of the seed lot. If any doubt of the
homogeneity exists, sampling must be discontinued.
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• Chaffy seeds that have not been rendered free-flowing or seeds that may be damaged if sampled by instruments, the primary samples may be drawn by hand.
• When seed is to be packed in small containers or in moisture-proof containers it may be sampled in advance, provided:
• the large containers are sealed and marked according to the rules, • Opening of the containers and repacking is done under the supervision of the seed sampler, • there is no processing of the seed during filling of the small or moisture proof containers. • It is only in this case that the ISTA International Seed Lot Certificate can be issued for the small or
moisture proof containers with the results based on the sample drawn from the large seed lot. When this has not been done, a sufficient number of containers shall be opened or pierced for abstraction of primary samples. The sampled containers shall then be sealed or the contents transferred to new containers
• Seed may be sampled as it enters the containers, provided that the instrument uniformly samples the cross section of the seed stream and seeds entering the instrument do not bounce out again; it may be operated either under manual or automatic control. The intervals between taking primary samples should be constant but may also vary randomly.
SAMPLING METHODS Sampling by hand In certain cases and for certain species, especially chaffy, non-free flowing species, hand sampling is sometimes the most satisfactory method. Examples are Cenchrus, Chloris, Dactylis, Digitaria, Anthephora and Poa. Groundnuts, beans and vine crops which are packed in bags and therefore susceptible to damage by the triers, should also be sampled by hand. Sampling by hand Technique: • Primary samples should be taken by removing handfuls of seed from random positions. Insert the
open hand to the required depth, then close the fingers gripping the seed tightly and removing it from the bag. The seed in the hand is the primary sample. Great care should be taken to keep the fingers tightly closed about the seeds so none may escape.
• It is difficult by this method to sample deeper than about 400mm. In such cases the sampler may take special precautions such as requesting that some bags be emptied or partly emptied to facilitate sampling, and then be refilled.
Sampling of bags - The “Nobbe” trier The trier is a pointed tube, long enough to reach the centre of the bag, with an oval hole near the pointed end. The width of the opening should be at least 2 times the maximum diameter of the seed being sampled, with the length as least five times. The Nobbe trier is suitable for sampling seed in bags but not in bulk. • The trier should be inserted gently into the bag, pointing upwards at an angle of about 30° to the
horizontal, with the hole facing downwards until it reaches the centre of the bag. • NB. Never use force to push the trier into the bag, as this would damage the seeds • The trier is then revolved through 180°, bringing the hole to face upwards, and is withdrawn with
decreasing speed so that the quantity of seed obtained from successive locations increases progressively from centre to side of the bag. While the trier is being withdrawn it should be gently agitated so that an even flow of seed is maintained.
• The sampling should be varied from top, middle and bottom of the bags. To sample the bottom of standing bags they may be raised off the floor and placed on top of other bags.
• When the trier is removed the point should be run across the hole a couple of times in opposite directions to pull the threads together and close the hole. Closed paper bags may also be sampled by puncturing the bag and afterwards sealing the hole with a special adhesive patch.
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The “Sleeve type” trier: • This trier consists of a hollow tube inside a closely fitting outer shell or sleeve which has a solid
pointed end. A handle is fixed to the inner tube in order to turn it within the outer tube. • This type of triers may vary in length and diameter, being designed for different kinds of seed and
various sizes of containers. • The tube and sleeve have open slots in their walls so that when the tube is turned until the slots
in the tube and sleeve are in line, seeds can flow into the cavity of the tube, and when the tube is given a half turn the openings are closed. The slots may either be in separate compartments or in a single tube. In the last case it may only be used in a horizontal position, whilst the first mentioned may be used horizontal as well as vertical.
• Using it either vertically or horizontally, one should insert the trier diagonally into the bag or container. The trier is thrust into the bag in the closed position, then opened and turned a couple of times or gently agitated to allow it to fill completely. Thereafter it is closed again, withdrawn and emptied into a suitable seed pan, or onto a piece of waxed paper or similar material.
Sampling from the seed stream Sampling is done by removing primary samples from the seed stream, after the cleaning process has been completed but before the seed is packed. This can be done by hand or by using an automatic sampler but in either case it is important that the entire cross-section of the seed stream is uniformly sampled and that seeds entering the sampler do not bounce out again. Several primary samples should be taken at regular intervals during processing to ensure that the entire seed lot is represented. THE COMPOSITE SAMPLE If the primary samples appear uniform, they shall be combined and mixed to form the composite sample. THE SUBMITTED SAMPLE Obtaining the submitted sample The submitted sample shall be obtained by reducing the composite sample to an appropriate size. The Soil Divider - Technique • Place the divider on a firm, level surface and ensure that the divider and the containers are clean. • Place a container under each outlet. • Pour the whole sample into the divider by running the container backwards and forward along
the edge of the divider so that all the channels and spaces receive an equal amount of seed. • Remove the two full containers and replace with empty containers. Pour the contents of only one
container into the hopper and repeat this step until the prescribed weight of the submitted sample is obtained.
• NB. By making use of this method but by pouring all the seed into the divider, the composite sample could be thoroughly mixed beforehand.
The Hand Halving Method This method is restricted to the following genera of chaffy seeds: Agrimonia Cenchrus Melinis Andropogon Chloris Oryza Anthoxanthum Diclanthium Pennisetum (excl. glaucum) Arrhenatherum Digitaria Scabiosa Astrebla Echinochloa Sorghastrum Beckmannia Ehrharta Stylosanthes(excl. guianensis) Bouteloua Elymus Taeniatherum Brachiaria Eragrostis Trisetum Briza Gomphrena
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The hand halving method – Technique • The primary samples are poured evenly onto a smooth clean surface. Thoroughly mix the seed
into a mound. • The mound is divided into half .... • ... each half is halved again, giving four portions. • Each of the four portions is halved again giving eight portions which should be arranged in two
rows of four. • Combine and retain alternate portions: eg combine the 1st and 3rd portions in the first row with
the 2nd and 4th in the second row. • Remove the remaining four portions. • Repeat the steps using the retained portions from step four until the required weight of the
sample is obtained. DUPLICATE SAMPLES Obtaining a duplicate sample • A request for a duplicate sample must be made before the sampling procedure is completed. • The duplicate sample shall be obtained from the same composite sample as from which the
submitted sample was obtained by reducing/dividing the composite sample to an appropriate size for both samples.
• The duplicate sample shall clearly marked as “Duplicate” THE SUBMITTED SAMPLE Weights of the submitted samples Purity, germination and prohibited seeds: • The weight indicated in Column 4 of the Table is the weight prescribed by the ISTA Rules for the
submitted sample. • In case the sample is smaller than prescribed, the sampler shall be notified accordingly and
analysis withheld until sufficient seed is received in a single submitted sample. • The Rules make provision that in the case of very expensive seed, smaller samples may be
accepted, provided that the owner of the seed has made a remark on the application form and the sampler a remark on the label attached to the submitted sample.
Moisture determination: • The weight of the submitted sample for the determination of moisture for species that have to be
ground, is at least 100g. • For all other species the minimum weight is 50g. • The sample must be submitted in a moisture proof container. • Species of which the seeds have to be ground:
Arachis hypogaea Citrullus lanatus Glycine max Gossypium spp. Lupinus spp. Phaseolus spp. Pisum sativum Sorghum spp. Zea mays
Marking and sealing the submitted sample • The submitted sample must be sealed and marked with the same identification mark as the lot. • It is recommended that one of the labels prepared for the lot is attached to, or included in the
sample, provided there is an additional label available. Packing of the submitted sample • Samples shall be packed so as to prevent damage during transit. • The sampler is personally responsible for seals, labels and sampling bags issued to him, and he
must see to it that no unauthorised person has access to it.
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ANNEX 11: ISSUANCE OF ISTA CERTIFICATES – Pamela Strauss Rules for Seed Testing
• Only ISTA accredited member laboratories are authorised to issue International Seed Testing
Certificates (South Africa accreditation number – ZA01).
• It is imperative that the issuance of International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) certificates
is done in accordance with the current edition of the ISTA Rules.
• Even although the rules are used throughout the world for testing of seed in the domestic
market, their main purpose is for the issuing of International Seed Analysis Certificates,
which are widely used in the international trade.
International Certificates
• There are currently two types of certificate, namely orange and blue.
• Probably best known and widely used is the orange certificate which reports the results of a
seed lot.
• During the ISTA annual meeting of 2011, ISTA reported on the sale of 132 2200 Orange and 6
450 Blue certificates.
• As the issuance of certificates is such an important part of the ISTA activity, a great deal of
effort is expended in ensuring that they are accurate in the results that they provide.
Seed lot certificate
The Orange International Seed Lot Certificate (OIC) –
• Is issued when both sampling from the seed lot and testing of the sample are carried out
under the responsibility of an accredited laboratory, or when sampling from the seed lot and
testing are carried out under the authority of different accredited laboratories.
• The procedure followed links the OIC with the seed lot.
• The certificate is coloured orange. Currently this is the most popular type of certificate
requested.
• South Africa has issued 852 OIC’s as from 01 April 2011.
Seed sample certificate The Blue Seed Sample Certificate (BIC) –
• Is issued when sampling from the seed lot is not under the responsibility of an accredited
laboratory.
• The accredited laboratory is responsible only for testing the sample as submitted.
• It is not responsible for the relationship between the sample and any seed lot from which it
may have been derived.
• The certificate is coloured blue. A smaller quantity of these certificates is issued annually.
• South Africa have issued 128 BIC’s as from 01 April 2011.
Conditions for issuance of certificates
• Must be a species listed in the ISTA Rules (Table 2A), currently certificates cannot be issued
for mixtures.
• Tests must be carried out in accordance with the ISTA Rules.
• The types of tests conducted can only be those that the laboratory is accredited for, i.e. have
competence.
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• The assessment of any attribute reported on a certificate must be calculated from tests
carried out on one submitted sample. Only the result for the moisture determination may
be done on a separate sample submitted in a moisture proof container but taken at the
same time.
• The seed lot identification may take the form of a sequential series of characters or a single
reference character, e.g. South Africa - ZA01000112.
Validity of certificates
• An OIC shall be valid until it is superseded by another valid OIC subsequently issued on the
same lot. However, not more than one OIC shall be valid for a lot at one time for a particular
test.
• A new original OIC may be issued for the same seed lot, provided that a new submitted
sample from that lot is taken and tested.
• Any previous certificate is cancelled by the latest certificate issued on the same seed lot
under the same reference number, i.e. seed lot seal and identification, for the particular test
(s).
• The reference dates are (in order of priority) the date of sampling, the date the test was
concluded, and the date of issuing the certificate.
Application procedure
• Standard application forms (the contract) have been drawn up in order to facilitate this
process and must be completed in full by the applicant.
• The handwriting must be neat and legible and the information supplied must be correct.
• After completion, the applications forms are faxed/e-mailed to the OSTL at Roodeplaat for
the allocation of the required lot numbers.
• On receipt of the application forms, the OSTL will allocate the required unique seed lot
numbers and fax/e-mail the forms back to the company.
• The forms are also sent to an authorised seed sampler, who will be responsible for the
sampling procedure.
• The applicant is responsible for preparation of the seed lot/s for the sampling procedure,
which includes the marking of the lot with the allocated lot number/s.
• Each container must be marked or furnished with a label stating the allocated lot number.
• Only when the seed lot/s are ready for sampling shall the authorised officer be notified in
order to sample and seal the applicable seed lot/s.
• The official sampler should peruse the application forms in order to prepare for sampling i.e.
is a moisture sample to be taken.
• After sampling the samples are dispatched to the OSTL.
Issuance of the certificate
• Upon receipt of the sample, the OSTL now take responsibility for the sample.
• Reception, registration and testing takes place.
• Hereafter the certificate is issued strictly in accordance with the ISTA Rules.
• The original is sent to the applicant, and a copy to the official sampler. The OSTL retains a
copy for record purposes.
• Remember all records for the ISTA Quality Assurance System are kept for 6 years and not the
usual 3 years as required by the Plant Improvement Act.
• The remainder of the seed sample is stored for a 1 year period as a source of reference.
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ANNEX 12: SEED CERTIFICATION - Eddie Goldschagg, SANSOR WHAT IS CERTIFIED SEED? Seed of a consistently high and known quality (genetically as well as physically) that has been produced according to the rules and regulations of an official seed certification Scheme and for which proof of certification is available. Generally, certified seed must meet more and stricter requirements than other seed, and there exists a more intensive control system with over 90 check points. The certificate, seal and label are a guarantee of varietal purity and seed quality. AIM OF SEED CERTIFICATION To conduct genetic maintenance of existing varieties, as well as new varieties as it were developed and described by the breeder. Certification Schemes exercise control from breeder seed, though Pre-Basic to Basic and finally to Certified seed generations and aims specifically to guarantee varietal purity and identity, as well as seed with good physical qualities. DEFINITIONS "breeder seed" means seed of a particular generation of an inbred line or a variety which has been produced under the supervision of the breeder thereof, the person to whom the rights therein have been transferred, or another person who maintains the generation concerned; "pre-basic seed" means the seed –
• of generations preceding ‘basic seed’; and • of the generations between ‘breeder seed’ and ‘basic seed’ if such seed have been produced
in accordance with the stipulations of the Scheme and comply with the minimum requirements of ‘basic seed’ for the specific crop;
"basic seed" means seed which has been certified in terms of this Scheme as basic seed; "certified seed, 1st generation” means seed which has been produced from Basic Seed and certified in terms of this Scheme as certified seed; "certified seed, 2nd generation” means seed which has been produced from certified seed, 1st generation and certified in terms of this Scheme as as certified seed, 2nd generation SEED CLASSES
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SEED CERTIFICATION: HOW? Registration of Units • On prescribed forms • Field location details • Payment of fees • Within prescribed time • Registration confirmed by the Authority • Registration may be refused if: • Insufficient knowledge by grower • Previous failure to comply by grower • Field not readily accessible • Area not suitable for production of crop Field Inspections are conducted by authorised inspectors, and on the times as stipulated for each crop by the Scheme. A written field inspection report is issued after each inspection and send to the NSA. WHAT IS CONTROLLED WHEN SEED IS CERTIFIED? Land requirements A piece of land may be registered as a unit only if no plants of any species of Sorghum have been established thereon for seed production or otherwise during the two growing seasons preceding the registration thereof. A piece of land which is intended for the production of basic seed or certified seed of a particular grain sorghum variety may also be registered as a unit, if – • in the case of basic seed, certified pre-basic seed of the same variety has been produced
thereon during the preceding growing season; and • in the case of certified seed, certified pre-basic seed or basic seed of the same variety has been
produced thereon during the preceding growing season. Planting requirements Plants shall be established in rows on a unit. Gap-filling in rows shall not be permissible. If in the case of the intended production of seed of a hybrid variety - • the plants of the seed parent and those of the pollen parent shall be established in separate
rows; and • rows containing plants of the pollen parent shall be clearly marked thus. Isolation requirements A unit shall be surrounded by an isolation area which: - in the case of the intended production of certified, pre-basic seed or basic seed of - • an open-pollinated variety, is at least 400 metres wide; and • a hybrid variety, is at least 750 metres wide; and in the case of the intended production of certified seed - • an open-pollinated variety, is at least 350 metres wide; and • a hybrid variety, is at least 500 metres wide. Such isolation area shall be free of plants of any grain sorghum variety or species of Sorghum which flower at the same time as the plants on the unit concerned, unless in the case of the intended production of basic seed, they have been established from certified pre-basic seed of the same variety; and in the case of the intended production of certified seed, they have been established from certified pre-basic seed or basic seed of the same variety.
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Plants of different seed parents of a hybrid variety may be established on adjoining units if – • a common pollen parent is used; and • an open space at least five metres wide, which is free of plants of the seed parents and pollen
parent concerned, is maintained between the units concerned. Requirements for plants The plants which are established on a unit shall - • be cared for in a manner which is conductive to the production of seed of a high quality; • not be overgrown by weeds; • all deviating plants must be removed before the plants start to flower, and • comply with the requirements for plants of the kind concerned The number of deviating plants on a unit shall – • in the case of the intended production of certified pre-basic seed or basic seed, not exceed 0,2
per cent; and • in the case of the intended production of certified seed, not exceed 0,5 per cent. Inspection requirements Plants which are established on a unit shall be inspected – • before the flowering stage thereof; • during the flowering stage thereof; • during the full seed stage thereof; and • in the case of a hybrid variety, after the seed heads of the plants of the pollen parent have been
removed. If plants of a hybrid variety have been established on a unit - • the seed grower concerned shall notify the authority at least 10 days beforehand of the date on
which – • the plants of the seed parent are expected to start flowering; and • the seed heads of the pollen parent are to be removed; and • the seed of the plants of the seed parent may not be harvested before the inspection referred
to in paragraph 5.1.4 has been carried out. INSPECTION PROCEDURES Aim of Field Inspections Seed units are inspected to ensure that there are no aspects that will influence the genetic purity of the seed harvest. The most important aspects to be controlled are: 1.1 that the crop in totality represents the variety that it is supposed to be; 1.2 that there are no more deviating plants present than the minimum prescribed requirements
for the specific crop; 1.3 that the crop is properly isolated so as to prevent cross-pollination or mechanical mixing; 1.4 that all other planting requirements such as soil requirements, have been complied with; 1.5 that the surface area is correct. (May need to use a GPS or Map) 1.6 that the inspection is conducted at the prescribed stage; and 1.7 that the presence has been recorded of diseases, weeds and insects in terms of complying
with Phytosanitary standards. The times and stages for inspections as indicated above, are prescribed for each specific crop in the Scheme as those will represent the best stages for identifying potential problems. Generally speaking, those are the stages of development at which inspections must be conducted and where the following aspects must be observed: • pre-flower – visual deviations from plant description • full flower – flower colour, fertility / sterility, etc. • full seed – form of ear, pollination, seed colour, etc. • pre-harvest – Sclerotinia, inspection of cobs, removal of the pollen parent, etc.
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Inspectors involved • One of the most important aspects at the execution of a field inspection is that the inspector
has to be trained. • This implies that he must possess appropriate knowledge of cropping practices for the specific
crop. • He must be able to distinguish different varieties from one another. • Furthermore, he/she must be well acquainted with the requirements of the Seed Certification
Scheme, specifically as regards the field requirements of the specific crop. Methods of conducting field inspections There are various prescribed methods on how field inspections must be conducted. The most important here is that a representative number of plants of the unit must be assessed during field inspection. How is the Objective Achieved There can be compliance with the objective of field inspection by way of one of the methods listed underneath. It can be seen that the main aim of field inspections is to walk across the rows of the unit in order to do a representative and reliable assessment of the unit. Isolation The first action during inspection of a unit, is to verify the isolation. In cross-pollinating crops the verification includes neighbouring plantings, gardens, weeds and volunteer plants that may possibly cross-pollinate. Variety Purity Check if the variety complies with the variety description, i.e. that the crop in totality represents the variety that it is supposed to be. Specific attention must be given whether the unit is homogenous and uniform; whether the unit is from the same seed origin; and whether more off-types occur in specific portions of the field. The varietal purity must be assessed if the unit complies with the foregoing. The determinations need to be done on the parts as prescribed in the Seed Certification Scheme for each crop. Assessments must be done on at least 10 places in the unit so that plants that are inspected, are representative of the entire unit. During the inspection, attention must also be given to diseases, pests, weeds, volunteer plants, etc., that can affect the crop negatively. o Which part of the field is flowering? o Determine the type and extend of the potential problem. o Is the seed producer actively removing the deviant types or not. Decide now what steps need to be taken: • Must a specific count be made? • If so, on which portion of the field? • Conduct proper counts. The total portion of the field where counts are done, will be rejected in case the permissible tolerances are exceeded. Method: • Count 10 plants per row diagonal across the field. • Minimum of 1000 plants. • In border cases another 1000 plants in the opposite direction. • Mark the area where the count was done. • Work thoroughly. • Note the counts on the inspection report.
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• Count ears/plants. • Ear counted as pollen-shedding if 1cm or more of the ear is shedding pollen • Basic seed: Deviating plants – 0.1% • Pollen-shedding seed-parents > susceptible flowers 20.0% –
o single inspection 0.5%, o aggregate 0.5%,
• Reject 10 meters for every 1% <500 In the case of Phytosanitary field inspections • No percentage, only occurrence • Look for areas where diseased plants are more likely to be –
o waterlogged areas o shallow soil o wheel tracks of center pivots o Take samples for verification!
Inspection Reports • Inspection reports are a very important and necessary link in the chain of certification, • must be filled in completely and correctly. • All information are transferred to the Certification database, legible writing • from this information NSA must be able to judge the unit – certification, upgrading. • these reports are completed in your capacity as an Authorized inspector, and not as an
employee of your company/ institution – be objective. • You are legally liable in your personal capacity for any male fide actions. • It is exceptionally important in cases where there are rejections, that the grower must be
immediately informed and that he or his representative must sign the report. • The NSA will not issue any final certificate unless all required inspection reports have been
received. However, it is not necessary to submit reports after each inspection – but after the final inspection has been completed
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Inspectors • Trained • Experienced with crop/variety • Have description of variety • Diligent • Responsible • Physical able • Authorized • Monitored Physical requirements Seed must : • comply with requirements for the minimum germination percentage; Sorghum = 80% • be free of prohibited weed seed; • have a moisture content of not more than the maximum allowed; • be treated against seed-borne diseases with an chemical remedy which is registered for this
purpose and has been approved by the authority for such use; • not contain more than - • maximum percentage other seed allowed; Sorghum = ??? • maximum percentage other material allowed. Sorghum = 1.0% Harvest and Threshing of Seed • It is the responsibility of the authorised inspector to ensure that all requirements in respect of
the Scheme be complied with. • Inspect harvesters and threshers for cleanliness • Seed can be harvested in various forms, received and delivered to the points of processing. • Unprocessed seed produced in terms of the Scheme must be retained in containers that are
clean and without holes. • Bags are filled and must be stitched or closed by hand so that spillage during handling can be
prevented. • The containers in which the seed will be kept before it is to be cleaned, must be clearly marked
in legible symbols, letters and figures on the container or with a label with the following information: o The words “Uncleaned seed” o Name of the type of crop o Hybrid or variety name o Code number under which the unit concerned has been registered. Sub-code may be
allocated where applicable o Name and address of the seed grower who had produced seed on the relevant unit
• An undertaking in respect of transfer of responsibility for the seed must be completed and signed with handing over of the seed to seed processing units.
Processing of Seed • It is the responsibility of the authorised inspector/sampler to ensure after processing of the
seed, during the process of sampling, that the specific lot meets all the requirements of the Scheme.
• Marking requirements • All labels referred to in subsection (2) shall indicate-
o the word “Kind:” followed by the recognised name of the kind of plant to which such seed belongs;
o the word “Variety:” followed the recognised name of the variety of the plant to which such o seed belongs; o the words “Class No.:” followed by the class or size of the seed, where applicable;
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o the words “Reference No.:” followed by the reference or lot number assigned to the seed lot concerned;
o the words “Certificate No.:” followed by the certificate number assigned to the seed lot concerned;
o the words “Nett Mass:” followed by the nett mass, in kilograms, of the seed in the container concerned; and
o the words “Year of Production:” followed by the year in which the seed concerned was produced.
Requirements for containers The containers in which seed which has been produced in terms of the Scheme, is presented for certification shall - • be new and not previously have been used for another purpose; and • be closed up in such a manner that entry to the seed therein can only be obtained by forcible
opening or by the removal of the official certification seals that were affixed to such container. Requirements for seals and stacks Seals shall - • be of a type which cannot be removed or reused without becoming damaged; and • be affixed in such a manner that a label affixed to a container can be removed only by removing
or damaging the seal concerned at the same time. Seals shall only be affixed to the containers of seed which has been produced in terms of this Scheme if - • each container can readily be reached for this purpose and, if applicable, the purposes of
sampling, without it being necessary to move any of those containers; and • the height of those containers, if stacked, is not more than 3,0 metres above ground level. Official Certificate The seed must be presented for certification in seed lots that do not exceed the maximum seed lot size for the crop as determined by ISTA. The seed lots must be sampled by trained and authorised seed samplers according to the Rules and Methods described by ISTA. The samples must be analysed by a registered (accredited) seed testing laboratory according to the ISTA Rules. If the specific lot complies with the physical requirements as required under the Scheme, a provisional certificate can be completed and send to the Authority, accompanied by a copy of the registered laboratory’s test report, for the issuing of an official certificate. The Authority will control the following before issuing an official certificate: • Whether registration requirements have been complied with; • Whether inspection requirements have been complied with; • Whether all inspection reports are on record; and • Whether the lot complies with the prescribed minimum physical requirements. Post-Control A post-control sample of each registered unit is planted out in order: • to ensure that the Seed Certification Scheme is functioning adequately, • to determine if the genetic characteristics as developed and described by the breeder, have
remained unchanged through the production processes, and • to verify the trueness to type and of the variety. CONCLUSION Seed certification, whether national or international, is a reliable way to ensure that your seed is of a high and known quality
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ANNEX 13: NATIONAL STATUS: SEED CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE – Malawi Introduction
Seed important in agriculture
Seed certification and quality assurance important
Seed legislation available but need review
ISTA accredited laboratory
Progress towards alignment to the SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance system
Not much progress made
Consultations initiated with Ministry of Justice o To review seed legislation
Lengthy procedure
Compared the two systems in terms of field inspection and seed testing standards o Not many differences identified
Few SADC standards lower than Malawi standards – Quality Declared Seed
Documenting standards for field inspections and seed testing based on SADC. Number of seed inspectors and seed analysts (public and private)
Seed certification and quality assurance o Done by government o No seed company accredited yet o Private sector inspectors- internal quality assurance
Seed inspectors o 14 Government o 8 Private sector
Seed Analysts o 8 Government o 5 Private sector
Hectarage of seed registered and inspected in 2011
Hectarage registered and inspected
33% increase from ha registered in 2010
99% of field inspected
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Seed Testing in 2011
Main seed testing laboratory o Laboratory accredited to ISTA
Three satellite seed testing laboratories o strategically located in the three regions
No OIC issued Seed tested in 2011
Seed testing by private sector
No accredited laboratory yet
All seed tested by government laboratories
Participation in proficiency test rounds in 2011 National
One test on cotton conducted o Purity o Germination
Comparative test with Monsanto Malawi Regional
One PT on Onion seed
Results not yet communicated International
Vicia faba
Helianthus annuus (voluntary)
Triticum aestivum (voluntary) – Collective action on OSD and seed mixtures Seed certification equipment procured and still required
Some new equipment procured on ASWAp-SP o Copenhagen seed testing baths, o Balances o True road measurers, o pH meters, o Mills for moisture content test o Sand sterilizers o 1 vehicle – Ford Ranger 4 x 4 procured on HaSSP
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New equipment still needed o Binocular microscopes, plant growth chambers, GPS, vehicles,
Training attended and provided
Seed production and certification of potato – Scotland and Malawi
ISTA rules for seed testing workshop– Pretoria
Seed production, testing and seed legislation – USA
Sensitization meeting of SSU staff on SADC technical agreements - Malawi New developments
Licensing of seed sellers
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ANNEX 14: NATIONAL STATUS SEED CERTIFICATION & QUALITY ASSURANCE – Zambia SEED CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
Carried out by Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), A department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Seed Certification and Quality Assurance includes both Seed Testing and Inspections.
Seed testing is carried out by the Official Seed Testing Station (OSTS) and private labs.
Seed inspections are carried out by the Seed Inspectorate and Seed systems development section.
Seed sampling is done by samplers from OSTS , Seed Inspectors and Licensed inspectors/samplers.
Other activities relevant to seed certification are carried out by the Plant Variety Testing, Release and Protection section (which administers Plant Breeders Rights, conducts DUS tests, Post and pre-control tests).
The seed inspectorate in Zambia is decentralized to provincial level.
Currently eight (out of 10) provinces are manned while efforts are under way to have official inspectorate in two of the provinces not currently covered.
Seed Inspections Activities include:- o Registration of seed growers o Field inspections o Seed Sampling o Licensing of seed traders o Licensing of seed inspectors
Seed testing
10 Seed Testing facilities in total o 1 Main seed testing station at SCCI HQ o 6 satellite seed testing laboratories (in different parts of Zambia) o 3 Private labs (two for many crop species & one specifically for cotton seed)
All monitored regularly and audited
SEED INSPECTORS AND ANALYSTS
Seed Inspectors/Samplers o Public: 13 (SCCI Inspectors) o Private/Licensed: 64
Seed Analysts o Public: 24 (SCCI Officers) o Private: 6
HECTARAGE OF SEED CROP REGISTERED AND INSPECTED
2010/2011 Agricultural Season o Over 62,400 Ha for both rain fed and irrigated crops o 28,313.25 Ha inspected (46%)
2011/2012 Agricultural Season o 65,599 Ha registered under various crops
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HECTARAGE OF SEED CROP REGISTERED AND INSPECTED
QUANTITY OF SEED TESTED
In 2010: Tested 5,577 seed samples. 80,172 MT of seed
In 2011: Tested 6,123 seed samples. 90,008 MT of seed
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INTERNATIONAL SEED TRADE
693 Orange International seed lot Certificates (OICs) issued in 2011
17,891MT seed exported
Maize, Tobacco, Soybeans and Sorghum
SADC region, Kenya and Tanzania
PROFICIENCY TESTS
Participated in: o 1 National Proficiency/Comparative tests o 1 Regional PT program organized by SA laboratory, results still being awaited; o 4 International/ISTA PT rounds
SEED CERTIFICATION EQUIPMENT PROCURED IN 2011 Seed counter Vacuum planter Moisture tins Desiccators Precision balances Sampling bags Germination paper substrate
EQUIPMENT TO BE PURCHASED Sampling probes Geographical Positioning Systems (GPSs) Grading pans Distiller Fume hoods Seed Blower Incubation chambers Grinding mills Data loggers Moisture meters
TRAINING ATTENDED
Two Seed Analysts participated in the ISTA Amendments to ISTA Rules workshop, hosted by SA Seed Testing laboratory and financed by FANRPAN
Two Seed Analysts participated in the practical course on seed analysis, provided by SA Seed Testing laboratory and financed by FANRPAN
One Seed Analyst participated in course on management of tobacco seed crops provided by the national tobacco research institute
ALIGNMENT OF NATIONAL SEED CERTIFICATION TO SADC Progress Report
July 2010, the SCCI held a workshop to repeal and replace the Law governing seed issues
This opportunity was therefore used to incorporate technical agreements on the harmonization of the SADC seed regulations in the country’s seed law.
The current seed certification system and standards for Zambia are not significantly different from the SADC system and standards and hence the changes will not be very dramatic.
After the Pretoria meeting in August/September 2011,
National Authority held workshop late 2011
2nd Review – Seed Law (both Act & Regulations) to: o Address issues raised by Cabinet to reduce cost of doing business o Align Act and Regulations to SADC requirement
Draft copies ready and awaiting input from Legal person
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Stakeholders workshop ANNEX 15: NATIONAL STATUS SEED CERTIFICATION & QUALITY ASSURANCE - Zimbabwe
Progress Report
MOU not yet signed – Already approved by PAAC and awaiting for presentation to CCL
Draft documents for alignment available
Alignment cannot be effected without the signing of MOU
Seed Inspectors and analysts
Inspectors o Public - 10 o Private – 44
Seed Analysts o Public - 20 (8 Seed Analysts & 12 Assistants) and 2 seniors o Private – 17
Hectarage of seed registered in 2011
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Number of seed samples and tonnage tested by Seed Services
Certificates issued (tonnage)
OICs issued – 505 (7 473MT)
Local certificates issued – 2020 (28888MT)
Number of seed samples tested by private laboratories
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Proficiency Tests
International – 3 rounds
Regional – 1 round
National – 3 rounds
REMARK – Seed analysts need more training on Other Seed Determination
Certification Equipment Procured
A vehicle for seed certifiication has been procured by FANRPAN Norm: Require 4 more vehicles for seed certification to operate independently
Seed testing equipment from COMRAP in transit Need: 3 Sand Sterilizers; Germination Paper (Anchor); Norbe triers (A set of 3 for large, a set of 3 medium, a set of 3 for small seeds)
Training Provided – NSA
Training Attended 2011
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New Developments
Accession to UPOV Act of 1991: o Require Ammendments of the current PBR Act
o Drafted the Memorandum of Principles and approved by AG’s office
o Memorandum of Principles forwarded to the Minister for presentation to Cabinet
Decentralisation of Seed Services: o Identification of sites (4)
ANNEX 16: NATIONAL STATUS QUARANTINE AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES – Malawi
Introduction The Malawi Plant Quarantine System is under the umbrella of the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), also called Malawi Plant Protection Services (MPPS), and it is within the Department of Agricultural Research Services in the Ministry of Agriculture. It comprises a number of stations including various research stations, border posts, other service centres and two Post-entry Plant Quarantine Stations located at Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station in the Southern Region and Chitedze Research station in the Central Region. Malawi has two international airports (Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Chileka International Airport in Blantyre). However, over 90% of the country’s imports and exports are moved through land borders. There are 10 land border posts out of which only seven are manned by plant health inspectors.
The activities of the quarantine system are decentralized in the country’s three major agricultural research stations; Bvumbwe, Chitedze and Lunyangwa. Inspectors based at these research stations provide phytosanitary services to plant importers and exporters from the surrounding areas. Currently, the country has 21 MPPS Malawi Plant Protection Services members based at various research stations and border posts.
Imports and Exports The importation of plants, including seeds, is regulated by the Plant Protection Act (1969) (Import Regulations) while exports are regulated by Export Regulations under the same Act. Under this Act, all prospective importers of plants are required to apply for a plant import permit. Depending on the plant species being imported and the place of origin, an import permit may be issued with or without restrictions or, in some cases, the importation may be denied. On the other hand, all exporters of plants and their products are required to obtain a plant import permit from the NPPO of the importing country, which may demand a phytosanitary certificate from the NPPO of the exporting country.
Table 1: Seed Exports to SADC Member States from January 2011 to December 2011
Commodity Quantity in metric tonnes (mt)
Maize 109323
Maize seeds 898
Pigeon pea 120887
Sesame 26
Bean 0.74
Chickpea 221
Cotton 251
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Finger millet 60
Groundnut 10994
Sorghum 88
Soyabean 10496
Sunflower 2852
Table 2: Seed Imports from SADC member states
Commodity Quantity in metric tonnes (mt)
Maize (yellow) 9662
Wheat 132109
Maize seeds 25945
Cotton 1.73
Chickpeas 1.2
Sunflower 1857
Groundnut 204.8
There were also other crop seeds imported in small quantities. These included: soybean, tobacco, potato, pigeon pea, bean, cowpea and sweet potato. Quarantine Pests Malawi’s staple food crop is maize while tobacco is the main cash crop. Since November 1991, the harvested maize crop has come under attack by the Larger Grain Borer – LGB (Prostephanus truncatus) when the pest was accidentally introduced through food imports from neighboring Tanzania. Today LGB is so widespread that it accounts for over an estimated 30% maize crop loss in storage. Due to the cosmopolitan distribution of the pest in the country, it is no longer considered a pest of quarantine importance. However, the recent occurrence of Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium) in Tanzania poses a threat to Malawi seeds, particularly oilseeds in storage. Pre-export Phytosanitary Inspections and Issue of Phytosanitary Certificates No fees are charged for all phytosanitary inspections. However, exporters are required to pay MK500.00 (five hundred Malawi Kwacha) for each copy of phytosanitary certificate issued. This is an equivalent of USD 3.00. Issue of Plant Import Permits All importers of plants, including seeds, are charged a plant import permit application fee of MK250 (two hundred and fifty Malawi Kwacha) which is equivalent to about USD 1.50. Money realized from phytosanitary activities is treated as Government revenue. Therefore, it is deposited into Government Account No. 1. Malawi’s alignment to SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed System
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The Plant Protection Act of 1969 is very old. As one way of attempting to align Malawi’s Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures to SADC AND SPS agreements, the Act is being reviewed. The first draft of the amended Act was completed and submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Use of SADC Pest Lists Malawi NPPO is already using the SADC harmonized pest lists to facilitate seed trade between member states and also between states from outside the region. These were adopted as they appear in the booklet titled Technical Agreements on Harmonization of Regulations in the SADC Region 2008. The pest list is being used as a guide in the preparation of phytosanitary documents. Procurement of equipment No equipment has been procured for Malawi NPPO. The following equipment is still required: - Sampling spears - Specimen tubes - Internet facility Training No training has been provided to any NPPO member under the SADC Harmonization Programme. However, training is still required for plant health inspectors and managers. CHALLENGES. a) Low infrastructural development such as offices/laboratories at border posts. b) Lack of office facilities such as computers for communications, telephones, fax, photocopiers
etc. and basic laboratory equipment for inspectors. c) Inadequate human capacity and training opportunities. d) Inadequate mobility facilities. e) Inadequate operational funds. f) Outdated legislation and legal framework
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ANNEX 17: NATIONAL STATUS QUARANTINE AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES – Swaziland Alignment to SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures
Quarantine & Phytosanitary matters are governed by the Plant Control Act 1981.
Alignment coincided with the review of this Act
New Bill is the Plant Health Protection Bill o Drafted through technical & financial assistance by FAO
Min. of Agriculture has made final comments to Attorney General’s chambers
Alignment will covered as regulations under the new Act.
Major changes will be in the pest list and the SADC version of the certificates NPPO members of staff
The NPPO is within the Department of Agric. Research and Specialists Services
The NPPO draws most expertise drawn from DARSS
There is strong collaboration with the University
No staff solely dedicated to NPPO
Proposal to have independent NPPO has been approved by MoA,
The NPPO is established by the new Bill (National Plant Health Inspectorate Services)
NPPO members of staff
Recruitment of staff also been approved by the Ministry of Public Service concerned and budgeted for in the 2012/13 financial year.
Currently inspection at ports of entry delegated Vet. staff
There is proposal for review of manning border post Hectares of seed crops inspected (2011)
ZM 521 on a 10 ha – Lesibovu
ZM 309 on 3 ha – Tubungu
ZM 611 on 2 ha – Bumbeni
ZM 611 on 2 ha – SWADE Use of SADC pest lists
Process to incorporate SADC pest list into national list is on going Equipment procured
Microscopes
Orbital shaker
Magnetic stirrer
Laboratory incubator
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Balances
Moisture meters
Chest freezer
Colony counters
Laminar flow cabin
Autoclave Equipment still required
The procured equipment was delivered just before the project team went for MTR.
Equipment still to be unpacked.
A list of additional requirement equipment is still to be compiled Training
Conducted: Trained 40 community seed producers
Required: o New staff members: Basic phytosanitary principles and procedures, the SADC protocols
and seed inspections o Ports of entry staff: dealing with seed at the ports of entry. o Policy makers and Senior MoA Executive: Understanding the protocol.
New Developments
MoA is in the process of recruiting NPPO staff
Outcomes of the MTR o Alignment process need more effort and time o Community seed production seem to have over taken policy alignment. o There is need for intensive engagement with MoA executive in the project activities
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ANNEX 18: NATIONAL STATUS QUARANTINE AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES – Zambia
Progress towards alignment to the SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for seed systems
Working with Seed authority in the field
Collaboration with stakeholders at border posts e.g. Customs, SCCI, Agribusiness
Continuous PRA for importation of seed
Number of NPPO members of staff
Head Office o Total 9-seven officers two technicians o Support staff- one secretary, one office assistant and 2 drivers.
Satellite labs o KKIA –one officer o Head Office- two officers
Border points o 24 = 4 officers, eighteen technicians, one Office Assistant and one driver o 4 Other Plant Protection specialists
Seed crop inspection 2011
o Hectarage - 10887.45Ha
Seed crops grown o Maize, soya beans, ornamental flowers, okra, Beans, G/nuts, Eggplants, Sorghum, & millet
Companies o Seedco, Monsanto, Zamseed, Pioneer Du pont, Pannar
Production areas o Central, C/belt, Lusaka & Southern provinces
Seed crop inspections 2012
o Hectarage - 6928Ha
Seed crops grown o Maize Soya beans, Impwa & Sorghum
Companies o Seed co, Monsanto, Zamseed, Pioneer Du pont, Pannar
Production areas o Central, C/belt, Lusaka & Southern provinces
Use of SADC pest lists
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When doing Pest Risk Analysis
When facilitating trade
Look out for pests not found in the region and Africa
Equipment procured COMRAP
Stereoscopes, microscopes, micro ovens, refrigerator, magnetic stir, autoclave, support stand, 50litre bottle, laboratory trolley, first Aid kit, glass microscope slides, spatulas, forceps, Petri dishes, Dissecting pins, wash bottles, Flasks, Beakers, filter paper, parafilm, agricultural inspectors kit, magnifying class, weeping net, sterile cryogenic vials, wags, aquatron water still, freezer, phyta jars, adjustable micro pipettes, balance, electronic grain counter, desiccators, vacuum pick up and control valve, planting head
HPLC- Aflatoxins detection o pesticide residue o Heavy Metals
IITA-Cassava disease project
PCR
Lab equipment has been procured under AGRA project.
Equipment still needed
Expetrophometre for calibrating the HPLC
Laboratory reagents
Nitrogen cooling equipment
Standards
Trainings
Attended o Cassava Viruses-biology, Diagnostic and Management by IITA o Quality Management training by SADC o WTO short trainings & ISPMs agreements
Provided o Fumigation training
Required o PRA o Seed legislation (Zambian and International) o Phytosanitary Legislations
- Plant Pest & Disease Act, - Noxious Weed Act - ISPMs
o Laboratory diagnostics - Pest identification and disease detection techniques - Quarantine pest of Seeds - Seed health testing - Sampling procedures
New developments
The procurement of the HPLC and the PCR
Increase in the number of international travels
Increased in-country quarantine by introduction of one in land border point to the existing two
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points (Mpika and Kapiri Mposhi)
Growth in the flower seed industry
Constructions border points for the introduction one stop border post
ANNEX 19: NATIONAL STATUS QUARANTINE AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES – Zimbabwe Progress towards alignment to the SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for seed systems
Have made consultations with the Attorney General’s office and have been advised on the legislative procedures to take to make amendments to regulations o Briefing Paper on the Legislative Process and the Domestication of Bilateral or International
Treaties and Agreements in Zimbabwe
Making plans for retyping the hard copy of existing legislation to in order to make amendments to it and produce a draft
National Plant Protection Organisation Staff Establishment
Head of Institute - 1
Research Officers - 4
C. Plant Health Inspectors - 2
Plant Health Inspectors - 108
Plant Health Assistants - 58
Technical assistants - 3
Laboratory Hands - 85 National Plant Protection Organisation
One main Laboratory with seed health testing lab and glasshouses at Mazowe Plant Quarantine Station
Mini laboratories at all border entry/ exit points (Lack of maintainance and consumables Border posts
17 Border entry/ exit points manned by Plant Health Inspectors
Plans to open up Mount Selinda and Kanyemba Borders with Mozambique and Zambia respectively
Seed Crop Field Inspections
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Seed Crop Field Inspections
Use of SADC Pest Lists
Have adopted the RATIONALISED PEST LISTS for trade in selected seed crops within and outside the SADC region into the National Pest list currently being used in Seed trade
Equipment Procurement
Motor bikes (twenty) procured by Government to assist in Phytosanitary field inspections and legislation enforcement
Quotations for laboratory equipment and consumables submitted to COMRAP
Nothing received for technical capacitating of Seed health Laboratories by both HaSSP or COMRAP projects
Vehicles (at least 2-4x4 vehicles required) Training
Attended o Two Officers trained on Monitoring and Evaluation at 2 workshops under the HaSSP project
at National level and Regional level (Swaziland)
Provided o Provided training to farmers (78) on Phytosanitary issues under the community seed
production project in Zaka o Also provided training of Agricultural Extension Personnel (35) from Zaka participating in the
community seed production project jointly with the SAMP project being run by GRM international
Required o Seed Health Analysis training for Plant Quarantine Officers and Inspectors o Training on Integrated pest and disease control in Seed Production o Training on Pest Risk Analysis
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New Developments
In the process of trying to establish an electronic permit management system linking the PQS head office, Border entry/exit points, relevant institutions in the Ministry, and related Authorities
Established a National Plant Protection Steering Committee to assist The NPPO on SPS Issue. Sub-committeee specific to key areas are formed from the main committee
Approaching the Attorney General Office via the P.S office to ratify with the IPPC ANNEX 20: RECOMMENDATIONS BY PHYTOSANITARY GROUP COUNTRY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: TRAINING 1
COUNTRY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: TRAINING 2
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COUNTRY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
