1. Agricultural Productivity and Markets Thematic Area FANRPAN Partners’ Meeting 13 June 2011 Pretoria, South Africa

2. 2 Challenges and Constraints Low agricultural productivity is a major challenge amongst smallholder farmers due in part to: Low access to technology  2.5% of African smallholder farmers use improved seed  Africa’s seed trade amounts to less than 2% of the global seed trade High post-harvest losses  Physical grain losses (prior to processing) amount to 10 - 20 %  Valued at around $4 billion annually Poor input and output market linkages and marketing information  unstructured markets, disorganised supply chains, erratic price fluctuations

3. Seed Security in SADC Challenge  In SADC farmers remain seed insecure due in part to  different seed laws and regulations,  procedures which hinder the timely movement of seed across borders Solution  Harmonization of seed policies, laws, regulations and procedures into a unified strategy with the aim of increasing the flow of seed across national borders. Impact  This will increase the choice of quality seed available to farmers, leading to increased productivity, income and food security.

4. 1987: Proposed in the Danagro study of national seed systems 4 3 2 1 History of Seed Harmonization in SADC 2007: Three SADC Seed Harmonization Protocols finalized and endorsed 2010: MOU for the implementation of SADC seed regulatory system signed 1988 - 2003: 11 regional meetings and five national workshops on seed harmonisation

5. SADC Seed Security Network Project (SSSN1) Launch  SSSN 1 was launched in July 2001 as a unit within the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) directorate of the SADC secretariat Aim  To contribute to policy dialogue and formulation, culminating in elimination of trade barriers that are hindering intra-regional seed trade. Funding From 2004-2006 the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) successfully funded SSSN 1.

6. SADC Seed Security Network (SSSN) Outputs A Harmonised Seed Regulatory system with 3 components i. Variety registration and release-to increase the choice of varieties available to farmers; ii. Seed certification and quality control-to improve seed quality and allow more efficient movement of seed in the region; and iii. Phytosanitary and quarantine measures for seed- to enhance safer and faster movement of seed  Often time regional protocols are developed but not implemented.  FANRPAN is conducting a pilot project in an attempt to ensure that the regional protocol on seed policy harmonization is domesticated and implemented in order to benefit farmers.

7. Harmonized Seed Security Project (HaSSP)

8. The Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP) 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)  Funding: Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)

9. Project Objectives 1. Alignment of variety release policies in four Member States with SADC protocols 2. Alignment of seed certification policies in four Member States with SADC protocols 3. Alignment of phytosanitary policies in four Member States with SADC protocols 4. Strengthening of seed certification facilities (equipment). 5. Assessment of institutional and individual capacity needs, and capacity strengthening along the seed value chain.

10. Project Status February 2010 - Official launch of the Project at Regional level in Pretoria March 2010 - Official launch of national project activities in Malawi May 2010 - Common visioning regional planning meeting held in Johannesburg FANRPAN Board Chairman with SDC Deputy Resident Director and the Swiss Deputy Ambassador at the official launch in Pretoria

11. National Planning Workshops CountryDate Official Opening Zimbabwe 30 June –2 July 2010 Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Mechanisation: Mr N. Masoka Zambia14-16 July 2010 Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives: Mr A.K. Banda Swaziland28-30 July 2010 Minister of Agriculture: Mr C. Dlamini Malawi4-6 August 2010The Controller of Agriculture, Extension and Technical Services: Dr J. Luhanga

12. Committee of HaSSP Seed Elders  FANRPAN has constituted a committee of seed elders which provides support to the project.  Membership of the committee comprises :  Former Ministers and Permanent Secretaries from the project countries.  Members of the Private Sector who are champions on seed issues;  Experienced farmers and researchers.  TORs  Seed Elders provide strategic guidance and oversight to the HaSSP Project.  Advocacy support to ensure HaSSP contributes to regional integration.  Resolve conflicts between stakeholder groups.  Resolve strategic or political challenges that may arise.

13. HaSSP Seed Elders Zambia Seed Elder, Dr. S. Mundia Malawi Seed Elder, Mr. E. Musople Malawi Seed Elder, Dr. E Sibale Zambia Seed Elder, Mr. W. Chibasa

14. HaSSP Seed Elders Zimbabwe Seed Elder, Dr. S Muchena Swaziland Seed Elder, Mrs T Goodday Swaziland Seed Elder, Hon O Dlamini Zimbabwe Seed Elder, Dr. L Mhlanga

15. Key Engagements Engagement of SADC FANR Secretariat in the company of HaSSP Seed Elders (Gaborone) – September 2010. Presentation of HaSSP at the technical meeting preceding the SADC Ministers of Agriculture Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia- November 2010. FANRPAN HaSSP Seed Elders with SADC FANR Secretariat Director, Mme Nyirenda and Dr. Simon Mwale, Seeds Programme Officer

16. Seed Certification -A key area that HaSSP is focusing on is seed certification. Aim: To produce seed with a minimum acceptable genetic purity and specified physical quality in terms of germination, moisture and purity [standards are specified in legislation]. Adherence to seed certification procedures by seed growers is required in seed laws and is monitored during:  Crop inspections in the field by govt. authorised seed inspectors, and  Seed testing in the laboratory by govt. authorised seed analysts. FANRPAN commissioned an audit of the seed certification institutions in the 4 pilot countries. The results of the audit will enable FANRPAN to identify institutional and human capacity gaps and training needs. Breeders Certified SeedBasic Seed

17. Seed certification audits CountryMalawiSwazilandZambiaZimbabwe No. of satellite labs 3050 Amount of seed tested/year in MT 20 0006 00055 00036 000 LegislationTo amend Staffing levelsNot adequate Adequate TrainingTraining needed No training program Refresher courses needed. No training manuals

18. Seed certification audits (cont) CountryMalawiSwazilandZambiaZimbabwe Official labels, Certificates and SADC Seals None Electronic data base None Lab equipment Most equipment is out-dated. Ovens not working. Table germinators, incubation chambers, grinding mill and moisture meter. Fume hood too small Seed blower; table germinator, fume hood, and sieves. Germination chambers, and planting substrate. Purity analysis room too small. HandbooksISTA rulesNoneISTA rules

19. HaSSP Training workshops Participants of the Malawi M& E Workshop held in Lilongwe Participants of the Zambia M& E Workshop held in Kabwe Participants of the Swaziland DUS VCU Training Workshop Participants of the Zimbabwe DUS VCU Training Workshop

20. Capacity Building Workshops Farmers during seed production training in Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia Ms Chakanyuka (Seed Services Zimbabwe), training farmers in Zaka. Farmers during seed production training in Zaka, Zimbabwe Farmers during seed production training in Shewula, Swaziland

21. Overview of Community seed enterprises

22. HaSSP Field Days HaSSP Field Day in Zaka, ZimbabweHaSSP Field Day in Kampiri Mposhi, Zambia HaSSP Field Day in Tubungu, Swaziland HaSSP Field Day in Mvera, Malawi

23. 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.

24. Next Steps: 2011-2012 During the next year the focus will be on:  Re-alignment of seed legislation  Re-equipping of institutions: a) Procurement of small scale seed processing and storage equipment for smallholder seed producing communities b) Procurement of vehicles for seed certification institutes  Training will continue  Review and learning workshops.

25. Thank You

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