AGRA Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) hosted representatives from over 11 National Seed Regulatory Agencies in Africa, for a learning session in Tanzania, in July 2024.

The aim of the workshop was to provide a platform for discussion, learning, and collaboration among peers and participants to improve regulatory practices and compliance. The countries shared the status of their national seed regulatory frameworks, seed certification models, challenges and opportunities enabling learning from each other. The sessions garnered a lot of discussions and negotiations for further learning visits. Key highlights coming from the forum, reflected on opportunities for intervention to bridge pertinent challenges.

At the same time, agri-led digital companies that support seed systems digitalization including MPedigree-Kenya, Ishirika and Quincewood- Tanzania showcased their successes and challenges in the countries they support. Almost all the countries except Burkina Faso do not have adequate numbers of public seed inspectors to ensure all the requisite seed inspections and certification, to ensure quality seed enters the market. The findings and recommendations from AGRA SeedSAT [1]assessment carried out in 11 AGRA focus countries under-pinned concurrence from the experts.

Reducing the personnel gap in the seed inspection

Another key challenge discussed was the varying levels of regulatory agents’ decentralization across countries. For example, Ghana has 45 public seed inspectors to inspect (four times) more than 50,000 hectares of land and Malawi has 32 public seed inspectors. This situation evidenced across many African countries, has necessitated most governments to change their regulations to enable the training and certification of private sector seed inspectors to help reduce personnel gap. Private sector inspectors attached to seed companies can ensure internal quality control so that even if the public sector cannot make the inspections quality seed is released to the market.

Decentralization of seed regulatory agencies

TOSCI in Tanzania has benefited from decentralization of its services, hence improving the efficiency of inspection, and reducing delays in seed certification. Other countries still face a few bottlenecks more due to centralized structures, resulting in slower certification processes. Private-public partnerships, including engaging private seed inspectors (PSIs), is amongst the solutions to reduce delays and increase efficiencies in seed inspection, and therefore ensure farmers access to quality seed. A private seed inspector from Rwanda shared the model used in their country where the private seed inspectors are paid by One Acre Fund as the regulations for the model are still being developed by the government. Additionally, market surveillance has proven essential in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and protecting seed quality throughout the supply chain. Regular training and policy reviews are necessary to address issues such as breeder and farmer rights, as well as accountability and traceability in seed production.

Role of digital tools in combating counterfeit seeds

Digital tools are playing an increasingly critical role in combating the proliferation of counterfeit seeds by engaging farmers directly in the seed verification process. These tools enhance the seed certification system’s efficiency, bringing faster action, and improved accuracy in traceability, real time tracking monitoring, cost-reduction and digital inclusion for instance, the NASC Seed Codex scratch off tag used in Nigeria, TOSCI seed label in Tanzania’s and AgroTrack online system run by KEPHIS in Kenya  have bolstered farmer confidence, leading to a reduction in counterfeit products and improved access to genuine, high-quality seeds. The example of Agro-track system, a partnership between KEPHIS and mPedigree is helping farmers in verifying seed authenticity. The system is mandatory for all the seed companies operating in Kenya and has over 75 seed companies continuously using the system since its inception. Agrotrack’s traceability program captures more than 100 million agro-input products per annum.

By empowering farmers and ensuring transparency, these systems support seed quality assurance processes, helping to identify and promote adoption of quality seed. Many other countries are making significant progress in adopting digital tools for seed tracking and certification. Some countries still face challenges due to weak policies, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of harmonization with international standards. A common theme across all countries represented was the need for stronger internal quality control, better infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure a robust and reliable seed system.

The Road ahead

Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Weak policies, weak regulations, and laws to address culprits dealing with counterfeit seeds, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of harmonization with international standards persist in some countries. There is a need for continuous farmers awareness campaigns, seed companies to continuously train their staff to avoid a breakdown of operations. State agencies and NGO’s need to collaborate with seed stakeholders in the fight against counterfeits. The workshop concluded with a unanimous call for stronger internal quality control, better infrastructure, and ongoing capacity-building initiatives to create a robust and reliable seed system.

The National Regulatory Agents Learning Workshop was a resounding success, paving the way for continued innovation, exchange of knowledge, and collaborations in seed system regulation. As participants returned home, they carried with them a renewed commitment to improving seed quality and food security across Africa.

Authors:
Dr. Rufaro Madakadze, Lead Capacity Building and Technical Services CESSA
David Situma Specialist Digital Learning Management CESSA, Zuhura Masiga Specialist Catalytic Grants CESSA

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[1] SeedSAT:  https://cessa.agra.org/analysis/