FAO AND SEED SECURITY INITIATIVES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Prepared for the “FANRPAN – Harmonized Seed Security Project (HASSP)” Workshop May 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa

Functional and efficient seed delivery systems are critical to sustainable production intensification and productivity increase FAO AND SEED SECURITY INITIAVES

FAO’ s Contribution to strengthening seed systems in developing countries: Seed policy, strategy and programmes formulation or review Strengthening local seed production and supply systems Facilitating and coordinating seed procurement and distribution in an emergency to help in agricultural rehabilitation Seed related Seed information and knowledge management. FAO AND SEED SECURITY INITIAVES

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA To SADC 2003 – Initiation of the Harmonization of Seed Rules and Regulation with SADC Facilitating establishment of the SADC Seed Security Network IPPC – in the region FAO SFS is focal point for the IPPC Secretariat Together with SADC Plant Protection Technical Committee - Support countries to meet their IPPC obligations of e.g. reducing transboundary movement of insect pests and diseases (e.g. through seed and other planting materials) REGIONAL SUPPORT

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Plant Inspectors Handbook on Pests and Diseases Identification and Quarantine produced ( SADC, FAO, SACAU, COMMARK Trust with support from the USAID) To COMESA FAO is planning on carrying out some Seed Harmonisation work with COMESA REGIONAL SUPPORT

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Examples of Country Level support Botswana Privatisation of seed production activities of the Seed Multiplication Unit in the Department of Agricultural Research Study recommended: Privatization of the Seed Production Systems Development of a comprehensive Seed Policy in harmony with SADC framework Madagascar Support for the revitalization of the seed sub-sector in Madagascar for the production and use of quality seeds ( Appui pour la redynamisation du sous-secteur semencier malgache en vue de la production et de l’utilisation de semences de qualité)

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia Review of Seed Systems for Cotton, Cassava and Associated Crops. Recommendations made Eastern and Southern Africa Cassava Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CACESA) Strategic Framework 2009 (FAO and Partners) Comprehensively addressing production challenges to cassava with emphasis on management of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and the cassava brown streak virus (CBSV). Conservation Agriculture in various countries –Legume seed for rotations in Conservation Agriculture and other farming practices

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Germplasm (Seed/planting materials) needs assessments through e.g. CFSAMs and some targeted studies. Support to quality seed access by vulnerable households. Linking users with suppliers Community level production Supporting relevant partners to obtain quality seed for agricultural recovery activities Current Study to determine demand and supply in the region for the 2010/2011 season Supporting vulnerable farmers to recover and rebuild their production capacity after disasters

WHAT CAN FAO CONTRIBUTE TO THE HARMONIZATION PROCESS? FAO AND SEED SECURITY INITIAVES

Key areas of harmonization Variety release regulation Seed certification and standards Plant breeder’s rights Phytosanitary measures Seed trade regulations FAO AND SEED SECURITY INITIAVES

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Harness global science (genetics, technology, physiology, entomology, pathology, agronomy, biodiversity) to improve the seed systems Policy and legislation - Facilitate development/review of policies that support the whole seed systems value chain (international and regional cooperation, Guidelines for production and quality control standards, Guidelines for variety development and releases, Phytosanitary and Quarantine Capacity Systems; Certification etc)

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Seed systems Data, Information and knowledge management, sharing and coordination (statistics, regular and strategic regional assessments of demand and supply for seeds including targeted assessments after disasters) Fostering linkages among players (farmers, marketers, producers, breeders, policy and decision makers ……)

FAO AND SEED SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Economic – facilitatory (management, marketing, investment, finance, credit, improved movement of good quality seed movement across member states) Capacity building – facilitate across the value chain Sustainability is key

THANK YOU CONTACTS FOR SEED ISSUES IN FAO SOUTHERN AFRICA Dr. Joyce Mulila-Mitti FAO Sub- Regional Office for Southern Harare, Zimbabwe