HaSSP Dr. Bellah Mpofu 3 September 2012 Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania SEED POLICY HARMONIZATION REFLECTION WORKSHOP 1

Policy Challenges  In SADC farmers remain seed insecure due in part to  different seed laws, regulations and procedures which hinder the timely movement of seed across borders Solution  Harmonization of seed policies with the aim of increasing the flow of seed across national borders.  SSSN Phase 1 was launched as a unit within the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) directorate of SADC  Aim: To contribute to policy dialogue and formulation.

Outputs of the SADC Seed Security Network 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 iv. An MOU on implementation which was signed in February 2010 Countries yet to sign are: Angola, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

The Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP) FANRPAN is conducting a pilot project to ensure that provisions of the SADC Seed Regulatory System are incorporated into national policies and implemented in order to benefit farmers.  Duration (Phase II): Four years (2010 – 2013)  Funding: Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)

HaSSP Outputs & Outcomes 1. Domestication and implementation of the SADC protocol 2. Enhanced availability of varieties 3. Increased investment in the seed sector 4. Better seed quality- improved facilities and skills 5. Reduced seed importation costs as re- testing of imported seed will not be necessary 6. Organised and trained small holder farmers who can act as seed growers for seed companies 7. A common seed certification scheme, will allow more efficient movement of seed in the region 5

Alignment of National Legislation HaSSP is providing technical support to key national stakeholders to align national seed policies to the SADC protocol. Task teams constituted by national partners have been commissioned to draft or amend legislation (as required). Legislative drafts for seed variety release; seed certification; and quarantine and phytosanitary measures are the immediate outputs expected. 6

HaSSP Policy Study FANRPAN commissioned a policy study in June 2012, Objectives 1. To examine the standard domestication processes followed in the pilot countries; 2. To assess the challenges faced by National task Teams in policy alignment. 7

HaSSP Policy Study The results of the study are: expected to provide technical guidance on the way forward to enhance national policy alignment processes; and To enhance the capacity of country teams to expedite national policy alignment processes. 8

Objectives of the Workshop Reflect on legislation alignment processes underway in the pilot countries. Share experiences on how to overcome challenges related to legislation alignment. Reflect on progress made in the smallholder seed enterprises. Facilitate country team discussions to chart the way forward. 9

THANK YOU 10