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Zimbabwe's seed certification scheme to be reviewed
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Zimbabwe's agriculture sector is set for a significant overhaul as stakeholders organize a write shop aimed at realigning and updating the country's Seed Certification Scheme. This initiative, part of the Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Facility (ZEFPF), is designed to enhance the country's agricultural economy and increase its competitiveness on a global scale.
The ZEFPF is a project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development. The write shop, which will be held as part of Component 3.1 of the ZEFPF, aims to adopt international best practices in seed certification and integrate them into Zimbabwe's regulatory framework. The goal is to harmonize national seed standards with global and regional systems, ensuring smoother trade, better compliance, and high-quality seed production for both local and export markets.
Currently, Zimbabwe follows international seed certification frameworks, including those of the OECD Seed Schemes, the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), and regulatory systems within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). However, the country's Seed (Certification Scheme) Notice of 2000 (S.I. 213 of 2000) has become outdated and is no longer in line with the evolving global standards.
Patrice Talla, the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of modernizing the Seed Certification Scheme. He noted that updating the system would not only help Zimbabwe align with international standards but also improve market access for local seed producers. Talla explained that a modernized certification scheme would contribute significantly to food security, increase productivity, and enhance resilience among farmers.
One of the key challenges identified by Talla is the inconsistency between local and international seed standards, which creates barriers for seed exports. Differences in requirements, such as isolation distances, permissible off-types, and seed-borne pathogen limits, have prevented Zimbabwean seed lots from meeting the criteria of foreign markets. Addressing these gaps, Talla said, would allow Zimbabwean seed producers to trade more freely in regional and global markets.
The write shop will address these challenges by focusing on several critical reforms. It will work on ensuring Zimbabwean seed certification meets the highest standards across OECD, COMESA, SADC, and national frameworks, and will seek to establish systems that facilitate seamless trading of seed lots under these regulatory frameworks. The reform will also introduce more rigorous processes for agro-dealer registration, licensing, and control plot evaluations, as required under the OECD standards. Additionally, the write shop will focus on tightening compliance and enforcement by enhancing punitive measures for those involved in the sale of counterfeit or fake seeds.
Another major component of the reform is the integration of new technologies. The write shop will explore the potential of genetic testing, blockchain for traceability, and advanced data management systems to improve the efficiency and transparency of seed certification.
Moreover, the write shop will address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, who often face high costs and complex procedures when accessing certified seed markets. Recommendations from the write shop will include streamlining certification procedures, subsidizing costs, and expanding training programs to make the system more accessible and inclusive.
By addressing these issues, the updated Seed Certification Scheme is expected to make it easier for Zimbabwe to do business in the seed sector. This will likely lead to increased trade volumes and greater compliance with international and regional systems.
Talla pointed out that the revision of Zimbabwe's Seed Certification Scheme is particularly timely, given the growing need for food security and resilience in the face of climate change and shifting global agricultural trends. The reform aligns with the broader objectives of the ZEFPF, which include increasing certified seed and fertilizer availability for 180,000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of whom are women.
With the proposed reforms, Zimbabwe is poised to strengthen its agricultural value chains, improve seed quality assurance, and boost its participation in regional and international seed trade markets. The success of this process will rely on continued collaboration between government agencies, seed producers, legal experts, and international organizations to ensure the effective implementation and widespread adoption of the new certification system.
"This is not just about regulatory compliance; it is about ensuring that Zimbabwean farmers, especially smallholders, have access to high-quality seeds that can improve yields and livelihoods," Talla concluded.
The ZEFPF is a project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development. The write shop, which will be held as part of Component 3.1 of the ZEFPF, aims to adopt international best practices in seed certification and integrate them into Zimbabwe's regulatory framework. The goal is to harmonize national seed standards with global and regional systems, ensuring smoother trade, better compliance, and high-quality seed production for both local and export markets.
Currently, Zimbabwe follows international seed certification frameworks, including those of the OECD Seed Schemes, the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), and regulatory systems within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). However, the country's Seed (Certification Scheme) Notice of 2000 (S.I. 213 of 2000) has become outdated and is no longer in line with the evolving global standards.
Patrice Talla, the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of modernizing the Seed Certification Scheme. He noted that updating the system would not only help Zimbabwe align with international standards but also improve market access for local seed producers. Talla explained that a modernized certification scheme would contribute significantly to food security, increase productivity, and enhance resilience among farmers.
One of the key challenges identified by Talla is the inconsistency between local and international seed standards, which creates barriers for seed exports. Differences in requirements, such as isolation distances, permissible off-types, and seed-borne pathogen limits, have prevented Zimbabwean seed lots from meeting the criteria of foreign markets. Addressing these gaps, Talla said, would allow Zimbabwean seed producers to trade more freely in regional and global markets.
The write shop will address these challenges by focusing on several critical reforms. It will work on ensuring Zimbabwean seed certification meets the highest standards across OECD, COMESA, SADC, and national frameworks, and will seek to establish systems that facilitate seamless trading of seed lots under these regulatory frameworks. The reform will also introduce more rigorous processes for agro-dealer registration, licensing, and control plot evaluations, as required under the OECD standards. Additionally, the write shop will focus on tightening compliance and enforcement by enhancing punitive measures for those involved in the sale of counterfeit or fake seeds.
Another major component of the reform is the integration of new technologies. The write shop will explore the potential of genetic testing, blockchain for traceability, and advanced data management systems to improve the efficiency and transparency of seed certification.
Moreover, the write shop will address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, who often face high costs and complex procedures when accessing certified seed markets. Recommendations from the write shop will include streamlining certification procedures, subsidizing costs, and expanding training programs to make the system more accessible and inclusive.
By addressing these issues, the updated Seed Certification Scheme is expected to make it easier for Zimbabwe to do business in the seed sector. This will likely lead to increased trade volumes and greater compliance with international and regional systems.
Talla pointed out that the revision of Zimbabwe's Seed Certification Scheme is particularly timely, given the growing need for food security and resilience in the face of climate change and shifting global agricultural trends. The reform aligns with the broader objectives of the ZEFPF, which include increasing certified seed and fertilizer availability for 180,000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of whom are women.
With the proposed reforms, Zimbabwe is poised to strengthen its agricultural value chains, improve seed quality assurance, and boost its participation in regional and international seed trade markets. The success of this process will rely on continued collaboration between government agencies, seed producers, legal experts, and international organizations to ensure the effective implementation and widespread adoption of the new certification system.
"This is not just about regulatory compliance; it is about ensuring that Zimbabwean farmers, especially smallholders, have access to high-quality seeds that can improve yields and livelihoods," Talla concluded.
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