Implementation of the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System: Progress and Future Prospects, presented by K.C. Kawonga, Interim Coordinator, SADC Seed Centre, at at The 2013 Southern Africa Regional Dialogue on Agriculture, 05-06 November 2013

1. Implementation of the SADC
Harmonized Seed Regulatory
System: Progress and Future
Prospects
K.C. Kawonga
Interim Coordinator
SADC Seed Centre

2. Introduction
• The quality of seed is one of key
determinants of crop yield meaning
• The availability of quality seed affect crop
productivity and food security
• Facilitation of seed trade would positively
impact on regional seed security

3. Introduction Cont.
• Recognize A dual seed system : Informal and
Formal sector.
• Both of which need proportionate
development intervention support.

4. The Objectives
• Inform the stakeholders in the seed value
chain on the progress and future prospects of
implementation of the harmonized seed
regulation in the SADC region.
• Get feedback from stakeholders on how best
the Zambian seed sector can domesticate the
implementation of MOU on the HSRS

5. What is SADC doing to transform the Seed
System in the Region?

6. Direction of Change
Current
•segregated, small, and
difficult to access
• National variety testing and
release
Effect
• Limit investment by
entrepreneur
• Unnecessary repeated
testing
• Increase cost of variety
release
SADC HSRS
• Addresses three areas:
• a) Common variety
testing and release
• diversity of national
regulatory systems
• Delays farmers
access to new improved
• b) Common seed
certification and quality
assurance
• Variable national standard
in SPS, seed certification
and quality assurance
• complicates intra
regional trade
• c) Common sanitary &
Phytosanitary
• d) New plant variety
protection (PBR)

7. Process
Stakeholder
consultations
Member States
Regional
International
organisations:
ICRISAT; CYMMT
Farmer organisations
What it entails
a) Common variety testing and
release
•
b) Common seed certification
and quality assurance
B. Approved .by Council
(2007, 2009)
c) Common sanitary &
Phytosanitary measures
MOU on Implementation of SADC Seed Regulation
(+Technical agreements with Procedure manuals)
A) Development of
HSRS
Composition of HSRS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Test & release in 2 Member
states
Breeder’s own volition
apply for regional variety
release
Released Variety is
Registered on a SADC
Catalogue
Register seed crops
Pass field inspections &
Lab tests
Gets SADC certification
To access regional market
Agreed on common
disease and pest of
Regional importance
Field Seed Crop and seed
lot are inspected
Gets a SADC Certification

8. Progress
• HSRS was Approved by Council of Minister-2007
• MOU on the implementation of the Harmonized
seed regulatory system .was approved in May
2009
• 10th Member States signed the MOU June 2013
• The MOU entered into force on 7 July 2013
• Now the region can forge ahead with its
implementation.

9. Implementation
• National authorities will implement the
harmonization systems (Agreements)-based
the principle of subsidiarity
• The Systems make use of existing, national
facilities
• The SADC Secretariat (Seed Centre) simply
plays a coordinating and facilitating role.)
• Qualifying var: maize (41); G/nut (6); Beans
(8) etc.

10. Future Prospects
• The implementation process will begin with
Member States domesticating the regional
technical agreements into their respective
domes tic seed laws in order to effect the
HSRS technical agreements. The specific
activities will be centred on enforcement of
the agreed procedures and standards on
variety release, seed certification and
phytosantary measures.

11. Future Prospects
• Implementation the SADC Harmonization Systems
requires :
– Plant Variety Protection is introduced in more SADC
Member States,
– Plant breeders and seed companies will make increasing
use of the Systems
– Finance for HSRS implementation is mobilized
i) establishment of SADC Seed Centre

12. Conclusion
• The implementation of the HSRS offers
prospects to increase regional seed security
and improved agricultural productivity
through increased investment in variety
development that the expanded market
offers and ease intraregional movement of
safe seed especially during times of disasters.