2025 ReSAKSS - Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Development of Seed Systems in sub-Saharan Africa: Dr. Moti Jaleta

Dr. Moti Jaleta, Principal Scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Transcript

1. Moti Jaleta & Walter Chivasa - CIMMYT Dawit Alemu - Stichting Wageningen Research (Ethiopia)
2. Introduction • Seed is a key input in crop production and a single input without which production is not possible. • Breeding programs in national and international research institutes and seed companies are releasing a wider range of improved varieties with the potential to adapt to climate change and resilient to (a)biotic shocks. • Getting these newly released varieties to farmers’ hand needs a functional and inclusive seed system. • The functionality and inclusiveness of seed systems is governed by the policies and regulatory frameworks in each country and region.
3. Why Policy and Regulatory Frameworks? • Policies provide an overarching structure that defines: – How the seed systems function – Clarify the roles of both the private and public sectors in the seed production, distribution, and sales. • Regulatory Frameworks help in ensuring the development and use of high-quality seeds by establishing standards for quality control, pricing mechanisms, market competition, etc. • Create an enabling environment for a sustainable and efficient seed system.
4. Countries Covered in the Review • East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania • Southern Africa: Zimbabwe, Zambia • West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria • Central Africa Institutes • EAA • KEPHIS • TOSCI • EAC • COMESA • SADC • SCCI • ECOWAS • WAEMU • NSC • INRA/INERA, • CEMAC, …. Policies Laws Regulations Acts Directives, etc…..
5. Questions addressed through the review The analysis addresses three critical questions related to policy and regulatory frameworks: 1. What is the expected development pathway for designing and implementing policies and regulations that make seed systems responsive to smallholder farmers’ demands for improved, high-quality seeds at affordable prices? 2. How long does it take for policies to influence changes in seed system development? 3. In addition to having proper policy and regulatory frameworks in place, what are the other key aspects of an enabling environment that potentially limit the development of seed systems in the developing world?
6. Some Identified Gaps • Directives on registering farmers’ varieties • Regulation of emergency seed supplies • Seed laboratory testing and administration • Self- and third-party seed certification • Seed counterfeit control • Unfair competition between public and private seed companies, etc.
7. Conclusions • Policies favoring market liberalization and private sector development – ? Lock out marginalized farmers from the system? – Unfair competition to local seed systems, at least in the short run. – Hybrid seed system (Public + Private) as a pathway till locals develop the capacity to compete.
8. Conclusions • Use of emerging technologies like digital platforms and blockchains for seed traceability. – Improve information dissemination about the supply of and demand for improved varieties and quality seeds, thereby facilitating more efficient seed marketing systems and reducing the incidence of seed carryover (Nayak et al. 2021). – A blockchain approach would help in the monitoring of seed quality along the supply chain, ensure seed traceability during transactions, and reduce the circulation of counterfeit seeds (Shao and Marwa 2024; Ahuja et al. 2024).
9. Conclusions • Instituting innovative policy and regulatory frameworks is a key first step for the development of seed systems that would support the transformation of agrifood systems in SSA through improved seed technologies. – Strengthening public, private, and producer partnerships at both local and regional levels for effective implementation of policies and regulations targeting improved seed production, quality, and marketing, as well as enhancing farmers’ access to quality seeds at affordable prices. – Inter-country seed enterprises would need harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure the protection of intellectual property and boost inter- country trade in quality seeds.
10. Summary • Effective seed systems require coherent laws on variety release, quality assurance, IP rights, and market organization. • Diverse reform paths taken by countries—from state-led systems to more liberalized, private-sector–driven models to pluralistic approaches that recognize the role of informal and farmer- managed seed channels. • Regional harmonization under the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and other regional economic communities (RECs) has progressed, but implementation gaps persist. • The chapter argues for seed policies that balance regulation and competition, promote climate-resilient and locally adapted varieties, and protect marginalized farmers. Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems
11. Happy Reading! Appreciate any feedback at m.jaleta@cgiar.org
12. Thank you for your interest!