Seed supply constraints in Southern and Eastern Africa

Certified seed use in the SADC region is largely restricted to maize and cotton. For other crops, the majority of smallholder farmers use farm-saved seed, and the use of improved varieties is correspondingly limited. The reasons for low seed sales of improved varieties include high cost (both real and perceived) of seed and associated inputs, and unreliability of returns. More important, administrative or institutional inadequacies (e.g. public sector monopolies, poor incentives for the private sector, lack of policy attention to "minor" crops) limit the production and sale of improved seed. These inadequacies must be resolved through discussion involving both producers and users of seed. In addition, seed regulations (e.g. variety release and certification procedure) are often cumbersome and expensive, adn need to be simplified and also harmonized across different countries in the region. Until that is achieved, a transitional arrangement such as the FAO Quality Declared Scheme could be considered. Information exchange is needed among different countries in the region on the performance and potential suitability of imported varieties. Seed certification procedures must be modified to reduce delays and costs, and ensure that quality standards are not excessively strict. These changes could be accelerated by established a regional seed fund to finance reviews, seminars, and seed networks, and provide support to NGOs, cooperatives, and farmers' groups.