Stakeholders in the agriculture sector are organising a write shop to examine, realign, and update Zimbabweโs Seed Certification Scheme, which is a major step in bolstering the countryโs agricultural economy and making it competitive.
The initiative is part of the Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Facility (ZEFPF), a project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
The Write Shop, to be held in line with Component 3.1 of the ZEFPF, seeks to adopt international best practices in seed certification and incorporate them into Zimbabweโs regulatory framework, whose goal is to harmonise national standards with international and regional seed systems to facilitate trade, improve compliance, provide high-quality seed production for local and export markets.
Zimbabweโs seed certification system currently subscribes to international and regional frameworks, including the OECD Seed Schemes, the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), and harmonised regulatory systems within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
However, the existing local framework, guided by the Seed (Certification Scheme) Notice 2000 (S.I 213 of 2000), has become outdated and misaligned with these evolving global standards.
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, Patrice Talla, explained the importance of this review process saying a modernised Seed Certification Scheme will not only strengthen Zimbabweโs compliance with international standards but also enhance market access for local seed producers.
โThis will contribute to improved food security, increased productivity, and resilience among farmers,โ Talla said in a press statement.
One of the key challenges identified is the inconsistency between local and international seed standards, which creates barriers to seed exports.
For instance, variations in quality requirements such as isolation distances, permissible off-types, and seed-borne pathogen limits have restricted Zimbabwean seed lots from meeting foreign market criteria.
Talla noted addressing these gaps will allow Zimbabwean seed producers to seamlessly trade across regional and global markets.
He added the Write Shop will focus on several critical areas for reform, including:
โAdoption of Best Practices that will make sure Zimbabwean seed certification meets the highest standards across OECD, COMESA, SADC, and national frameworks. Harmonisation of Certification Protocols where systems will be established that automatically accommodates the trading of seed lots under any of the four major regulatory frameworks,โ said the FAO official.
โStrengthening Variety Release Procedures where rigorous processes will be incorporated for agro-dealer registration, licensing, and control plot evaluations as required under the OECD system. Tightening Compliance and Enforcement by enhancing punitive measures for those who engage in the sale of counterfeit or fake seeds, with input from the Legal Department and the Attorney Generalโs office.โ
Talla added another reform will be integration of new technologies by exploring the use of genetic testing, blockchain for traceability, and data management systems to improve the efficiency and transparency of seed certification.
One of the critical concerns is also the accessibility of the certification process to smallholder farmers, with FAO noting that currently, high costs and complex procedures pose significant barriers, preventing many small-scale producers from accessing certified seed markets.
Recommendations from the Write Shop will include streamlining certification procedures, subsidising costs, and expanding farmer training programs to promote inclusivity.
By addressing these challenges, the revised Seed Certification Scheme is expected to enhance Zimbabweโs ease of doing business within the seed sector and foster increased trade volumes due to improved compliance with international and regional systems.
Talla said the revision of Zimbabweโs Seed Certification Scheme is a timely intervention, considering the pressing need for food security and resilience-building in the face of climate change and global agricultural shifts.
โThe initiative aligns with the broader objectives of ZEFPF, which include increasing certified seed and fertiliser availability for 180 000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of whom are women, and improving policy frameworks to support sustainable agricultural growth,โ said the FAO official.
With a reviewed and updated certification scheme, Zimbabwe is poised to strengthen its agricultural value chains, enhance seed quality assurance, boost its participation in regional and international seed trade markets.
If the reforms move forward, continued collaboration among government agencies, seed producers, legal experts, and international organisations will be crucial in making sure the new certification system is effectively implemented and widely adopted.
โThis is not just about regulatory compliance; it is about making sure that Zimbabwean farmers, especially smallholders, have access to high-quality seeds that can improve yields and livelihoods,โ Talla concluded.
