The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, is set to introduce the use and distribution of seed labels and certificates as a way of improving access to quality seeds in the region.
This is because more than 130 million people in the region are currently food insecure and experiencing chronic poverty and hunger for failure to get quality and improved seed.
Thee Assistant Secretary General in charge of Programmes at COMESA, Kipyego Cheluget, said out of 80 million small-holder farmers in the COMESA region, only 20% have access to quality and improved seed.
“The potential total seed market in COMESA is at two million metric tonnes of quality and improved seed,” he said.
“However, the region is currently producing and accessing less than 520, 000 metric tonnes of quality and improved seed. This has continued to impact negatively on the people.”
This challenge, he says, is attributed to the fact that, the regional seed market is fragmented into small national markets, whereby each country operates its own seed policies and regulations different from other COMESA Member States.
As a result, seed companies enter any of the national seed markets available. This is not only costly to the private sector but also results in prolonged delays before good quality seed can find its way to the farmers.
