Govt launches COMESA seed regulations

GOVERNMENT yesterday launched the National Domestication of the COMESA Harmonised Seed Regulations to provide support towards improvement of regional seed and food security.

Speaking at the launch in Harare, COMESA representative Mrs Gizila Takavarasha said ministers of agriculture in 2008 directed the regional body to look into the harmonisation of seed regulation standards and laws so as to facilitate seed trade across borders and to increase agricultural productivity.

“The aim of the harmonising of the COMESA Seed Regulations was to increase regional trade on seed and now that Zimbabwe has domesticated the regional COMESA seed regulations, thus creating an enabling environment for regional seed trade, there is need to work with seed companies to realise the benefits of this initiative,” she said.

She said the Harmonised Seed Regulations domestication launch created awareness to all stakeholders, especially seed companies, of removal of barriers to seed trade.

In a speech read on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary Mr Ringson Chitsiko, Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Dr Joseph Made said the major goal of the regulations is to enhance quality seed and new improved varieties.

He said the country’s seed commands a huge demand hence implementation of the COMESA regulations will bring in the much needed foreign currency. “This launch marks the beginning of the implementation of COMESA Harmonised Seed Regulations, which have already been promulgated in Zimbabwe under the two pieces of Statutory Instruments, S1 141 of 2016 and S1 of 2016,” said Minister Made.

Minister Made said the nation has achieved its aim of ensuring food self-sufficiency at household level and improved varieties are a foundation of quality seed production.

“The launch is taking place at a time the country is celebrating achievements registered by the Special Maize Programme for Import Substitution, with the country achieving about 2 500 000 metric tonnes of cereal grains, with maize being the major one.

“The achievements encapsulate the Ten-Point for Economic Growth as enunciated by His Excellency, President R.G Mugabe, in his State of the Nation address on August 25, 2015,” he said.

He urged farmers to continue scouting their fields for pests and diseases during production and to adhere to laid down legislation for effective pest management.

He added that there is need to raise national and regional awareness about seed security and its beneficial effects on food security, poverty reduction, environmental protection, safer trade and economic development.

“Seed production, therefore needs urgent intensification to increase seed exports in the COMESA region,” he said.