By Ncaba Ntshakala and Siphesihle Dlamini
Shocking!
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region is grappling with an enormous agricultural challenge, as highlighted in a recent workshop focused on creating awareness of the COMESA Aligned National Seed Laws and Regulations in Eswatini held at Bethel Court.
John Chambamakasa, speaking on behalf of COMESA, shed light on the alarming situation affecting millions of small-holder farmers across the region.
Chambamakasa revealed that out of the 90 million small-holder farmers in the COMESA region, only 20% have access to quality and improved seeds.
This critical shortfall has resulted in approximately 130 million people out of the total 610 million COMESA population remaining food insecure, experiencing chronic poverty and hunger.
The potential seed market in the COMESA region stands at 2 million metric tons (MT) of quality and improved seeds.
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However, the region is currently producing and accessing less than 500,000 MT, which is equivalent to a mere 2% of global seed production and value.
This severe gap in seed availability is stifling the agricultural potential of the region and leaving millions of people vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.
Again, Chambamakasa pointed out that the root of this challenge lies in the fragmentation of the regional seed market.
Each country within COMESA operates its own seed policies and regulations, which differ from those of other member states.
As a result, seed companies are forced to enter each national market separately, leading to significant costs and prolonged delays before quality seeds can reach small-scale farmers.
These delays have dire consequences, as farmers are left without access to the seeds they need to cultivate crops and sustain their livelihoods.
To address this issue, COMESA, through its Specialized Agency, the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), has introduced the COMESA Seed Trade Harmonisation Regulations.
The aim of these regulations is to unify the seed market across the region, making it easier for seed companies to operate and ensuring that farmers have timely access to quality seeds.
The COMESA Seed Harmonisation Implementation Plan (COMSHIP) has been established to expedite the implementation of these regulations at both national and regional levels.
Moreover, the overall goal of COMSHIP is to enhance seed production, reliability, and trade within the Southern and Eastern African (ESA) region, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the seed industry.
During the workshop, the ACTESA Agribusiness and Policy Advisor presented a detailed overview of COMSHIP where they emphasized its importance in overcoming the challenges currently faced by the region.
The workshop also helped in creating awareness of the existence of the COMESA Aligned National Seed Laws and Regulations, particularly those of Ethiopia and Eswatini.
By highlighting the status of COMSHIP at both the regional and national levels, the workshop sought to ensure that delegates were well-informed about the current state of the COMESA seed industry.
Furthermore, it provided a platform for national delegates to develop a roadmap for the implementation of the COMESA Aligned National Seed Laws and Regulations within their respective countries.
In addition to creating awareness and developing implementation strategies, the workshop also focused on identifying potential resources for aligning national seed laws with the COMESA Seed Trade Harmonisation Regulations.
This involves mobilizing resources from government institutions, the private sector, farmer organizations, NGOs involved in seed production and distribution, and bilateral development partners.
