TINASHE MAKICHI
Restrictions on cross border movement imposed in response
to the Covid-19 pandemic by countries in the region, have
adversely affected the supply of seeds which may eventually
lead to food insecurity.
In response to the impending disaster, the African Seed Trade Association
(AFSTA) and COMESA Alliance for Commodity Trade
in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) have recommended
classification of seeds as essential commodities that
should be allowed unrestricted movement across the region.
COMESA/ACTESA seed expert John Mukuka said regional countries need to
ensure access to quality and improved seed for the 80m
small scale farmers in the COMESA region and beyond.
“If the seed movement is not normalised in the next six months, 123m out of 650m people in the COMESA region will face starvation,” Mukuka
said.
“Closing borders or even slowing down the transboundary movement of seeds could create a significant problem in the seed supply chain.”
He said a few countries have reported difficulties to move seeds across borders.
If this trend continues, there will be inadequate harvests, a
situation that will lead to food insecurity, malnutrition and
hunger in the COMESA and African countries, in the next
few months, Mukuka said.
He said no country today could fully supply farmers with quality seed of their choice solely from their own production. Hence, companies produce seed in different countries across the world including COMESA,
to mitigate the risk of crop failures due to adverse weather
conditions.
“By finding optimal locations for seed production, timing of harvest, and localised expertise, the seed sector ensures steady supply of seed
for farmers everywhere in the region and globally,” Mukuka
said.
He said ACTESA and AFSTA is therefore appealing to Member States to allow free movement of seed at this time of the year in line
with international standard practice of seed trade and in
conformity with COMESA Seed Harmonisation Implementation Plan.
This includes, facilitating the movement of seed within
the region in line with the COMESA Harmonised Seed Trade Regulations; application of phytosanitary measures for seed only for pests, which are
not common to all COMESA countries; use the COMESA Regional Seed certificates and labels for all seed meeting the COMESA Seed Standards
among others.
Since 2010, COMESA/ ACTESA has been working with AFSTA on the
implementation of COMSHIP.
AFSTA has more than 118 Members from 39 countries of which 27 are National Seed Trade Associations in Africa and 44 associate members
worldwide.
ACTESA is a specialised agency of COMESA formed to address staple food production and marketing in the region.
