Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project - USAID

Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project

2021 Annual Report

January 1 to December 31, 2021

Cover Photos: Cover photos are courtesy of the Seed Trade Project.

This report was made possible by the support of the American People through the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility

of DAI Global, LLC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

PROGRAM

TITLE

Feed the Future Southern Africa

Seed Trade Project

CONTRACT

NUMBER:

AID-674-C-16-00003

CONTRACTOR

DAI GLOBAL, LLC

REPORTING PERIOD

January 1 – December

31, 2021

DATE OF

SUBMISSION

January 28, 2022

CONTRACTING

OFFICER’S

REPRESENTATIVE

CHIEF OF PARTY

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

2021 Calendar Report: Seed Trade Project January 2022 Page | i

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

APROSE Association for the Promotion of the Seed Sector, Mozambique

CBO Community Based Organization

COP Chief of Party

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative

COVID Coronavirus Disease

DARS Department of Agricultural Research Services, Malawi

DNSA Mozambique National Directorate of Agrarian Services

DQA Data Quality Assessment

DUS Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability

FANR Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Directorate

GMO Genetically Modified Organisms

HSR Harmonized Seed Regulations

HSRS Harmonized Seed Regulatory System

FtF INOVA Feed the Future Mozambique Agricultural Innovations Activity

IIAM Mozambique Institute of Agricultural Research

ISTA International Seed Testing Association

LOP Life of Project

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MT Metric Tons

MUSECO Multi Seed Company

PMELP Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan

NPPO National Plant Protection Organization

NSA National Seed Authority

OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

OPV Open Pollinated Varieties

OSD Other Seed Determination

SADC Southern African Development Community

SCCI Seed Control and Certification Institute, Zambia

SI Statutory Instrument

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

SPGRC SADC Plant Genetic Resource Centre

SSI Seed Services Institute, Zimbabwe

SSU Seed Services Unit, Malawi

STAM Seed Trade Association of Malawi

UPOV International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USG United States Government

WEAI Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index

ZARI Zambia Agriculture Research Institute

ZASTA Zambia Seed Trade Association

ZRA Zambia Revenue Authority

ZSPCA Zimbabwe Seed Potato Companies Association

ZSA Zimbabwe Seed Association (formerly ZSTA)

2021 Calendar Report: Seed Trade Project January 2022 Page | ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................... i

PROJECT OVERVIEW .................................................................................................... 1

SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND SALIENT RESULTS ................................................................. 2

1. Private Seed Companies’ Triple Scale-up Seed Production ..................................................................... 2

2. SADC Seed Producers are Registering Improved Seed Varieties to the SADC Seed

Variety Catalogue ................................................................................................................................................... 4

3. Technology Transfers Expand National Capacity for Safe International Seed Trade ........................ 5

PROGRESS BY INDICATOR: AT-A-GLANCE .............................................................................................................. 7

PROGRESS BY ACTIVITY: 2021 ANNUAL WORKPLAN AT-A-GLANCE ......................................................... 8

SECTION 2.0. PROGRESS BY INDICATOR .................................................................................................... 11

2.1 Indicator Progress .......................................................................................................................................... 11

GOAL: Increased Seed Trade Across the SADC Region ........................................................................... 11

2.2.1 OBJECTIVE 1: Increased Availability of Improved Seeds in the Region ....................................................... 11

2.2.2 OBJECTIVE 2: Increased Availability of Technologies, Management Practices, and Innovation ............ 21

2.2.3 OBJECTIVE 3: Improved Regional Policies to Support Agricultural Growth ............................................. 25

2.2.4 CROSS-CUTTING INDICATORS ........................................................................................................................ 27

SECTION 3.0. CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................... 31

3.1. Program Management .................................................................................................................................. 31

3.1.1 Adaptive Management Under COVID-19 ..................................................................................... 31

3.1.2 Operations and Procurements ......................................................................................................... 31

3.1.4 Close-down Process .............................................................................................................................. 32

3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan and Implementation Update ............................... 33

3.3 Integration of Cross-cutting Issues and USAID Forward Priorities .................................................. 34

3.4 Stakeholder Participation and Involvement ............................................................................................. 38

3.4.1 Seed Trade Project Engagement with Stakeholders ............................................................ 38

3.5 Tasks/Interventions for the Next Reporting Period ............................................................................. 44

ANNEX A: SUMMARY OF RESULTS ....................................................................... 45

ANNEX B: SUMMARY OF TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS ................................. 51

ANNEX C: OUTREACH & PROMOTION ............................................................. 56

ARTICLES .................................................................................................................... 56

SOCIAL MEDIA ......................................................................................................... 56

VIDEOS ......................................................................................................................... 57

ANNEX D: INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING U.S. GOVERNMENT

TECHNICAL SUPPORT .............................................................................................. 69

2021 Calendar Report: Seed Trade Project January 2022 Page | 1

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed

Trade Project (Seed Trade Project) is a five-

year project with a 15-month extension

(December 10, 2015 – March 10, 2022). It is

funded through the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID)/Southern

Africa Regional Mission, and implemented by

DAI Global, LLC (DAI). The primary goal of

the Project is to improve the availability of and

access to high-quality seed in the Southern

African Development Community (SADC)

Member States.

The Project is designed to support SADC and Member States’ leadership and provide the

necessary technical assistance to harmonize policies and regulations governing seed trade in

the region. The work facilitates seed trade across the region, integrating small and isolated

national markets into one larger SADC-wide market for seeds.

Traditionally, small national variations among regulations related to variety release, seed

certification and quality control, as well as quarantine and phytosanitary regulations lead to

increased transactional costs and duplicative procedures across countries. These collectively

not only raise the cost, but also increase the time required to get seeds to farmers. In response

to these significant and interconnected set of issues, the Seed Trade Project works to facilitate

the harmonization of seed laws across the SADC region, in turn increasing agricultural

productivity and profitability, resiliency, and subsequent food and nutrition security.

The Seed Trade Project’s focus countries are Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

However, its work with the SADC Secretariat, including the SADC Seed Centre as well as in

these targeted Project countries has spill-over effects in the remaining 12 SADC Member

States.

Tapping into leading public and private sectors, universities, international research

organizations, and other institutions, the Seed Trade Project shares technologies, innovations,

and management practices with target countries to improve seed value chains and promote a

more efficient seed system and subsequent farming systems.

Cross-cutting issues including private-public partnerships, gender and disadvantaged groups

mainstreaming, civil society and partner institution engagement, and adherence to the Feed

the Future principles are all integral to the success of the Seed Trade Project.

Major Project Partners

Southern African Development Community Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Directorate (SADC/FANR), SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC), SADC Seed Centre (SSC), Malawian Seed Services Unit (SSU), Mozambique National Directorate of Agrarian Services (DNSA), Zambian Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), Zimbabwe Seed Services Institute (SSI), National Plant Protection Organizations, Seed Trade Association of Malawi (STAM), Association for the Promotion of the Seed Sector in Mozambique (APROSE), Zimbabwe Seed Association (ZSA), Zambia Seed Trade Association (ZASTA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Office for Southern Africa, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), seed producers, and private sector.

http://afsta.org/membership/seed-trade-association-of-malawi-stam/


SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND

SALIENT RESULTS

In 2021, the Seed Trade Project continued

to work toward the full operationalization of

the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory

System (HSRS). From January 1 –

December 31, 2021, the Seed Trade

Project continued to make progress to

ensure the sustainability of the SADC

HSRS, as it has been the ongoing focus of

the Project through its conclusion. There

have been several achievements over the

past year, which are highlighted below.

1. Private Seed Companies’ Triple Scale-up Seed Production

From 2019-2020, the Seed Trade Project partnered with four seed companies to pressure-test

the SADC HSRS Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System – Seed Co Zambia Ltd.,

Lake Agriculture in Zambia, Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative Company (Zimbabwe Super

Seeds) and Peacock Seeds of Malawi. Collectively, they successfully produced 701 MT of

improved seed, of which 542 MT were exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo and

Mozambique, both hard hit by climate-related shocks. The rest remained on the local markets

for trade. The success of these pilots along with other significant benefits, including access to

all 16 SADC markets and ease of trade across borders, led to three of the four seed companies

committing to scale-up production and trade of high-quality seed under the SADC HSRS during

the 2020/21 planting season. Peacock Seeds in Malawi could not scale up as it is awaiting the

gazetting of the Seed Bill, which is imminent, for the Seed Services Unit (SSU) to fully

implement the SADC HSRS.

Together, the three participating seed companies successfully scaled-up their productions from

701 MT to 2,109 MT of improved, high-quality seed varieties during the 2020/2021 season.

Seed Co Zambia demonstrated the largest jump from their pilot going from 226 MT in 2019 to

1,050 MT in 2021, marking a 365 percent increase. Further, Seed Co exported the full amount

to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September 2021. Lastly, in both their pilot and

scale-up productions, Seed Co Zambia overshot their targets of 200 MT and 1,000 MT,

respectively.


Seed Co Zambia’s success is followed closely by Lake Agriculture’s accomplishments. Having

planted three fields in Mkushi, Kabwe and Lusaka with their Lake 601 hybrid maize seed

variety, Lake Agriculture met their scale-up target by producing 850 MT and exporting 570 MT

to Mozambique using the SADC seed labels and certificate. The remaining 280 MT is slated

for trade on the local Zambian market. Additionally, Lake Agriculture has expressed interest

in producing publicly bred improved sugar bean variety, NUA 45, currently produced by

Zimbabwe Super Seeds, during the 2021/2022 season with a goal of producing 200 MT for

export to Lesotho and Swaziland. The Project coordinated a meeting between Lake Agriculture

and SCCI in Q4 2021, and SCCI approved the production using the trade name “Mbereshi” on

the Zambian market, and only restricted the company from producing in and trading to

Zimbabwe where Zimbabwe Super Seeds is already present. Further, Lake Agriculture has

agreed to co-share SADC Seed Variety Catalogue registration and maintenance fees of NUA

45 with Zimbabwe Super Seeds.

Zimbabwe Super Seeds also successfully scaled up production of their sugar bean seed,

however, it was to a lesser extent due to COVID lockdowns in-country throughout 2021. By

close of the calendar year, ZSS confirmed production of 209 MT of NUA 45, which is shy of

their 300 MT target, but 5 percent higher than their pilot quantity. Zimbabwe’s Ministry of

Agriculture also restricted ZSS’s export of the seed due to local demand. The Ministry issued

an export permit for 20 MT to Mozambique, despite an original order for 60 MT. The export

will be moved using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

labels and International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) certificates while the Seed Services

Institute (SSI), Zimbabwe’s National Seed Authority (NSA), simultaneously makes progress on

designing their SADC seed label and certificate following their recent, October 2021, accession

to the SADC HSRS Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The remaining 189 MT of the

improved sugar bean seed will remain on Zimbabwe’s local market for trade.

The combined pilot and scale-up productions total 2,810 MT of high-quality seed (624 percent

above LOP target) for a total value of , which surpasses the LOP target by nearly

500 percent. Given the U.S. Government’s initial investment during the pilot phase, this total

also marks a 564 percent of leveraged investment.

Scale-up production targets for 2020/21

Company Crop Variety Country of

Production

Pilot Quantity in

MT (2018 - 2020)

Scale-Up Quantity

(2020/2021)

% Increase from

Pilot Production

Seed Co Zambia Maize: SC 637,

and SC 719 Zambia

226 1,050 365%

Lake Agriculture Maize: Lake 601 Zambia 250 850 240%

Zimbabwe Super Seeds Sugar Bean:

NUA 45 Zimbabwe

200 209 5%

Grand Total 701 2,109


2. SADC Seed Producers are Registering Improved Seed

Varieties to the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue

As a way of giving farmers across SADC equal access to high-quality seed and seed producers

access to all 16 SADC markets, the Seed Trade Project gave considerable energy to working

with private sector and the SADC Seed Centre to get new and improved seed varieties

registered on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue. The Seed Trade Project has engaged with

four seed companies, one of which is new, and 12 improved seed varieties are in the pipeline

at different stages of approval.

Of the 12 new varieties, five (5) have full and approved application documents, only pending

listing. These include three (3) soybean seeds by Seed Co Zambia (SC Safari, SC Spike and

SC Sentinel); one (1) vitamin-A enriched orange maize public-bred variety, GV637A, by the

new entrant, Advanta Seeds; and one (1) sugar bean variety, Lake 101, by Lake Agriculture.

This increases the number of varieties approved by the SADC Seed Centre from 91 to 96.

Seed Co Zambia has four (4) other maize seed varieties applications, SC555, SC553, SC547

and SC449, on hold by the SADC Seed Centre pending submission of missing information.

The remaining three (3) varieties by Corteva Agriscience Zambia are: PAN 53 and PAN 3M-

05 (maize) and PAN 148 (sugar bean).

To show the interest generated by the production and trade of seed under the HSRS, SADC

Member States and private sector have requested that the application process be fully moved

online via the revamped SADC Seed Centre website, allowing them to fill out the form, upload

documentation and pay fees securely online. While this is all possible, the Project is unable to

see it through due to closing. However, the team has taken steps to provide the SADC Seed

Centre with a scope of work (SoW) for the upgrades and transitioned the web developer so he

can work directly with SADC once the Seed Centre can collect fees. Further, the SoW calls for

the application to be backed into the SADC Seed Variety Database so that SADC Seed Centre

personnel do not have to manually re-enter application information and seed characteristics,

which will significantly cut down on administrative time, costs, and expedite the approval

process.

Additionally, in Q4 2021, the Seed Trade Project co-hosted a Seed Producer Webinar with the

SADC Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Resources (FANR) Directorate, attracting 58 participants

from seed companies across the SADC region. In preparation for this event, the Project

produced three informational videos specifically for seed producers. They include: (i) Benefits

of the Producing and Exporting Improved Seed Under the SADC HSRS; (ii) Business Case for

Seed Producers; and (iii) a Tutorial for Registering New Seed Varieties to the Regional

Catalogue. Links to the videos can be found in Annex C. The videos will live on the SADC

Seed Centre website being finalized by the Project.

While the number of seed varieties listed on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue remains at 91,

the actual approved stands at 96 including the five (5) approved pending listing, this figure

marks a 284 percent increase from the 2016 baseline of 25 varieties. Once the seven (7)

pending varieties are approved and all are added to the regional catalogue, 103 varieties will


be accessible to SADC farmers and 15 companies will be engaged with seed variety

registration and release.

3. Technology Transfers Expand National Capacity for Safe

International Seed Trade

The Seed Trade Project achieved another notable milestone in 2021 – the procurement and

delivery of modern seed testing laboratory equipment and pest and plant disease testing

equipment to Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. The Project has recognized that effective

and sustainable implementation of the SADC HSRS requires robust institutional capabilities

within SADC Member States. This is in terms of both a critical mass of competences and

availability of modern equipment along the seed value chain. Given considerable supply chain

challenges due to COVID, the Project faced several barriers to ensure delivery before close-

down. However, it has pressed onward and delivered on all but one commitment.

In Malawi, the Seed Trade

Project completed the delivery of

all seed testing equipment to the

Chitedze Seed Testing

Laboratory, outfitted the lab with

an industrial generator to curb

power outages, and provided IT

equipment to ensure full

implementation of the Online

Seed Certification System. In Q4

2021, the Project confirmed the

delivery of the final tranche of

pest and plant disease testing

equipment in-country, and it is

currently awaiting routine clearance by Malawi’s National Plant Protection Organization

(NPPO) under the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), after which the

equipment will be delivered to target border post and entry/exit points. To close-down activities

and accommodate COVID restrictions, the Project developed a technology transfer video and

media package in lieu of a formal handover event. Both the video and media package are with

USAID Mission in Malawi for approval.

Similar to Malawi, the Seed Trade Project completed the transfer of seed testing equipment to

the Chimoio Regional Seed Testing Laboratory in Mozambique and provided the lab with an

industrial back-up generator to curb power failures. Additionally, to strengthen the

operationalization of the Online Seed Certification System in Mozambique, the Project

supported the National Directorate of Agrarian Services (DNSA), Mozambique’s NSA, to

conduct a monitoring visit to satellite laboratories and seed companies in Nampula from June

8 – 11 and Chimoio from June 14 – 18, 2021. The purpose of the visits was to evaluate the

implementation of the System, assess any challenges, and identify areas for improvement.

Also, much like Malawi, the Project procured and delivered pest and plant disease testing

equipment to the Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal, Mozambique’s NPPO, in Q4 2021. This


equipment is in country awaiting clearance before being delivered and installed at target border

posts and points of entry/exit. To formally conclude the Seed Trade Project’s activities in

Mozambique, the Project coordinated a handover event in Maputo in November. During this

event, the USG through Ms. Mary Hobbs, Director of Office of Economic Growth, announced

the transfer of nearly USD $200,000 worth in technology to the Government of the Republic of

Mozambique’s (GRM) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In Zambia, the Seed Trade Project completed the procurement and delivery of a digital

microscope to the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), Zambia’s NSA, in Q1 2021.

The digital microscope is already improving SCCI’s ability to conduct purity testing, increasing

its proficiency in Other Seed Determination (OSD) tests and their ability to meet other

International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) requirements. As with Malawi and Mozambique,

the Project has procured and delivered pest and plant disease testing equipment to the Zambia

Agriculture Research Institute’s (ZARI) Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS),

Zambia’s NPPO – it currently awaits clearance by the NPPO and will move onward to target

border posts.

The only outstanding commitment the Seed Trade Project continues to push on is a state-of-

the-art bacterial wilt testing set for potato seed intended for the Zimbabwe Potato Seed

Companies Association (ZPSCA) laboratory. Due to supply chain problems related to COVID,

delays were experienced in the delivery of the equipment, but the Seed Trade Project is

confident this will be achieved.

With these latest technology transfers in 2021, the Project has exceeded its LOP target by

two for a LOP total of 12, representing a 120 percent achievement of the LOP target. Further,

the conclusion of these grants and final disbursements brings the total value of grants

distributed t surpassing the LOP target by close to Collectively, these

technologies are meant to increase human and institutional capacity to test and trade high-

quality seed within the SADC region, update laboratories with modern equipment, and

establish systems that support the sustainable implementation of the SADC HSRS.

Below is a snapshot of the Seed Trade Project’s progress against all indicators followed

by progress by activity. Additionally, Sections 2 and 3 of this report provide more details

regarding the abovementioned accomplishments and highlights other work by the Seed Trade

Project team, by indicator and cross-cutting activities.


PROGRESS BY INDICATOR: AT-A-GLANCE

Indicator

2021 Life of Project (LOP)

Target Results Percent

Achieved

Target

Cumulative

Results

Percent

Achieved

1 EG.3-507-CUST: Quantity of High-quality Seed Traded Under

HSRS by Crop

300 2,109 703% 450 2,810 624.4%

2 EG.3-1-c: Value of Targeted Agricultural Commodities Exported

with USG Assistance

497.6%

3 EG.3.2: Number of Individuals Participating in USG Food

Security Programs (IM-Level)

100 173 173% 1,669 2,156 129.2%

4 EG.3-501-CUST: Sustainable Business Model for Regional

Seed Release and Certification Operational

1 0 0% 1 1 100%

5 EG.3-502-CUST: Percent of Regional HSR Administrative

System Costs Covered by Revenues Generated

50% 0% 0% 50% 0% 0%

6 EG.3-505-CUST: Number of Seed Companies Engaged in

Regional Seed Varietal Release

2 0 0% 10 15 150%

7 EG.3-506-CUST: Number of Technologies or Management

Practices Made Available as a Result of USG Assistance

3 3 100% 10 12 120%

8 EG.3.1-14: Value of New USG Commitments and Private Sector

Investment Leveraged by the USG to Support Food Security

and Nutrition (IM-Level)

563.8%

9 EG.3.1-12: Number of Agricultural and Nutrition Enabling

Environment Policies Analyzed, Consulted on, Drafted or

Revised, Approved and Implemented with USG Assistance

1 3 300% 3 36 1,200%

10 EG.3-17-CUST: Number of Food Security Private Enterprises

(For Profit), Producers’ Organizations, Water Users’

Associations, Women’s Groups, Trade and Business

Associations, and Community-based Organizations (CBOs)

Receiving USG Assistance

10 52* 520% 120 201 167.5%

11 EG.3-508-CUST: Value of Grants Distributed 102.1%

*=20 new and 32 continuing/repeat organization


PROGRESS BY ACTIVITY: 2021 ANNUAL WORKPLAN AT-A-GLANCE

In line with the 2021 Seed Trade Project Work Plan, below is the brief status update for each activity, and includes a short review of work already done, progress by an estimated percent completed, and anticipated timeframes for completion, if possible, before official close-down on March 10, 2022.

No. Activity Description Progress

Status Update

MALAWI

4.1.1 Facilitate and technically support the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture to enable them to advocate for the expedited promulgation of the Malawi Seed Bill

100% On October 22, 2021, the Seed Trade Project partnered with the Seed Trade Association of Malawi (STAM) to successfully facilitate a high-level meeting to advance the approval process for the Malawi Seed Bill among Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture. The main objective of the meeting was to prepare Parliamentarians for debate with the hope of passing the Bill and onward movement to the House for approval. The event attracted 66 participants including 20 Members of Parliament (MPs). As a follow-up activity, on December 9, 2021, Malawi’s DARS, through the SSU, met with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOJCA) to discuss some areas of clarification in the draft Malawi Seed Bill. DARS hopes the Bill will be tabled in Parliament in the February 2022 seating.

4.1.2a Operationalization of the Online Seed Certification System in Malawi

100% SSU and seed company staff have been trained and are proficient in the use of the System. Further, the seed sector stakeholders have received training and are using the System as designed.

4.1.2b Evaluation of the Online Seed Certification System in Malawi

95% The Seed Trade Project engaged the Malawi seed sector stakeholders to review the performance of the Online Seed Certification System. The Project responded to questions raised by stakeholders, as well as issues raised during the evaluation of the System. Further, there should have been a joint technical support visit to SSU and selected seed company sites to experience first-hand the functionality of the System. However, the visit could not be conducted due to COVID-19 restrictions in the country. In a bid to get more detailed feedback, the Project developed and shared electronic questionnaires with the Malawi NSA and STAM and the two institutions are yet to respond.

4.1.3 Facilitate handover event of the Online Seed Certification System and seed testing equipment to the Malawi Government

95% The Online Seed Certification System is operational and the seed testing equipment for the SSU laboratory was procured and delivery confirmed. The Project is also in the process of finalizing the procurement of plant pests and disease testing equipment for the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) under the DARS for selected strategic border posts and seed entry/exit points. The Seed Trade Project was scheduled to facilitate the U.S. Government’s official handover of the both the Online Seed Certification System and the procured equipment to the Government of Malawi. However, rather than host an event in Lilongwe during this fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, the Seed Trade Project and the USAID Mission in Malawi and the regional Mission agreed to develop an electronic package (video and media package) in lieu of the handover event for distribution on both social and traditional media channels. The Package was developed, cleared by USAID Regional Mission for Southern Africa and handed over to the USAID Mission in Malawi where it awaits approval.

MOZAMBIQUE

4.2.1 Support NSA to host the second course for private seed inspectors

100% The NSA conducted the course from August 9 to 20, 2021. This exercise is expected to contribute toward increased seed inspection and certification capacity in the field, thereby improving seed quality in the country.

4.2.2 In partnership with Ministry of Industry and Trade, convene a stakeholder validation workshop for the reviewed plant protection regulations

100% The workshop took place on April 13, 2021. The plant protection regulations have since been reviewed and validated.

4.2.3 Upscaling the Operationalization of the Online Seed Certification System

100% The Project’s Mozambique country advisor and the NSA conducted monitoring visits to Nampula from June 8 - 11 and Chimoio from June 14 – 18, 2021, noting a few technical challenges in the process. The system is 100% paperless in Manica, while it is still partly paper-based in Nampula. Recommendations were


made to the NSA to fully operationalize the system and those updates have been made.

4.2.4 Support NSA and APROSE to convene a national policy meeting to review the implementation of the recommendations drawn from the assessment report on Mozambique’s Seed Legal and Regulatory System

100% The Seed Specialist and Legal Expert that were recruited by the Seed Trade Project to consolidate recommendations from the legal and regulatory framework of Mozambique’s seed sector completed in 2018 and other related studies, concluded the assignment by drafting the revised regulations per the recommendations the report and subsequent policy briefs and holding a validation workshop with 25 seed stakeholders on November 9, 2021. The Project anticipates that these revised regulations will be gazetted as Ministerial diplomas.

4.2.5 Capacity-building on the use of the installed seed laboratory equipment in Chimoio, Manica

100% The equipment supplier conducted a virtual training with the NSA on the proper use of laboratory equipment in June 2021. The NSA is, therefore, geared for effective and sustainable use and management of the equipment.

4.2.6 Build institutional capacity of the National Plant Protection Organizations through procurement of pests and diseases testing equipment for the border posts’ plant protection inspectors

90% The pest and plant disease testing equipment has been successfully procured and delivered to Maputo via DHL. It is now awaiting routine clearance by the NPPO and from there will be delivered to targeted posts. Once the border posts receive the equipment, the NPPO border staff will be trained/orientated virtually on how to use the equipment on a per need basis.

ZAMBIA

4.3.1 Capacity strengthening of private seed sector stakeholders on the approved SIs on Plant Pests and Diseases (Phytosanitary Procedure)

100% The Zambian NPPO and the NSA jointly conducted the workshop in March 2021. All plant health inspectors and seed companies in Zambia were sensitized/trained on the implementation of the Seed Trade Project supported Statutory Instrument No. 68 of 2020: The Plant and Diseases (Phytosanitary Certification) (General) Regulations of 2020.

4.3.2 Upscaling seed production and export under the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System

100% Lake Agriculture, Seed Co Zambia, and Zimbabwe Super Seeds have all successfully completed their scale-up productions and/or exports as of the end of 2021. Lake Agriculture produced 850 MT of Lake 601 hybrid maize seed and exported 570 MT to Mozambique in September 2021. Seed Co Zambia produced and exported 1,050 MT of hybrid maize seed to the DRC

4.3.3 Capacity strengthening of the NPPO on rapid and accurate diagnosis of plant pests and diseases at key border posts

90% The pest and plant disease testing equipment has been successfully procured and delivered to Lusaka via DHL. It is now awaiting routine clearance by the NPPO and from there will be delivered to targeted posts. Once the border posts receive the equipment, the NPPO border staff will be trained/orientated virtually on how to use the equipment on a per need basis

4.3.4* Facilitate and technically support the SCCI and Ministry of Justice to review the Zambia Seed Law

100% The meeting took place from September 21-24, 2021 to review and revise the Zambia Seed Law following gaps identified during the pilot and subsequent scale-up of the SADC HSRS. Following the review and revision, the Ministry of Justice finalized the document and resubmitted to the Ministry of Agriculture for final review and onward submission to the Minister of Agriculture for signature. This is the final step before submitting the Bill to Parliament for possible enactment.

* = not initially part of the workplan, but was included later as it was necessary to facilitate the Seed Trade Project’s work

ZIMBABWE

4.4.1 Advocating accession of Zimbabwe to SADC seed harmonization MOU and facilitate the implementation of the procedures into the normal operations of variety release, seed certification and seed health

100%

The President approved Zimbabwe’s accession to the SADC HSRS MoU. The government through its Embassy in Botswana on 10 November 2021 wrote to SADC submitting Zimbabwe’s Instruments of Accession to which receipt on 12 November 2021 and welcomed Zimbabwe. Simultaneously, the Project piloted and scaled up production and export of improved seed under the SADC HSRS in partnership with Zimbabwe Super Seeds, which has been reported extensively in earlier sections of the report.

4.4.2 Facilitate development of the National Seed Policy

50% The Zimbabwe Seed Association (ZSA) drafted a position paper but could not proceed with the activity due to COVID-19 restrictions and subsequent time constraints ahead of the close down of the Seed Trade Project. The activity was therefore discontinued.


4.3.2* Upscaling seed production and export under the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System

100% Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative Company produced 209 MT of sugar bean seed but was only permitted to export 20 MT to Mozambique, leaving 189 MT to be sold on the local market. In Q2, the Project facilitated a virtual field visit for the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator to four Zimbabwe Super Seeds sugar bean SADC HSRS certified seed production fields in Masvingo West, Zimbabwe. This virtual visit came in the wake of SADC’s indefinite ban on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic which curtailed the Coordinator’s planned in-person visit. The purpose of the virtual field visit was to give the Seed Centre Coordinator an opportunity to monitor progress of scale-up efforts and transition ownership and oversight to the SADC Seed Centre.

* = not initially part of the workplan, but was included later on as it was necessary to facilitate the Seed Trade Project Work

REGIONAL

4.5.1 Support the convening of the SADC Seed Technical Meeting and the SADC Seed Committee Meeting in 2021

50% The meeting took place virtually from August 23 - 24, 2021 where participants made key decisions about the operationalization of the SADC Seed Centre, chiefly allowing the Centre to charge fees. A second meeting, which SADC FANR wanted to be in person, was planned for November 2021 but did not take place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Seed Trade Project was prepared to support the meeting.

4.5.2 Operationalize the SADC Seed Centre

80% The August SADC Technical Meeting reaffirmed the recommendation that the SADC Seed Centre begin charging fees as it operates under the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC). SADC is finalizing internal modalities for the Centre to start charging the stipulated fees per the SADC Seed Centre Sustainability Business Model and its Implementation Plan.

4.5.3 Updating and migration of the SADC Seed Centre Website

90% The SADC Technical Meeting reviewed and provided feedback to the draft website during the August 23 – 24 meeting and through a guided questionnaire that was distribute after the meeting. All final edits and quality assurance (QA) processes have been completed. The Project is awaiting approval from the SADC Seed Centre to transfer hosting and out of pocket costs related to the website, at which point, all maintenance of the site will be turned over to the Centre. Further, Centre Coordinator Ms. Tilabilenji Phiri and the SADC SPGRC Technical Officer Documentation and Information Mr. Mike Daka received training on how to administer and update the revamped website. Formal launch will occur once SADC pays the invoice for the domain name and all parties have approved the site’s contents.

4.5.4 Quarterly meetings with the SADC Seed Centre and SPGRC to track progress

100% The Seed Trade Project Technical staff had all four quarterly meetings with the SADC Seed Centre and SPGRC staff during the reporting year. Ad hoc meetings were also held with the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator to discuss and address urgent matters that could not wait for the scheduled quarterly meetings.

4.5.5 Regional training on regional guidelines for Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed

100% Originally slated for May 2021, this activity moved due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. This training was conducted virtually from December 6 – 8, 2021 with 47 participants using the Zoom platform. The Seed Trade Project fully supported the training which involved nominated participants from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia NPPOs.

4.5.6 Finalize and assist the SADC Seed Centre and Member States to populate the Regional Seed Information Database

90% The Seed Trade Project shared the draft database template during the August 23-24 SADC Seed Technical Committee Meeting. The Project further facilitated a session and distributed a questionnaire to refine the data collection fields as well as frequency of collection. The draft database was reviewed and approved during the Technical Meeting, so the next steps will be for the SADC Secretariat to put out a data request to all SADC Member States to populate the fields and for the database to be migrated and integrated into the revamped SADC Seed Centre website.


SECTION 2.0. PROGRESS BY INDICATOR

2.1 Indicator Progress

The Seed Trade Project focused on

implementation and operationalization of the

SADC HSRS in 2021, ensuring the system

continued to gain momentum among all SADC

Member States and private sector. To achieve

this, the Project continued building the human

and institutional capacities of the SADC Seed

Centre, National Seed Authorities (NSAs),

National Plant Protection Organization

(NPPOs), seed producers and other actors in

the SADC seed value chain. This resulted in

strengthening seed systems for regional variety release, seed certification and quality

assurance, and quarantine and phytosanitary measures for seed; stimulated public-private

engagements to implement the SADC HSRS; triggered private sector investments;

encouraged public-private investment in the transfer of seed technologies to target SADC

countries; and strengthened SADC’s capacity for inclusive and evidence-based policy

planning.

This approach is expected to lead to safer, seamless seed trade among SADC Member

States, increasing access to improved, more resilient, high yielding seed varieties that

possess the desirable characteristics for satisfactory crop yields, both in quantity and quality,

among smallholder farmers. Ultimately, it is envisaged that this will improve incomes, food

and nutritional security, and lower poverty levels. Sustained implementation of the SADC

HSRS will further ensure growth in the region’s agricultural sector to support the continued

rise in both regional and global populations while addressing climate-related pressures.

Further, the Seed Trade Project tracks several indicators that speak to its overall goal of

increasing productivity through the trade of resilient, high-quality seed varieties, enabled

through various activities, ranging from policy reviews through technology transfers to

capacity-building of value chain actors. Therefore, this section describes the progress made

toward achieving this goal, reporting by indicator, and disaggregated by the Project’s central

goal and the three core objectives during the reporting period, January 1 to December 31,

2021. Please see Annex A: Summary of Results for detailed results by year.

GOAL: Increased Seed Trade Across the SADC Region

2.2.1 OBJECTIVE 1: Increased Availability of Improved Seeds in the Region

EG.3-507-CUST: Quantity of High-quality Seed Traded Under HSRS by Crop

The Seed Trade Project successfully pressure-tested the SADC HSRS with private seed

companies, which demonstrated value to both private sector and national governments. The

Project did this by awarding four strategic grants to: one multinational seed company (Seed

Co Zambia in 2018) and three emerging seed companies in 2019 (Lake Agriculture of Zambia,


Peacock Seeds of Malawi, and Zimbabwe

Super Seeds of Zimbabwe) to pilot the

SADC Seed Certification and Quality

Assurance System by producing and

exporting improved seed to the Democratic

Republic of Congo (DRC) and

Mozambique.

As a result of these pilot productions, the

seed companies collectively produced 701

metric tons (MT) of high-quality seed

following the SADC HSRS, and exported

516 MT seamlessly, using the SADC seed

labels and certificates. The rest of the seed remained on local seed markets for trade.

Through improved yields, increased return on investments, and greater access to all 16 SADC

Member States’ markets, three of the pilot companies (Lake Agriculture, Seed Co Zambia and

Zimbabwe Super Seeds) scaled-up seed production and trade under the SADC HSRS during

the 2020/21 planting season using their own resources. The Seed Trade Project, SADC Seed

Centre, the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) of Zambia, and the Zimbabwe Seed

Services Institute (SSI) continued providing technical support, and worked with the seed

companies throughout production, processing, packaging, and export of the seed

consignments.

In Q1 of 2021, the Seed Trade Project supported the SCCI to train 30 new inspectors for Seed

Co Zambia and new seed growers for Lake Agriculture on the general concepts of the SADC

HSRS and how to comply with its seed certification and quality assurance guidelines. The

Project also supported the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator to conduct physical field visits to

selected Lake Agriculture and Seed Co Zambia maize fields in Mkushi, Serenje, Kabwe, and

Lusaka from April 12 -15, 2021. Similarly, the Seed Trade Project organized a virtual visit for

the Coordinator to selected Zimbabwe Super Seeds smallholder outgrowers’ sugar bean fields

in Masvingo South District in Zimbabwe on June 10, 2021. These field visits allowed the SADC

Seed Centre Coordinator to review the progress of the scale-up efforts and ensure adherence

to SADC HSRS protocols, ascertain the accuracy of data around potential yields, and ensure

compliance with the SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance Guidelines.

In Q3 2021, Lake Agriculture processed 850 metric

tons (MT) of hybrid maize seed, Lake 601, under

the SADC HSRS, and exported 570 MT of the

improved seed to Mozambique, while 280 MT

remained on the Zambian market for local trade. All

produced seed bore the SADC seed label and

carried the SADC seed certificates.

In Q4 2021, Seed Co Zambia and Zimbabwe Super

Seeds successfully harvested, processed and

marketed their hybrid maize and sugar bean seed,


respectively. While falling short of the 300 MT target due to the impact of COVID lockdowns,

Zimbabwe Super Seeds produced 209 MT under the SADC HSRS. Due to local demand, the

Zimbabwean government restricted the company’s export permit to 20 MT to Mozambique

(despite an official order for 60 MT) and opted to use the OECD labels and ISTA Certificates

on which the SADC HSRS is benchmarked. Conversely, Seed Co Zambia exceeded its 1,000

MT goal and produced 1,050 MT of hybrid maize seed, exporting the total amount to the DRC.

As a result, the Seed Trade Project recorded an additional 1,259 MT of high-quality seed

produced and traded during Q4, for a total of 2,109 MT during 2021. This increased the Seed

Trade Project’s LOP achievement for this indicator to 624.4 percent.

Quantity (MT) of high-quality seed traded under the SADC HSRS by crop

2021 Target 300

Q4 2021 Result 1,259

2021 YTD 2,109

LOP Target 450

LOP Results 2,810

Percent of LOP Target Achieved 624.4%

EG.3-1-c: Value of Targeted Agricultural Commodities Exported with USG Assistance

The increased value of high-quality seed traded under the SADC HSRS will translate into a

more competitive market among seed producers, giving farmers access to more diverse, high

quality improved seed and eventually leading to increased agricultural productivity, food and

nutritional security, and incomes. It will further promote the registration and release of more

seed varieties on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue, and in turn, create more revenue for the

SADC Seed Centre to sustain its operation, as detailed in the SADC Seed Centre

Sustainability Business Model and its Implementation Plan.

In Q3 2021, Lake Agriculture processed a total of 850 MT of improved maize seed valued at

Of that 850 MT, the company exported 570 MT valued at to

Mozambique in September 2021, with no clearing issues at the border. The remaining 280 MT

valued at remained on the local Zambian seed market for sale. Compared to Lake

Agriculture’s pilot production in 2019/2020 of 250 MT, the 850 MT scale-up production marked

a 240 percent increase.

On the left, local supply of 5-kilogram (kg) bags of Lake 601 hybrid maize seed with the SADC Seed Labels. On the right, sample of treated

maize seed with a glossy substance added to distinguish it from fake seed. Photo: Seed Trade Project


In addition to using SADC seed labels and certificates, Lake Agriculture added a security

feature by applying a glossy substance for a shiny appearance and further distinguishing it

from fake seed.

In its bid to continue and diversify seed production using the SADC HSRS Seed Certification

and Quality Assurance System, Lake Agriculture sought guidance from the Seed Trade Project

in Q4 2021 about the possibility of producing the publicly bred sugar bean seed, variety NUA

45, during the 2021/2022 growing season. The company intends to produce a minimum of

200 MT of the sugar bean seed in Zambia for export to Lesotho and Swaziland, where

discussions are ongoing for a 178 MT order. Accordingly, the Seed Trade Project facilitated a

meeting between Lake Agriculture and the SCCI to discuss the issue in detail. Subsequently,

the SCCI and Lake Agriculture met on October 15 and determined that Lake Agriculture could

proceed with the NUA 45 production using the trade name of ‘Mbereshi’ on the Zambian

market. However, SCCI restricted production in and trade to Zimbabwe, where Zimbabwe

Super Seeds is already producing NUA 45 under the SADC HSRS after registering it on the

SADC Seed Variety Catalogue in 2019. These issues will be tabled for discussion at SADC

level to ensure fairness and healthy competitions by seed companies. Further, Lake Agriculture

is required to co-share associated registration, maintenance, and other fees as they relate to

the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue with Zimbabwe Super Seeds.

Also, in Q4 2021, Zimbabwe Super Seeds confirmed production of 209 MT of SADC-certified

sugar bean seed, NUA 45, valued at Sugar bean is normally planted in February in

the SADC region. By the close of the reporting period, ZSS had already received a 60 MT

order from Mozambique value r ton, but the Zimbabwe Ministry of Agriculture

only approved an export permit for 20 MT due to local demand. Therefore, the remaining seed

will be sold in Zimbabwe per ton under the OECD labels.

Finally, Seed Co Zambia exceeded their 1,000 MT production goal by 50 MT. All 1050 MT of

hybrid maize seed was exported to the DRC.

Zimbabwe Super Seeds’ NUA 45 SADC certified sugar bean seed processed and packaged in readiness for export to

Mozambique. Photo Credit: Zimbabwe Super Seeds


Value (US$) of seed traded (exports and local sales) by crop, country and quantity (MT)

Crop Company Countr

Exports Local Sales Total

Maize Seed Co Zambia

Maize Lake Agri. Zambia

Maize Peacock Malawi

Sugar Bean

ZSS Zimbab

Maize Lake Agri. Zambia

Maize Seed Co Zambia

Sugar Bean

ZSS Zimbab

Grand Total

This brings the Seed Trade Project’s achievement of its LOP target for this indicator to 497.6

percent.

Value (US $) of targeted agricultural commodities exported with USG assistance

2021 Target

Q4 2021 Result

2021 YTD

LOP Target

LOP Results



Sub-IR 1.1. Increase Human Capacities

EG.3.2: Number of Individuals Participating in USG Food Security Programs (IM-Level)

Building the human capacities of NSAs, NPPOs, National Seed Trade Associations, seed

companies, and other seed sector actors is essential to the sustainable implementation of the

SADC HSRS. Managers and users of the System need to possess the necessary technical

knowledge to implement all three components of the Technical Agreements on Harmonization

of Seed Regulations in the SADC Region and the field guidelines that operationalize them, so

as to be functional at both the national and regional levels. To this end, the Seed Trade Project

continued engaging various seed sector stakeholders in its focus countries for capacity

building purposes. This is meant to improve the national systems as a way of reinforcing

sustainable implementation of the SADC HSRS beyond the life of the Project.

In 2021, the Seed Trade Project continued strengthening the human and institutional capacities

at national and regional levels. In Malawi, the support included training the SSU staff on the

Online Seed Certification System in Q1; training private sector personnel on the Online Seed

Certification System in Q2; and convening and sensitizing Parliamentarians on the Malawi

Seed Bill in Q4.

Similarly, the Seed Trade Project facilitated several trainings in Mozambique to ensure a

strengthen seed sector. These events included the Plant Protection Regulations Stakeholder

Validation Workshop in Q2; the Second Course for Private Seed Inspectors in Q3, as well as

the Technology Handover Event to Advance Seed Trade in Q4; and the Validation Workshop

for the Proposed Amendments to the Seed Regulations, Decree 12/2013 of April 10 also in

Q4.

Zambia also continued to push for the full legal backing of its SADC HSRS domestication

status. As such, the Seed Trade Project in partnership with SCCI trained seed growers and

inspectors as well as hosting a private sector awareness creation workshop about the revised

Phytosanitary Certification Regulations, the Statutory Instrument No. 68 of 2020: The Plant

and Diseases (Phytosanitary Certification) (General) Regulations of 2020, in Q1; conducted

physical learning and capacity building field visits to the SADC HSRS seed production fields

by the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator in Q2; and facilitated a review meeting to update the

Seed Law based on gaps observed during the piloting and scale up of the SADC HSRS in

Q3.Lastly, several events targeted participants from either the four focus countries or the

regional level. These included the SADC Seed Technical Committee meeting in Q3, and the

Seed Producers’ Webinar, Pest Risk Analysis training and the SADC Seed Centre staff training

on the revamped SADC Seed Centre Website, all in Q4.


The activities listed above allowed close to 700 people from public, private and civil society

institutions to participate in Seed Trade Project activities. However, the majority of these were

not first-time participants; and only 173 (52 females; 121 males) participated in Seed Trade

Project activities for the first time in 2021. This means that the Project achieved 173 percent

of the 2021 target set at 100 for this indicator. To date, 2,156 people (671 females; 1,485

males), cumulatively, have participated in Seed Trade Project food security programs from

Project inception, representing 129.2 percent achievement of the LOP target set at 1,669.

Annex B provides more details.

Number of individuals participating in USG food security programs

2021 Target 100

Q4 2021 Result 58

2021 YTD 173

LOP Target 1,669

LOP Results 2,156


Sub-IR 1.2. Strengthened Systems for Regional Variety Release, Certification

and Quality Assurance

EG.3-501-CUST: Sustainable Business Model for Regional Seed Release and

Certification Operational

The full operationalization of the

SADC Seed Centre continued to

be the Seed Trade Project’s focus

in 2021. This was one of the main

objectives of the August 23 -24

virtual SADC Seed Technical

Committee Meeting, which

validated and recommended that

the SADC Seed Centre starts

charging fees as it operates under

the SADC Plant Genetic

Resources Centre. The meeting

tasked the SADC Secretariat to

share the SADC Seed Centre

Sustainability Business Model

and its Implementation Plan with all Member States. This document details the chargeable

fees. After this, SADC is putting in place modalities for seed companies using the system to

start paying the necessary user fees to the SADC Seed Centre.

Further, the SADC Seed Technical Committee Meeting reviewed the beta site for the SADC

Seed Centre website and provided initial feedback. Once finalized, the website will enhance

the operations of the SADC Seed Centre, as it will make it easier for System users to receive

and provide information related to variety release, seed certification and quality assurance, and

quarantine and phytosanitary measures for seed. This will contribute to the sustainability of the

SADC HSRS in that improved information sharing will increase the System’s user base and


contribute to the reduction of costs related to seed trade in the region. This is envisaged to

ultimately reduce the cost of improved seed at farmer level.

Lastly, the SADC Seed Technical Meeting reviewed and validated the Technical Guidelines on

SADC Variety Testing and Release of Public-bred Varieties. These guidelines will allow many

emerging seed companies, who mainly rely on public varieties released by governments and

the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), to register varieties on

the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue and take advantage of the SADC HSRS to expand their

markets by trading regionally. This will further increase the number of varieties on the regional

catalogue, leading to the expansion of a revenue base for the SADC Seed Centre once the

Business Model and its Implementation Plan are fully implemented. Ultimately, this will lead to

a more sustainable way of serving various seed sector players to the greater benefit of the

agricultural sector and the people of the SADC region at-large.

Sustainable Business Model for Regional Seed Release and Certification Operational

2021 Target 1*

Q4 2021 Result 0

2021 YTD 0

LOP Target 1

LOP Results 1

Percent of LOP Target Achieved 100%

*The Seed Trade Project’s goal in 2021 is to ensure effective implementation of the Sustainable Business Model

through collection of fees by the SADC Seed Centre.

EG.3-502-CUST: Percent of Regional HSR Administrative System Costs Covered by

Revenues Generated

This indicator is closely linked to the fees charging component of indicator EG.3-501-CUST.

Therefore, progress toward its achievement largely depends on the SADC Seed Centre’s

ability to collect fees as described in the previous indicator. This is working progress as SADC

is putting in place modalities to have the Centre start collecting fees.

Percent of Regional HSR Administrative System Costs Covered by Revenues Generated

2021 Target 50%

Q4 2021 Result 0%

2021 YTD 0%

LOP Target 50%

LOP Results 0%


The operationalization of the SADC Seed Centre Sustainability Business Model will ensure

that the SADC Seed Centre generates revenue from services rendered to Member States.

Some of these revenue streams include (but are not limited to): fees for registering new seed

varieties on the SADC Variety Catalogue; maintenance fees for the varieties on the Catalogue;

accreditation and training of inspectors; accreditation of laboratories; and fees for the use of

SADC seed labels. Revenue generated from these streams will directly support the operational

costs of the Centre as well as the system. It will also support verification of variety data;

communication with variety holders, NSAs, NPPOs, and other stakeholders; development and

maintenance of databases; updating of the SADC Seed Centre website and the convening of


meetings, among other activities. Therefore, the approval of the business model in June 2019

was a major step toward giving the SADC Seed Centre legal ground to collect revenue for the

services rendered to SADC Member States.

However, no SADC Member State has signed the Charter establishing the SADC Seed Centre,

which seriously curtails the powers of the Centre. From a legal point-of-view, the Centre has

no ground to charge the fees that are key for its long-term sustainability. As a result, the Seed

Trade Project could not deliver on this indicator until the Centre is enabled to collect such fees.

To solve this issue, the Seed Trade Project, in September 2019, proposed to SADC FANR a

solution that might enable the Centre to function pending the finalization of the Charter. The

Project then worked with the SADC Secretariat to have the Seed Centre incorporated within

the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC). This was endorsed by SADC Member

States at the October 2019 SADC Technical Meeting in Johannesburg and effected by SADC

FANR, which gave the Centre a legal standing to operate outside the Charter being signed.

An officer with the SPGRC was seconded to the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator role,

communicated to the Seed Trade Project by SADC FANR on January 31st, 2020. However,

the staff left SPGRC soon after the secondment giving a temporary setback, but a replacement

was hired and seconded to the Coordinator position in November 2020.

With the Coordinator in place, all the functions of the SADC Seed Centre are operational with

pointers to sustainability. However, no movement has been recorded on the critical area of the

Centre charging fees, a move key to the Centre’s sustainability. The Seed Trade Project

discussed the issue with SADC FANR, proposing that the matter be tabled before Member

States during the August 2021 SADC Seed Committee Meeting. The Member States resolved

that the Seed Centre may start charging fees while operating under the SPGRC. They, through

the SADC Seed Committee, tasked SADC to widely distribute the SADC Seed Centre

Sustainability Business Model and its Implementation Plan for stakeholders to familiarize with

the fees and functions of the Seed Centre. The Member States further tasked the SADC

Secretariat to come up with internal modalities for the Centre to collect the relevant fees, chiefly

how and where the funds are to be kept, using which accounts.

However, by November 2021, such modalities had not been put in place. The Seed Trade

Project, in February 2022 initiated a discussion with SADC on the possibility of tabling the

issue before the SADC Council of Ministers Responsible for Agriculture to speed up

implementation.

The Centre is yet to charge the fees and therefore the achievement against this indicator

remains at zero. Given the end of the project, this will require a follow up among stakeholders

and SADC for it to come to fruition.


Sub-IR 1.3. Increased Public-Private Engagement in the Implementation of HSRS

EG.3-505-CUST: Number of Seed Companies Engaged in Regional Seed Varietal Release

During the reporting period, there were no new varieties listed on the SADC Seed Variety

Catalogue. However, five (5) were approved, and only listing is pending. These include three

(3) soybean seeds by Seed Co Zambia (SC Safari, SC Spike and SC Sentinel); one (1) vitamin-

A enriched orange maize public-bred variety, GV637A, by the new entrant, Advanta Seeds;

and one (1) sugar bean variety, Lake 101, by Lake Agriculture. Therefore, although the number

of seed varieties on the Catalogue remains at 91, a total 96 varieties have full approval and

can be traded regionally. Therefore, the number of variety holders (seed companies) moves

to 15, up from 14. The Seed Trade Project also made a recommendation to further streamline

the application and approval process by creating an online application where the application

itself, plus any accompanying documents and fees, can be done securely.

Of the 15 companies with approved varieties for listing on the SADC Seed Variety

Catalogue,14 of which are already listed, only three (Seed Co Zambia, Lake Agriculture, and

Zimbabwe Super Seeds) actively produced seed under the SADC HSRS during the reporting

period.

However, SADC Seed Centre and SCCI staff informed the Seed Trade Project that seven (7)

more applications have been received by 31 December 2021 pending finalization. Of the

seven, Seed Co Zambia has four (4) other maize seed varieties, SC555, SC553, SC547 and

SC449, pending submission of missing information, while Corteva Agriscience Zambia had the

remainder (3), namely PAN 53 and PAN 3M-05 (maize) and PAN 148 (sugar bean).

The SADC HSRS is truly gaining momentum based on the interest from the private sector for

regional release. This is attributed to the success of both the pilot and scale-up productions by

Seed Co Zambia, Lake Agriculture and Zimbabwe Super Seeds, which led to up to 365 percent

increase in the quantity of seed produced under the SADC HSRS and has allowed the three

companies to reap financial benefits from using the SADC seed labels and certificates for

regional seed trade.

Number of Seed Companies Engaged in Regional Seed Varietal Release

2021 Target 2

Q4 2021 Result 1

2021 YTD 1

LOP Target 10

LOP Results 15*


*The total LOP results represent each seed company engaged at least one time, and does not assume quarterly or

annual double-counting of seed companies.


2.2.2 OBJECTIVE 2: Increased Availability of Technologies, Management

Practices, and Innovation

EG.3-506-CUST: Number of Technologies or Management Practices Made Available as

a Result of USG Assistance

The Seed Trade Project has recognized that effective and sustainable implementation of the

SADC HSRS requires robust institutional capabilities within SADC Member States. This is in

terms of both a critical mass of competences and availability of modern equipment along the

seed value chain. Working closely with the SADC Seed Centre, the Project continued working

toward building the institutional capacities of the NSAs and NPPOs in focus countries to, at

least, meet the minimum requirements to effectively implement the SADC HSRS Seed Quality

Assurance Standards.

Over the course of 2021, the Seed Trade Project transferred numerous technologies to focus

countries, including:

Malawi: Between Q1 and Q2, the Seed Trade Project completed the transfer of the first and

second consignments of critical seed testing equipment to the Chitedze Seed Testing

Laboratory, which included: germination chambers, analytical balances, humidifiers,

desiccators, water distillers, microscopes, printers, computers, pH meters, sterilizers, and seed

counters, among other items. Further, the Project also outfitted the laboratory with an industrial

backup generator to ensure smooth operation and curb intermittent power outages. With the

scale-up and full operationalization of the Online Seed Certification in Malawi, the Project

transferred IT equipment inclusive of desktop computers and printers to the Chitedze Research

Station during the year, and in Q3, supported Malawi’s NSA to evaluate the performance of

the system. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this exercise happened electronically,

where seed companies and NSA staff submitted questions and proposals aimed at making the

System more user-friendly. The Seed Trade Project addressed the issues raised.

Lastly, the transfer of pest and plant disease testing equipment to Malawi’s NPPO was

advanced with this equipment having been delivered via DHL, is in country and awaiting routine

clearance by the NPPO. These will be installed at targeted border posts and entry/exit points.

From there, the Seed Trade Project will facilitate a training on the proper use and maintenance

of the equipment on per need basis.


To conclude Project activities in Malawi and navigate COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Seed

Trade Project and both the Regional and Malawi USAID Missions agreed to a video and media

outreach in lieu of a formal handover event for the technologies. Both the video and media

package were cleared by the Regional Mission and are with USAID Mission in Malawi for

approval.

Mozambique: Similar to Malawi, the Seed Trade Project completed the transfer of the first

(Q1) and second (Q2) consignments of critical seed testing equipment to the Chimoio Regional

Seed Testing Laboratory in Manica Province of Mozambique. Like in Malawi, this equipment

included: germination chambers, analytical balances, humidifiers, desiccators, water distillers,

microscopes, printers, computers, pH meters, sterilizers, and seed counters, among other

items. The Project also procured and installed an industrial backup generator at the Chimoio

Lab to ensure smooth operation and curb intermittent power failures. Further, to strengthen

the operationalization of the Online Seed Certification System in Mozambique, the Project

supported the NSA to conduct a monitoring visit to satellite laboratories and seed companies

in Nampula from June 8 - 11 and Chimoio from June 14 – 18, 2021. The purpose of the visits

was to evaluate the implementation of the System and to assess any areas for improvement.

Finally, the Project has also procured and delivered (via DHL) pest and plant disease testing

equipment to Mozambique’s NPPO, the Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal. Much like

Malawi, this equipment is in-country awaiting routine clearance by the NPPO, and will be

installed at targeted border posts and entry/exit points. From there, the Seed Trade Project will

facilitate a training on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

To formally conclude the Seed Trade Project’s activities in Mozambique, the Project

coordinated a handover event in Maputo during Q4 2021. During this event, and through Ms

Mary Hobbs, Director of Office of Economic Growth at USAID Mission in Mozambique, the

USG announced the transfer of nearly USD worth in technology to the Government

of the Republic of Mozambique’s (GRM) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Zambia: In Zambia, the Seed Trade Project

completed the procurement and delivery of a

digital microscope to the NSA in Q1 2021. The

digital microscope is already improving SCCI’s

ability to conduct seed purity tests, increasing the

NSA’s proficiency in Other Seed Determination

(OSD) tests, a requirement by the International

Seed Testing Association (ISTA). The Project

further facilitated the virtual training of SCCI staff

on the operation of the new equipment. This

transfer has not only addressed the technology

gap at the Institute but has also strengthened the

NSA’s human and institutional capacity to meet

the requirements of the ISTA. It has also

strengthened the NSA’s position as a go-to

partner for the SADC Seed Centre, SADC

Member States and beyond, on seed testing

capacity-building matters.


As with Malawi and Mozambique, the Seed Trade Project has also procured and delivered

pest and plant disease testing equipment to Zambia’s NPPO, the Plant Quarantine and

Phytosanitary Service (PQPS) of the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute’s (ZARI). The

equipment has been delivered in-country and awaits routine clearance by the PQPS, and

onward delivered to selected border posts and entry/exit points. From there, the Seed Trade

Project will facilitate a training on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

Zimbabwe: The Seed Trade Project has one final piece of equipment - a state-of-the-art

bacterial wilt testing set for potato seed - moving through the procurement process and

intended for the Zimbabwe Potato Seed Companies Association (ZPSCA) laboratory.

Unfortunately, there have been some challenges and delays in delivery from the selected

vendor, who is based in South Africa, due to COVID-19 restrictions impacting the supply chain.

However, the Project is confident that the equipment will be delivered in Q1 2022.

Collectively, these technologies are meant to increase human and institutional capacity to test

and trade high-quality seed within the SADC region and establish systems that support the

sustainable implementation of the SADC HSRS. Further, by updating laboratories with modern,

sophisticated equipment, digitizing systems, and training staff, the Project’s focus countries

are now enabled to meet both regional and international seed testing and general quality

assurance requirements and conduct their work more efficiently and at a lower cost.

Number of technologies or management practices made available as a result of USG assistance

2021 Target 3

Q4 2021 Result 0

2021 YTD 3

LOP Target 10

LOP Results 12


Sub-IR 2.1. Increased Public-Private Investment in the Transfer of Technologies

EG.3.1-14: Value of New USG Commitments and Private Sector Investment Leveraged

by the USG to Support Food Security and Nutrition (IM-Level)

The Seed Trade Projec initial investments of U.S. Government resources into the

three seed companies that moved from the pilot phase to the scale-up phase— Seed Co

Zambia (2018), Lake Agriculture (2019) and Zimbabwe Super Seeds (2019) — continue to see

a return on investment, as private sector investments are leveraged.

The three seed companies followed through their initial investment by scaling-up production of

hybrid maize and improved sugar bean seeds under the SADC HSRS during the 2020/2021

planting season.

At the time of seed processing, the Seed Trade Project collected information

from the seed companies regarding the estimates of how much they had invested up to that

point and production forecasts.


Value of USG and private sector investment vs value of seed produced during pilot production

Value of private sector investment vs value of seed produced during scale-up production

This represents a significant increase of Q4 2021 alone, up from

reported in Q2. With additional private sector players making investments, it is demonstrating

confidence that producing and trading improved seed under the SADC HSRS makes good

business sense. It is also an indication to other SADC seed companies that the upfront

investments will result in a favorable return.

Further, the Project expects that private sector engagement will boost the sustainability of the

SADC HSRS, making production and trade under the system commonplace, as more seed

producers realize the benefits firsthand. The engagement of more seed companies is also

expected to create an upward cycle of revenue for the SADC Seed Centre to meet the

System’s operational and administrative costs, thereby reducing and possibly eradicating the

need for external funding.

Value of Private Sector Investment Leveraged by the USG to Support Food Security and

2021 Target

Q4 2021 Result

2021 YTD

LOP Target

LOP Results

Percent of LOP Target Achieved

Company Crop Variety Country Qty.

(MT)

Value of

USG

Investment

Estimated Value

of Private Sector

Investment

Value of

Production

Return on

USG

Investment

Seed Co Maize: SC 637

and SC 719 Zambia 226 17%

Lake

Agriculture Maize: Lake 601 Zambia 250 81%

Zimbabwe

Super

Seeds

Sugar Bean:

NUA 45 Zimbabwe 200 78%

Peacock

Seeds CAP 9001 Malawi 25 1.8%

Grand Total 701

Company Crop Variety Country Qty.

(MT)

% Increase

from Pilot

Production

Estimated Value

of Private Sector

Investment

Value of

Production

Return on

Pvt. Sector

Investment

Seed Co Maize: SC 637

and SC 719 Zambia 1,050 365% 284%

Lake

Agriculture Maize: Lake 601 Zambia 850 240% 179%

Zimbabwe

Super

Seeds

Sugar Bean:

NUA 45 Zimbabwe 209 5% 421%

Grand Total 2,109


2.2.3 OBJECTIVE 3: Improved Regional Policies to Support Agricultural Growth

EG.3.1-12: Number of Agricultural and Nutrition Enabling Environment Policies

Analyzed, Consulted on, Drafted or Revised, Approved and Implemented with USG

Assistance

Alignment of national seed laws to the

regionally agreed guidelines is an

essential ingredient to guaranteeing

sustainability in the implementation of

the SADC HSRS. The process starts

with acknowledging the Memorandum of

Understanding on the Harmonization of

Seed Regulations in the Region.

Zimbabwe, though already having

regulations that are largely compliant to

the SADC HSRS, advanced toward this

important step in 2021.

During this reporting period, the President approved Zimbabwe’s accession to the SADC

HSRS MoU. The government through its Embassy in Botswana on November 10, 2021 wrote

to SADC submitting Zimbabwe’s Instruments of Accession to which SADC acknowledged

receipt on November 12, 2021 and welcomed Zimbabwe. This makes Zimbabwe the latest

SADC Member State to accede to the SADC HSRS MoU. By acceding to the SADC HSRS

MoU, Zimbabwe, a net seed exporter, will not only contribute to national and regional food

security, but will also be well-positioned to trade high-quality seed internationally. This

development was made possible with the support of the Seed Trade Project through a grant

awarded to the Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association (ZSTA) in 2019, now Zimbabwe Seed

Association (ZSA). Under the award, ZSTA developed a white paper on the benefits of

Zimbabwe’s accession to the MoU and the benefits of the SADC HSRS. The white paper was

presented to the Policy Makers including the Minister of Ministry of Lands, Agriculture,

Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.

In Mozambique, the Seed Trade Project, in collaboration with Mozambique’s NPPO,

conducted a stakeholder validation workshop on April 13. Participants validated the revised

pest list and its phytosanitary inspection and quarantine regulations, and ensured their

adequacy and alignment to the SADC HSRS’ third Technical Agreement, the Quarantine and

Phytosanitary Measures for Seed through the domestication of the SADC Pest List. The Seed

Trade Project has been collaborating with the Mozambique NPPO and the team of experts

from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure the revised phytosanitary inspection and

quarantine regulations are aligned with the SADC HSRS. From that validation meeting, the

NPPO came up with the final version of the updated regulations that included the updated

SADC Pest List, as dictated by the SADC HSRS.

On June 3, Mozambique’s NPPO presented the updated Quarantine and Phytosanitary

Regulations to the wider Directorate and high-level officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development during the Annual Technical Meeting of the National Directorate of Agri-

Livestock and Biosafety in Maputo. This was a culmination of years of concerted efforts that


followed the SADC technical meetings of November 2017 and October 2019. During these

meetings, the SADC regional Pest List was updated, and recommendations drawn up for

Member States to proceed with revisions to their respective Pest Lists and related regulatory

instruments.

Still in Mozambique, the Seed Trade Project supported the National Directorate of Agricultural

Health and Biosafety (DNSAB) and Association for the Promotion of the Seed Sector

(APROSE) in Mozambique to convene a stakeholder meeting on November 9, 2021. The

purpose of the meeting was to validate the proposed amendments to the seed regulations,

Decree 12/2013 of April 10. This is a direct result of recommendations from the 2018 Seed

Trade Project-supported Assessment of Mozambique’s Seed Sector Legal and Regulatory

Framework and the resultant Policy Briefs. The validation workshop was part of the

deliverables for the two consultants that the Seed Trade Project and Government of

Mozambique jointly contracted in September 2021 to provide insights on seeds and its

institutional framework, as well as draft the necessary amendments per the assessment report

and policy briefs. The consultants presented their proposals to the stakeholders for review and

concurrence. The Legal Specialist took the participants through the documents, highlighting

the proposed articles, as guided by the Assessment of Mozambique’s Seed Sector Legal and

Regulatory Framework and Policy Briefs.

The work is geared toward improving the

function and efficiency of Mozambique’s

seed regulations, bringing it into full

alignment with the SADC HSRS in

readiness for regional trade.

In Zambia, the Seed Trade Project

supported the SCCI in updating their seed

law, and advocating for their approval. The

meeting took place from September 21-

24, 2021 to review and revise the Law

following gaps identified during the pilot

and subsequent scale-up of the SADC

HSRS. During the meeting, which was

held jointly with the Ministry of Justice

(MoJ), the Plant Variety and Seeds

Regulations were reviewed and cross-

referenced with the provisions of the Act

by legal drafters. This enabled the MoJ

drafters to rephrase sections as needed,

ensuring the document conformed to

current legal language. As the next steps,

the, the MoJ will resubmit the documents

to the Minister of Agriculture for signing.

Once signed and the Cabinet approves,

the MoJ will submit the Bill to the National

Assembly of Zambia for consideration for

possible enactment into law.


Similarly, the Seed Trade Project partnered with the Seed Trade Association of Malawi (STAM)

to convene a sensitization meeting to discuss Malawi’s National Seed Bill with the country’s

Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on October 22, 2021 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The main

objective of the meeting was to prepare Parliamentarians for the upcoming debate with the

hope of Bill passage and onward movement to the House for approval. Following this

sensitization meeting, the DARS through the SSU of Malawi met with the Ministry of Justice

and Constitutional Affairs to discuss some areas of clarification on December 9, 2021. DARS

hopes the Bill will be tabled in Parliament in the February 2022 seating.

These review means that the Project’s achievement on this indicator has now increased to

1,200 percent of the LOP target. A total of 36 seed-related policies, bills, regulations,

Statutory Instruments (SIs), white papers and other policy related documents have been

drafted, analyzed, reviewed, debated/discussed, approved or implemented with USG

support since the inception of the Project.

Number of Agricultural and Nutrition Enabling Environment Policies Completing the Following Processes/Steps of

Development as a Result of USG Assistance

2021 Target 1

Q4 2021 Result 2

2021 YTD 3

LOP Target 3

LOP Results 36

Percent of LOP Target Achieved 1,200 %

2.2.4 CROSS-CUTTING INDICATORS

EG.3-17-CUST: Number of Food Security Private Enterprises (For Profit), Producers’

Organizations, Water Users’ Associations, Women’s Groups, Trade and Business

Associations, and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) Receiving USG Assistance

Strengthening the capacity of both public and private sector institutions to carry out various

responsibilities outlined in the SADC HSRS guidelines is essential to ensuring sustainable

implementation of the System. Therefore, the Seed Trade Project continued providing various

forms of institutional support during the period under review which ranged from multi-

institutional (i.e., through trainings and information sharing or technical workshops) to

institution-specific tailor-made support packages (i.e., through provision of technical support to

export seed, laboratory equipment for seed testing, IT equipment, field monitoring and capacity

building visits, among others). These activities have been extensively discussed in the

previous sections. Table 1 below shows the names of institutions, specific types of support

rendered and type of institution (whether new or continuing) that received the support.

In total, 52 organizations were supported, which included twenty new (received support for the

first time) and thirty-two continuing/repeat organizations (supported by the Project before

2021). Recording only the new, first time participating institutions, this brings the total number

of organizations supported since the inception of the Project to 192 out of the LOP target of

120. This translates into 160 percent achievement against LOP target for the indicator.


List of Organizations Supported by the Seed Trade Project and Type(s) of Support Provided

# Assistance Provided Number of

Organizations

Type and Name(s) of

Organization(s) 1 Online Seed Certification field capacity building and

evaluation, assorted laboratory equipment, IT

equipment and generators

2 Both continuing (Malawi and

Mozambique NSAs)

2 Training on variety release, seed testing and

certification, quarantine and phytosanitary

measures for seed

7 3 new; 4 continuing (Various seed

companies and institutions)

3 Training on seed production under SADC HSRS 3 2 new, 1 continuing (Farms

engaged by Lake Agriculture)

4 Field capacity building visits to SADC HSRS scale-

up fields in Zambia and Zimbabwe; and training on

the administration and maintenance of the

revamped website

1 Continuing (SADC Seed Centre)

5 Digital microscope for Other Seed Determination

tests as required by the International Seed Testing

Association and adopted by the SADC HSRS.

1 Continuing (Zambia’s NSA)

6 Convening of the stakeholder validation workshop

to review/validate the revised phytosanitary and

quarantine regulations and updated pest list and

grants for seed testing at border posts

1 Continuing (Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal)

7 Seed Certification and Quality Assurance training 14 3 new; 11 continuing (Various

seed companies in Malawi)

8 Convening of the SADC Seed Technical Committee

Meeting and seed producers’ webinar 10 8 new (AFSTA, Zimbabwe Plant

Breeders Association, IITA,

Advanta, Curechem Group,

Tobacco Research Board,

Windmills Development Group); 2

continuing (SADC FANR,

Capstone, and various seed

companies) 9 Training of private seed inspectors 15 All continuing (Various seed

companies) 10 Review of the draft Plant Variety and Seeds Law 2 1 new (Ministry of Justice), 1

continuing (Zambia NSA) 11 Training for farmers engaged in seed production

under SADC HSRS, technical assistance to

successfully export 570 MT of seed to Mozambique

and guidelines on sugar bean production under the

SADC HSRS

1 Continuing (Lake Agriculture)

12 Review of the draft National Seed Bill in Malawi 5 3 new (Parliamentary Committee

on Agriculture, Farmers Union of

Malawi and CISANET); 2

continuing (STAM and Malawi

NSA)

13 Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) training 3 All continuing (NPPOs for Malawi,

Mozambique and Zambia)

14 Seed regulations validation 2 Both continuing (National

Directorate of Agricultural Health

and Biosafety and Association for

the Promotion of the Seed Sector)

Total 52*

*This counts each organization only once irrespective of the number of times it was supported during the reporting

period


Number of Food Security Private Enterprises (for Profit), Producers’ Organizations, Water Users’ Associations, Women’s Groups, Trade and Business Associations, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) Receiving USG Assistance

2021 Target 10

Q4 2021 Result 10

2021 YTD 52

LOP Target 120

LOP Results 201

Percent of LOP Target

Achieved

167.5%

EG.3-508-CUST: Value of Grants Distributed

In Q2 2021, the Seed Trade

Project awarded one in-kind

grant worth the

Departamento de Sanidade

Vegetal, Mozambique’s

NPPO, for the procurement

of plant pest and disease

testing equipment for

selected border posts and

seed entry/exit points. This

is expected to lead to

quicker and safer trade of

plants and plant products,

including seed, between

Mozambique and other

countries, especially those outside SADC with different seed testing standards. The

procurement of the diagnostic equipment ensures that any pest and disease infestations on

all plant products or materials exported outside the SADC region and those being imported

from outside the region are rapidly and accurately diagnosed. This, in turn, will promote safe

trade of seed while reducing the time and cost of doing business because diagnostics will be

done at the entry/exit point without being sent from the border post to a centralized laboratory

such as Chimoio, Nampula or Maputo.

In Q3 and Q4, the Project continued pushing for the successful completion of this and other

existing grants delayed due to COVID-19 country restriction. Key among these was the

identification of vendors and issuance of purchase orders for the procurement of plant pest

and disease testing equipment for points-of-entry and exit for Malawi, Mozambique, and

Zambia. In Q4, all pest and disease testing equipment were delivered to respective countries

and currently awaiting routine clearance by the NPPOs.

Overall, the Seed Trade Project has awarded 18 grants worth US epresenting 102

percent achievement of the LOP target for this indicator.


List of Grants Awarded Since Inception of the Project

# NAME OF GRANTEE GRANT # APPROVED

GRANT AMOUNT

AMOUNT DISBURSED

PERIOD OF AWARD

CLOSEOUT STATUS

Grants Awarded in 2017

1 Zambia Seed Trade Association (ZASTA)

G-Pre-001 Closed

Subtotal 2017

Grants A

2 Seed Trade Association of Malawi (STAM)

G-LSK-003 Closed

3 APROSE G-LSK-005 Closed

4 Seed Control & Certification Institute (SCCI)

G-Pre-004 Closed

5 Seed Co. Zambia G-Pre-006 Closed

Subtotal 2018


6 Mozambique NSA G-LSK-007 Open

7 Seed Service Unit (SSU) G-LSK-008 Closed

8 Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association (ZSTA)

G-LSK-006 Closed

9 Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative Company

G-LSK-009 Closed

10 Lake Agriculture G-LSK-010 Closed

11 Seed Service Unit (SSU) G-LSK-011 Closed

12 Mozambique NSA G-LSK-012 Closed

Subtotal 2019


13 Peacock Seed Malawi G-LSK-013 Closed

14 Zimbabwe Seed Potato Companies Association

G-LSK-014 Open

15 Seed Control & Certification Institute (SCCI)

G-LSK-015 Closed

16 Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services (PQPS)

G-LSK-016 Open

17 Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS)

G-LSK-017 Open

Subtotal 2020


18 Mozambique NPPO G-LSK-018 Open

Subtotal 2021

GRAND TOTAL

Value of Grants Distributed by the Seed Trade Project

2021 Target

Q4 2021 Result

2021 YTD

LOP Target

LOP Results



SECTION 3.0. CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES

3.1. Program Management

The COVID-19 pandemic continued ravaging the SADC region during 2021 triggering several

restrictions among Member States. During the reporting period, most countries opened in

the second wave during January 2021, then went into a third during June – August, and

fourth wave of the Omicron variant during November 2021 into 2022, with surges in both the

infection and mortality rates.

This affected the roll-out of some Project activities. As a result, the team continued to employ

an adaptive management strategy throughout 2021 utilizing technology and strict COVID-19

prevention measures to press onward, including hybrid formats for trainings and workshops,

social distancing, and mask-wearing, and online staff weekly meeting. Additionally, staff

continued to work remotely from home.

3.1.1 Adaptive Management Under COVID-19

During 2021, Project staff continued, for the most part, to telecommute due to the upward trend

of the positive COVID-19 cases resulting from the new variants (Delta and Omicron) coupled

with limited access to vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. The prevention measures were

reinforced to mitigate workplace risk, including limiting the number of staff that are authorized

to come and have access to some IT resources. All non-essential international travels for non-

vaccinated staff were also cancelled.

3.1.2 Operations and Procurements During this reporting period, the Seed Trade Project implemented activities in alignment with

national directives for each focus country – Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as

well as SADC. To facilitate in-person meetings, workshops, field visits and other events, and

to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, the Seed Trade Project procured and distributed safety

items, such as hand sanitizer and face masks, and enforced social distancing.

The Seed Trade Project has also concluded the procurement processes for the remaining four

in-kind grants as per the previous table. The only outstanding procurement is the first ever

bacterial wilt testing set for potato seed to be housed under the Zimbabwe Potato Seed

Companies Association’s laboratory in Zimbabwe.

.


3.1.3 Staffing (LTTAs, STTAs and Consultants)

The Seed Trade Project initiated the process to engage two consultants, a Seed Systems

Specialist and a Legal Expert in Mozambique, to conduct an introspective review of the existing

seed regulations, decree 12/2013. The review was done in view of the recommendations of

the Seed Trade Project funded Assessment of Mozambique’s Seed Sector Legal and

Regulatory Framework and the resultant Policy Briefs as well as other existing seed systems

related reports. This was with the objective of updating and aligning the existing seed

regulations to the SADC HSRS. The consultants also look at other regional and international

protocols pertaining to seed system harmonization and identified drafted the amendments. The

revised seed regulations were validated in Q4 2021 towards recommending to the Minister of

Agriculture and Rural Development for gazetting as Ministerial Diplomas.

During the same period, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Program Assistant left

the Project. Others whose contracts ended include the Mozambique Country Advisor, the

Policy Development Specialist, the Operations and Procurement Assistant and the

Receptionist. For the separated personnel, proactive management insured a smooth transition

and did not negatively affect the activities of the Project.

Seven (7) staff members remain on the project to implement final activities and carry out close

down requirements.

In addition, DAI identified and deployed a Closedown Manager and an IT Specialist to assist in developing and implementing the close down process.

3.1.4 Close-down Process

During Q4 2021, the close down plan was developed and submitted to USAID. Some key

operation priorities were identified and implemented, including the closure of the Lusaka office

on December 10, 2021. Following is a list of other close down activities accomplished in Q4

2021:

Disposition plan submitted to USAID and approved on November 10, 2021 for non-

expendable items to Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS), Seed

Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), Southern African Development Community

Plant Genetic Resource Centre (SPGRC), Zambia Seed Trade Association (ZASTA)

in Zambia and Seed Certification and Quality Control Unit/Seed Services Unit -

Department of Agricultural Research Services in Malawi.

Disposition plan submitted and approved on December 06, 2021 for non-expendable

items to SUN TA in Zambia and to Direcção Nacional da Agricultura e Silvicultura of

the Ministerio da Agricultura e Desenvolvimiento Rural in Mozambique.

Staff demobilization.

Verification and shipment of documents to DAI Home Office.

The Seed Trade Project identified the potential recipients of the expendable and non-

expendable equipment based on their needs.


3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan and

Implementation Update

Implementation Update

3.2.1 Project Routine Reporting

During 2021, the Seed Trade

Project continued

implementing the updated

Monitoring, Evaluation and

Learning (MEL) Plan by

tracking progress on Project

activities through routine

data collection and

aggregation for decision-

making and reporting.

The Project also continued to

compile and submit weekly

and quarterly donor reports

to keep USAID informed and

updated on Project activities. These included Feed the Future reporting through the

Development Information System. Further, the Chief of Party held weekly management and

update calls with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

3.2.4 Conduct Internal Data Quality Assessment

The Seed Trade Project continued to conduct internal data quality assessments (DQA) as part

of the process of testing the accuracy, relevancy, validity, timeliness, and consistency of its

data. This was done through verifying that activity records were collected and submitted by

and to the M&E unit with other Project records. These include activity reports and attendance

registers at all Project offices (Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia).

MEL Plans for Q1 2022

The Seed Trade Project will prepare an End of Project Report, detailing all the successes,

challenges and lessons learned during the implementation phase. The Project will ensure that

audited and final results are used in the preparation of the report.


3.3 Integration of Cross-cutting Issues and USAID Forward

Priorities

3.3.1 Gender Equality and Female Empowerment

In pursuit of inclusive agricultural

growth as dictated by the Feed the

Future goals, the Seed Trade Project

continues to ensure it enhances gender

integration and women’s

empowerment. To this end, the Seed

Trade Project continued to implement

Project activities in a manner that

upholds these values despite the

Project being designed and

implemented in a way that it does not

work directly with farmer-beneficiaries

but rather through well-established institutions such as SADC and Government institutions.

Project activities continued to be guided by values contained in the Women’s Empowerment

in Agriculture Index (WEAI). This requires that all projects funded by the USG’s Feed the

Future Initiative continue to track changes in women’s empowerment levels that occur as a

direct or indirect result of interventions.

Guided by this macro-level goal, the Seed Trade Project engaged 173 individuals in its

activities during 2021, of whom 52 (30 percent) were female. Overall, a cumulative 2,156

people have participated in Seed Trade Project activities, of whom 671 are female,

representing an overall female participation of 31.1 percent to date.

3.3.2 Sustainability Mechanisms (including Local Solutions and Partnerships)

The Seed Trade Project implements only through existing private and government institutions,

including seed companies, NSAs, NPPOs, Seed Traders Associations, and the SADC

Secretariat. Structurally, these institutions will sustain the work of both the Seed Trade Project

and their own investments well beyond the life of the project.

The Seed Trade Project remains actively engaged with public-private partners and continues

to re-enforce their institutional capacity. Ongoing collaboration with seed trade associations in

all four focus countries (STAM in Malawi, APROSE in Mozambique, ZASTA in Zambia, and

ZSA in Zimbabwe) emphasizes increased awareness of the SADC HSRS, and provides an

opportunity for the associations to take ownership in driving the policy forward. In addition, the

Project has provided technical and financial support to the NSAs and NPPOs in the focus

countries to make sure that they have the human and institutional capacities to conduct the

activities required of them and as stipulated in the Technical Agreements on Harmonization of

Seed Regulations in the SADC Region.


Further, the Seed Trade Project continues to push for the full functionality of the SADC Seed

Centre and has successfully engaged the SADC Secretariat to co-opt the Centre under the

SPGRC due to delays in Member States signing its Charter. Given the slow progress to make

the Centre operational, moving it under SPGRC has been a necessary step to avoid frustration

from those SADC Member States and stakeholders, especially seed companies, who have

made investments in the SADC HSRS. During the August 23-24 SADC Seed Technical and

Committee meeting, the Seed

Trade Project further worked with

SADSC and Member States to pass

a resolution that allows the SADC

Seed Centre to proceed in charging

fees for its services as stipulated in

the SADC Seed Centre

Sustainability Business Model and

the SADC Seed Centre

Sustainability Business Model

Implementation Plan while

operating under SPGRC.

Lastly, the Project’s investments in

seed companies to pilot the SADC

HSRS is also creating a self-perpetuating dynamic. Not only is the pilot experience having a

positive impact on their bottom lines, but also word is getting out about the benefits and

attracting the attention of other seed companies. As more seed producers begin producing

seed under the SADC HSRS, and NSAs and NPPOs find their feet in terms of providing

guidance to them, the system should become common practice and self-sustaining.

3.3.3 Science, Technology, and Innovation

With the support of the USG, the Seed Trade Project has digitized Seed Certification and

Quality Assurance Systems in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. With the installation of the

Online Seed Certification System, and following the success of the system in Zambia, seed

traders in Malawi and Mozambique can now seek government online from field registration

to certification for their seed, including printing of the Certificates. This move significantly cuts

processing time while making it easier to ensure the quality of resultant seed. This is because

the Online Seed Certification System replaces manual processes, thus dramatically

improving quality assurance in real time and increasing the capacity of NSAs by creating

efficiencies across the seed certification continuum.

Developed in partnership with the NSAs in each country, the systems are functional in three

focus countries (Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia). The Seed Trade Project has finalized

procurement of IT equipment to support the roll-out of the systems to include all the seed

producers in Malawi and Mozambique.

In Q1 2021, the Project successfully procured a digital microscope for the SCCI and

facilitated training of the staff by the vendor on May 20, 2021. This followed the SCCI’s

request for support from the Seed Trade Project in 2020 after challenges in passing the ISTA


audits which threatened the Zambia seed industry. Zambia being the seed maize production

hub of the region, the ripple effect from Zambia losing its ISTA accreditation would mean

inability to export, thereby impacting food and nutrition security in SADC and beyond. Given

the foregoing, the Seed Trade Project responded to the request by awarding SCCI a

US$9,000 in-kind grant to procure the digital microscope. The new equipment is not only

addressing a significant technology gap but is also strengthening the SCCI’s human and

institutional capacity to conduct seed purity testing. It is also aiding its proficiency in Other

Seed Determination (OSD) test, which they continually failed during ISTA audits. The OSD

is a requirement by ISTA, and the SADC HSRS uses ISTA seed testing standards as its

benchmark.

Further, on May 6, the Seed Trade Project worked with the Malawi NSA, the SSU, to facilitate

a one-day virtual training for 12 seed companies on the Online Seed Certification System.

The purpose of the training was to scale-up awareness and operationalization of the system

among all seed producers in Malawi. The topics covered included: field registration, import

registration, field inspection, lot number applications, sampling application, seed testing and

certification. Twelve (22) seed producer representatives participated from the following

organizations: Pyxus Agriculture (02), Pannar Malawi (01), Agricultural Research and

Extension Trust (01), Seed Co. Malawi (04), Pantochi Seeds (01), Bayer Crop Science (01),

Nema Farm Seeds (01), Global Seeds (03), Peacock Seeds (02), Multi Seeds Company

(MUSECO) (06), Mgom’mero Seeds (04) and UVGV - Limbe Leaf (01). Because of this

training, participating seed producers can now fully utilize the Online System, in place of the

manual processes, thus dramatically improving efficiencies and quality assurance, thereby

increasing the capacity of the NSA.

Still in Malawi, the Seed Trade Project procured various seed testing laboratory equipment

and a heavy-duty standby electricity generator set (which will help curb the challenge of power

outages).

Toward the end of the reporting period, the Seed Trade Project finalized the procurement

process for the NPPO in-kind grants of pests and disease testing equipment for selected

border posts and other points-of-entry/exit in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Once the

equipment is cleared by the respective NPPOs and on a per need basis, the Seed Trade

Project will facilitate virtual training among the plant health inspectors on rapid and accurate

diagnosis of plant pests and diseases using the procured equipment. This initiative will

contribute toward full implementation of the SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures

for Seed, which will promote safe trade and reduce the time and cost of doing seed business.

Because of this, as an additional benefit, both the SADC Seed Centre and NPPO will realize

additional income to sustain their operations through the issuance of SADC Phytosanitary

Certificates and Fumigation Certificates.

On October 28, 2021, the U.S. Government, through Mary Hobbs, Economic Growth Director

for USAID Mission in Mozambique (pictured), handed over nearly worth in

technology to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GRM) at the Ministry of


Agriculture and Rural Developmen

National Director of Plant and Animal Health and

Biosafety represented the GRM. The technology was

procured through the Seed Trade Project, and included

the Online Seed Certification System, laboratory

equipment, ICT equipment and standby generator set

helping to improve local seed quality assurance. It will

also expedite and streamline the import and export of

high-quality seed to the country, while significantly cutting

costs and paperwork associated with seed certification

and trade. The technologies support the ongoing

implementation of the SADC HSRS and advancing seed

trade across the region.

These technologies are key assets to improve the capacity of the seed sector in Mozambique to be able to respond to the growing demand for quality, certified seed, and gives the government more control over the seed circulating throughout the country.

At the regional level, during the latter part of the reporting period, the Seed Trade Project

concluded the revamping of the SADC Seed Centre website which awaits launch. In

preparation for this, the Seed Trade Project supported and facilitated a one-day, hands-on

virtual training on Monday, December 6 for the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator, Ms. Tilabilenji

Phiri, and the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) Technical Officer

Documentation and Information, Mr. Mike Daka. The two will be responsible for the website

administration and maintenance and have now been prepared with practical guidance on

website content management and maintenance. The training included an overview of the new

website and content management system; how to update the website; website security and

maintenance; hands-on training on managing the SADC Seed Centre Website; and website

statistics and analytics.

Once finalized and launched, the website will give seed stakeholders access to information

related to variety release, seed certification and quality assurance, and quarantine and

phytosanitary measures for seed, as well as market information across SADC Member States.

It will also provide access to the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue, including more expansive

information about each seed variety. The website will also contain a web-based regional seed

market information database, which, upon population, will provide seed stakeholders with

accurate information on seed supply and demand within SADC, thereby aiding forecasting and

trade. The launch of the website awaits repurchasing of the domain name, migration of the

Market Portal, and a final decision on hosting. In the next quarter, the Project expects that the

SADC Seed Centre Coordinator will provide guidance on the issue.


3.4 Stakeholder Participation and Involvement

Collaborating effectively with all stakeholders, like the NSAs, NPPOs, the SADC FANR,

private sector and others, is key to successful regional sustainability efforts for the SADC

HSRS. This is because all actors in the seed value chain are interdependent and integral to

improving seed systems. Concerted efforts and resource-leveraging also play a key role to

realizing the maximum impact. These are dynamics which the Seed Trade Project recognizes

and shapes interventions at different points in the value chain to attain that intended impact.

As part of efforts to achieve this, the Project has convened and participated in meetings with

various stakeholders during the reporting quarter. Below are some of the key engagements.

3.4.1 Seed Trade Project Engagement with Stakeholders

Malawi Stakeholders Galvanize to Prepare the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture

on National Seed Bill

The Seed Trade Project partnered with the Seed Trade Association of Malawi in making

preparations for the facilitation of a one-day meeting between the seed industry partners and

members of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture of Malawi. Other partners in these

preparations included the Farmers’ Union of Malawi (FUM), the Civil Society Agriculture

Network (CISANET), and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The meeting

was to be part of efforts to expedite the promulgation of the Malawi Seed Bill into the Seed

Act.

The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture

with the contents of the draft Seed Bill, equipping them with knowledge to further debate and

hopefully pass the Bill. The meeting brought together 66 participants who included 20

Members of Parliament (MPs).

USAID Malawi Sustainable Economic Growth Office Deputy Director,

represented the U.S. Government and said the sensitization meeting marked another

milestone for Malawi in its journey toward a National Seed Act, creating a pathway for the

nation to advance its agricultural sector and provide farmers across the Southern African

Development Community and beyond with more resilient, high-quality seed. And STAM

Chairperson, Ms. Chikondi Ng’ombe, further stressed the importance of the Seed Bill ,

pointing out that despite huge investment in the seed sector, Malawi was facing significant

challenges due to the seed law being enforced, which affected service delivery by the seed

certifying authority; preventing the curbing of fake seed; and prolonging the variety release

process.


artment of Agricultural Research Services, through the Head of SSU, Dr.

resented the background on the Malawi Seed Bill, what has changed, why

the change, and the required action. Once done, the Bill will go to the Ministry of Agriculture

to address any issues, before submission to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General

for their clearance. At this point, the MPs will need to be convened again with copies of the

Bill for their input before its introduction in Parliament.

As a follow up action, on December 9, 2021, the DARS through SSU met with the Ministry of

Justice and Constitutional Affairs to discuss some areas of clarification in the Bill. SSU Head,

informed the Seed Trade Project that SSU clarified the issues and the

Ministry of Justice were working on the Bill, with the hope of tabling in Parliament in the

February 2022 seating

Malawi has continued to make strides toward domesticating the SADC HSRS. In addition to

the Seed Bill, the country has a new Plant Protection Act which was enacted in May 2018

and a National Seed Policy which was officially launched in the same year.

Mozambique Stakeholder Validation Workshop on Revised Phytosanitary and

Quarantine Regulations Furthers SADC HSRS Alignment

On April 13, 2021, the Seed Trade Project supported the NPPO in Mozambique to host a

stakeholder validation workshop on the revised pest list and its phytosanitary inspection and

quarantine regulations. The purpose of the workshop was to validate the revised regulations

for adequacy and alignment to the SADC HSRS, including the updated SADC Pest List, in an

effort to accelerate adoption and implementation.

To get to this stage, the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary

Measures/Trade Related Facility, financed by the European Union (EU), supported the update

and revision processes. The Seed Trade Project collaborated with an expert team from the

University Eduardo Mondlane, providing technical know-how, and engaged the Ministry of

Industry and Trade during the revision process, ensuring the revised Phytosanitary Inspection


and Quarantine Regulations are aligned with the SADC HSRS’ third Technical Agreement, the

Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed and include the SADC Pest List.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the stakeholder workshop took a hybrid format, employing

both in-person and virtual platforms. Thirty-two people participated in-person while 40 people

participated virtually. Participants came from government institutions, private sector,

development partners and academia. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development, Office of Animal and Plant Health and Biosecurity, NPPO, and the Legal

Office of the Minister’s Cabinet and other high-level dignitaries were present. The comments

and recommendations from the meeting were collected and inserted in the documents for

internal discussions. During the June 3-4 Annual Technical Meeting of the National

Directorate of Agri-Livestock and Biosafety, the regulations were discussed towards

finalization and submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mozambique Seed Sector Stakeholders Meet to Discuss Amendments to the Seed

Regulation Decree 12/2013

The Seed Trade Project continued to render support to the Government of Mozambique

towards the country’s efforts to amend its seed regulations. On November 9, 2021, Project

supported the National Directorate of Agricultural Health and Biosafety (DNSAB) and

APROSE to convene a stakeholder meeting, whose purpose was to validate the proposed

amendments to the seed regulations, Decree 12/2013 of April 10. This was a direct result of

recommendations from the 2018 Seed Trade Project-supported Assessment of

Mozambique’s Seed Sector Legal and Regulatory Framework and the resultant Policy Briefs.

To reach to this stage, in September 2021, the Seed Trade Project contracted two

consultants: a Seed Specialist to provide insights on seeds and its institutional framework;

and a Legal Expert to draft the necessary amendments. This work was geared toward


improving the function and efficiency of Mozambique’s seed regulations, and to bring it into

full alignment with the SADC HSRS.

During the validation meeting, the consultants presented their proposals to the stakeholders

for review and concurrence. The Legal Specialist highlighted the proposed articles, as guided

by the Assessment of Mozambique’s Seed Sector Legal and Regulatory Framework.

(Head of the Department of Seed - NSA); and Eng. Marcelino Botão (Chairman of APROSE).

Other participants came from seed companies and other producers, agro-dealers, FAO

Mozambique, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Seed Trade

Project.

Speaking during her closing remarks, advised that once the

consultants consolidate the changes in the draft regulations, the document should be

circulated to the rest of the country for socialization and further input through the regional

laboratories and APROSE members in other provinces, under specific timelines.

As a prelude to the stakeholder validation meeting, the USAID Mission in Mozambique


SADC Seed Centre Coordinator Undertakes Joint Visits with the Seed Trade Project to

SADC HSRS Fields

The Seed Trade Project continued to effectively engage and transfer ownership of the SADC

HSRS process to the SADC Seed Centre by engaging into joint activities. For example,

between April 12 and 15, 2021, the Project facilitated a physical field visit for the SADC Seed

Centre Coordinator, o three Seed Co. Zambia Ltd hybrid seed maize

fields at Nyamanzi farm in Serenje (60 ha of variety SC 719), Damust farm in Mkushi (240

ha of SC 637), and Seed Co Mkushi South farm (902 ha of SC 719). The Coordinator also

visited Lake Agriculture maize seed fields at Paul Dobson farm in Mkushi (40 ha of Lake

601), farm in Kabwe (50 ha of Lake 601), and Allan Miller field in Lusaka (78

ha of Lake 601).

Further, on June 10, the Seed Trade Project facilitated a virtual field visit for the SADC Seed

Centre Coordinator to four Zimbabwe Super Seeds improved sugar bean certified seed

(variety NUA 45) production fields in Masvingo West, Zimbabwe. This virtual visit was as a

result of SADC’s indefinite ban on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic which

curtailed the Coordinator’s in-person visits.

The field visits gave the SADC

Seed Centre Coordinator an

opportunity to monitor progress of

the scale-up efforts and gradually

transition ownership and

oversight of SADC HSRS seed

productions to the SADC Seed

Centre. They also served as a

relationship strengthening activity

between the Centre and the

private sector seed companies,

who are the primary users of the

SADC HSRS.

During the reporting period, Seed Co Zambia, Lake Agriculture, and Zimbabwe Super Seeds

scaled up the production of seed under the SADC HSRS seed certification and quality

assurance system using their own resources, following the successful pilots in 2018/2019

and 2019/2020 planting seasons, respectively. For these scale-up productions, the Seed

Trade Project was supporting the seed companies by providing technical support and

backstopping around the SADC HSRS throughout production to exporting of the seed.

SADC Seed Centre Coordinator Hosts Quarterly Meetings with the Seed Trade Project

In 2021, the SADC Seed Centre Coordinator successfully hosted all the scheduled quarterly

meetings between the SPGRC/SADC Seed Centre and Seed Trade Project. These meetings

formed part of the Project’s plan for the final implementation year to track progress on the

operationalization of the SADC Seed Centre, thus contributing toward the effective

implementation of the SADC HSRS.


The quarterly meetings looked at several issues which included:

(i) Progress made on the operationalization of the SADC Seed Centre, particularly

looking at: sustainability of the SADC Seed Centre; signing of the SADC Seed Centre

Charter by SADC Member States; and capacity-building and monitoring visits by the

SADC Seed Centre Coordinator;

(ii) Progress made and challenges faced on variety listing on the SADC Seed Variety

Catalogue;

(iii) Progress made on seed production under the SADC HSRS;

(iv) Updates on regional training on quarantine and phytosanitary measures for seed; and

(v) Communications support including progress made on updating of the SADC Seed

Centre website, the Regional Seed Information Database, and others

SADC FANR and Seed Trade Project Jointly Host a Webinar for Seed Producers

Toward the end of the current reporting period, on December 9, 2021, the SADC FANR

Directorate and the Seed Trade Project hosted a seed producer webinar. Organized under the

theme “Taking Advantage of the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System for Market Gain,”

the webinar aimed to inform seed stakeholders, particularly seed producers across all 16

SADC Member States, about the SADC HSRS, benefits of producing and exporting seed under

the system, and how to register and list improved seed varieties on the SADC Seed Variety

Catalogue. Further, the webinar provided a platform for SADC to encourage all Member States

and seed companies to adopt and implement the Technical Agreements on Harmonization of

Seed Regulations in the SADC Region.

The 2.5-hour webinar attracted 58 participants from SADC Member States and beyond:

Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe,

and representation from Kenya by Africa Seed Trade Association (AFSTA). The participants

consisted of representatives from NSAs, NPPOs, Zimbabwe Plant Breeders Association, the

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) like the International

Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with participates from Nigeria, seed trader’s associations,

and seed companies including: Advanta, Capstone, Corteva, Kamano, Klein Karoo, QualiBasic

Seeds, Zimbabwe Super Seeds and Seed Co. International, as well as Curechem Group,

Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Research Board, Windmill Development Group Zimbabwe, to mention a

few.

stated that the dialogue and platform should be an ongoing one and not a one-off activity. He

further stressed that as the world was changing, SADC should keep the conversation going

and keep changing and adapting.


The engagement of the participants was particularly high around the process for seed

registration and approval.

3.5 Tasks/Interventions for the Next Reporting Period

The Seed Trade Project will continue to prioritize activities that focus on sustainability and

knowledge transfer. The Project, while keeping a keen eye on budgetary limitations, is also

focused on activities advancing SADC Member States on the policy continuum so that they

continue their journey toward domesticating and implementing the SADC HSRS beyond the

life of the Seed Trade Project. Among others, the Project plans to implement the following

activities in the next quarter depending on the COVID-19 situation:

i. Finalize and launch the SADC Seed Centre’s website, which will provide more

information and resources to SADC seed stakeholders, including access to the

guidelines, market information and trends, and tutorials for how to register seed

varieties on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue.

ii. Continue to provide technical backstopping to Zimbabwe Super Seeds in having the

export documentation issued in readiness for seed export to Mozambique

iii. Track progress on the operationalization of the SADC Seed Centre, especially

around its charging and collecting fees for its services, through joint meetings among

the SPGRC, SADC Seed Centre and the Seed Trade Project.

iv. Track progress of the Zambia and Malawi Seed Laws

v. Ensure all pest and plant disease testing equipment are cleared by NPPOs and

delivered to border posts in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, and that the

necessary orientation for the plant health inspectors on the new equipment is done

vi. Finalize the procurement of ZSPCA in-kind grant equipment

vii. Submit the end of project report


ANNEX A: SUMMARY OF RESULTS

GOAL: Increased Seed Trade Across SADC Region

EG.3-507-CUST: Quantity (MT) of high-quality seed traded under HSR by crop

Unit of Measure Metric Tons

Disaggregation Type of Seed; Country of Origin

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 300

Q4 2021 Result 1,259

2021 YTD 2,109

LOP Target 450

LOP Results 2,810


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 0 0 0 30 0 200 226 224 475 300 2,109

EG.3.1-c: Value of targeted agricultural commodities exported with USG assistance

Unit of Measure US Dollar

Disaggregation Type of Seed; Country of Origin

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value $0

2021 Target

Q4 2021 Result

2021 YTD

LOP Target

LOP Results


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 0 0 0 0 0


RESULT 1: Increased Availability of Improved Seeds in the Region

Sub-IR 1.1.1: Increased Human Capacities

EG.3.2: Number of Individuals Participating in USG Food Security Programs (IM-Level)

Unit of Measure Number

Disaggregation Type of Individual; Gender

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 100

Q4 2021 Result 58

2021 YTD 173

LOP Target 1,669

LOP Results 2,156


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

192 171 317 343 560 552 560 522 158 395 100 173

Sub-IR 1.1.2: Increased Institutional Capacities

Sub-IR 1.2: Strengthened systems for regional variety release, certification and

quality assurance

EG.3-501-CUST: Sustainable Business Model for Regional Seed Variety Release; Certification

and Quality Assurance Operational


Disaggregation None

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 1

Q4 2021 Result 0

2021 YTD 0

LOP Target 1

LOP Results 1


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 N/A N/A 1 0


EG.3-502-CUST: Percent of Regional HSR Administrative System Costs Covered by

Revenues Generated

Unit of Measure Percent

Disaggregation None

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0%

2021 Target 50%

Q4 2021 Result 0%

2021 YTD 0%

LOP Target 50%

LOP Results 0%


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 15% 0% 35% 0% 50% 0%

Sub-IR 1.3: Increased public-private engagement in the implementation of the

HSRS

EG.3-505-CUST: Number of Seed Companies Engaged in Regional Seed Varietal Release


Disaggregation Type of Company; Crop Type

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 2

2021 Target 2

Q4 2021 Result 1

2021 YTD 1

LOP Target 10

LOP Results 15*


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 1 2 1 2 4 2 9 1 10 2 1

*The total LOP results are not cumulative. Hence each engaged seed company is represented once only and there

isn’t year-to-year double-counting of seed companies.


RESULT 2: Increased Availability of Technologies, Management

Practices and Innovations

EG.3-506-CUST: Number of Technologies or Management Practices Transferred as a Result

of USG Assistance


Disaggregation Country; Type

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 3

Q4 2021 Result 0

2021 YTD 3

LOP Target 10

LOP Results 12


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 1 2 0 5 1 4 5 4 2 3 3

Sub-IR 2.1: Increased public-private investment in the transfer of technologies

EG.3.1-14 Value of new USG Commitments and Private Sector Investment Leveraged by the

USG to Support Food Security and Nutrition


Disaggregation Country

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value

2021 Target

Q4 2021 Result

2021 YTD

LOP Target

LOP Results


2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

$0 $0 $0 $0


Sub-IR 2.2: Strengthened Regional Partnerships for Agricultural Technologies

and Management *See high-level indicator “Number of public-private partnerships formed as a result of Feed the Future assistance.”

RESULT 3: Improved Regional Policies to Support Agricultural

Growth

Sub-IR 3.1: Strengthened Regional Capacity for Inclusive and Evidence-Based

Policy Planning

EG.3.1-12: Number of Agricultural and Nutrition Enabling Environment Policies Analyzed,

Consulted On, Drafted or Revised, Approved and Implemented with USG Assistance


Disaggregation Policy Area; Process/Step

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 1

Q4 2021 Result 2

2021 YTD 3

LOP Target 3

LOP Results 36

Percent of LOP Target Achieved 1,200%*

*The target for indicator was initially for regional policies only. However, the dropping of indicator EG.3.2-b which

looked at national level policies supporting regionally agreed policies necessitated the merging of results for the

two indicators into one.

2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 0 2 2 0 9 2 20 2 2 1 3

Cross-cutting Indicators

EG.3-17-CUST: Number of Food Security Private Enterprises (For Profit), Producers’ Organizations, Water Users’ Associations, Women’s Groups, Trade and Business Associations, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) Receiving USG Assistance


Disaggregation New/Continuing

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value 0

2021 Target 10

Q4 2021 Result 10*


2021 Target 10

2021 YTD 52**

LOP Target 120

LOP Results 201***


*Number of organizations supported for the first time in Q4 2021

**Counting each organization only once irrespective of the number of times supported in the year (both new and

continuing).

***Actual number of organizations supported (excludes repeat assistance).

2016

Target

2016

Result

2017

Target

2017

Result

2018

Target

2018

Result

2019

Target

2019

Result

2020

Target

2020

Result

2021

Target

2021

Result

0 0 0 0 57 54 32 70 2 73 10 52

EG.3-508-CUST: Value of Grants Distributed


Disaggregation Country

Baseline Year 2016

Baseline Value $0

2021 Targ

Q4 2021

2021 YTD

LOP Targ

LOP Res

Percent o

2016

Target

2016

Result

$0 $0


ANNEX B: SUMMARY OF TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS

Program Name Program

Status Start Date End Date Males Females

Total

Participants

2021 Trainings

Seed producer’s webinar Completed 12/9/2021 12/9/2021 10 4 14

Training on SADC Seed

Centre staff on the

administration and

maintenance of the revamped

website

Completed 12/6/2021 12/6/2021 1 0 1

Regional Pest Risk Analysis

(PRA) training Completed 12/6/2021 12/8/2021 8 4 12

Mozambique Seed

Regulations validation

workshop

Completed 11/9/2021 11/9/2021 4 2 6

Mozambique hand over event Completed 10/29/2021 10/29/2021 5 3 8

Malawi Seed Bill review

meeting Completed 10/22/2021 10/22/2021 12 5 17

Zambia Seed Bill review

workshop Completed 9/21/2021 9/24/2021 2 2 4

SADC Virtual Seed Technical

Meeting Completed 8/23/2021 8/24/2021 12 5 17

Second Course of Private

Seed Inspectors in

Mozambique

Completed 8/9/2021 8/20/2021 10 4 14

SADC Seed Centre

Coordinator virtual field visit

to HSRS scale-up fields in

Zimbabwe

Completed 6/10/2021 6/10/2021 3 3 6

Malawi NSA Online Seed

Certification training for seed

companies

Completed 5/6/2021 5/6/2021 6 5 11

SADC Seed Centre

Coordinator in-person field

visits to HSRS scale-up fields

in Zambia

Completed 4/12/2021 4/15/2021 5 0 5

Mozambique NPPO

stakeholder validation

workshop

Completed 4/13/2021 4/13/2021 14 7 21

Malawi NSA Online Seed

Certification training Completed 3/15/2021 3/18/2021 10 5 15

Private seed sector

stakeholder’s awareness

creation workshop on

approved SIs in Zambia

Completed 3/10/2021 3/11/2021 11 3 14

Lake Agriculture seed

growers training Completed 2/26/2021 2/26/2021 8 0 8

Subtotal for 2020 121 52 173

2020 Trainings

Seed Co Zambia SADC

HSRS Seed Production and

Certification Training, Mkushi,

Zambia

Completed 12/10/2020 12/10/2020 13 2 15




Total

Participants

SADC Seed Centre

Coordinator Orientation

Meeting (incl. uploading of

varieties)

Completed 12/1/2020 12/3/2020 0 1 1

Mozambique NSA and seed

companies training on online

seed certification

Completed 11/23/2020 11/27/2020 12 10 22

Zimbabwe Super Seeds

SADC HSRS Seed Export

Commissioning

Completed 11/5/2020 11/5/2020 23 17 40

Lake Agriculture SADC

HSRS Seed Export

Commissioning

Completed 11/5/2020 11/5/2020 24 4 28

Malawi OECD Seed

Schemes virtual training

workshop

Completed 10/19/2020 10/23/2020 15 6 21

Mozambique OECD Seed


workshop

Completed 10/19/2020 10/23/2020 21 8 29

ZSTA HSR awareness

sessions at the Zimbabwe/

Mozambique border

Completed 9/29/2020 9/29/2020 14 3 17

Zimbabwe OECD Seed


workshop

Completed 9/7/2020 9/9/2020 21 6 27

Border officials and plant

health inspectors workshop

(Zambia/Mozambique border)

Completed 8/12/2020 8/12/2020 15 1 16

OECD curriculum review and

training material development

workshops for Zambia's NSA

staff

Completed 7/24/2020 8/21/2020 1 0 1

Zambia seed stakeholders'

training workshops Completed 7/21/2020 7/31/2020 36 18 54

Mchinji Border Training

(Malawi) Completed 06/17/2020 06/17/2020 3 4 7

Dedza Border Training


Mwanza Border Training


SADC Seed Centre

Coordinator Orientation

Meeting

Completed 03/10/2020 03/11/2020 0 1 1

Zimbabwe Seed Trade

Association Stakeholders

Meeting

Completed 02/20/2020 02/20/2020 12 5 17


Company SADC Seed

Certification and Quality

Assurance Training

Completed 02/20/2020 02/20/2020 28 37 65

Zambia NPPO and Ministry of

Justice SI Review Meeting Completed 02/02/2020 02/04/2020 7 9 16

Subtotal for 2020 253 142 395

2019 Trainings




Total

Participants

Zambia Crop Genetics

Limited SADC HSRS Seed

Production and Certification

Training, Lusaka, Zambia

Completed 12/20/2019 12/20/2019 10 1 11

Mozambique Policy Dialogue

Workshop Completed 12/12/2019 12/12/2019 39 15 54


Cooperative Company SADC

HSRS Seed Production and

Certification Training, Harare,

Zimbabwe

Completed 12/03/2019 12/06/2019 43 60 103

Training of the border posts

officials on Quarantine and

Phytosanitary Measures for

Seed – Nacala Province

Completed 10/08/2019 10/08/2019 20 4 24




Seed – Manica Province

Completed 10/02/2019 10/02/2019 12 1 13




Seed – Tete Province

Completed 09/30/2019 09/30/2019 19 2 21

ZASTA Chanida/Katete

Border SADC HSRS

Awareness Workshop

Completed 07/30/2019 07/30/2019 13 1 14

Fall Armyworm Training of

Trainers-Harare, Zimbabwe Completed 07/15/2019 07/19/2019 26 7 33

ZASTA Chirundu Border

SADC HSRS Awareness

Workshop

Completed 06/12/2019 06/12/2019 15 2 17

APROSE OECD DUS

Training Completed 06/11/2019 06/14/2019 20 12 32

APROSE SADC HSRS

Awareness Workshop Completed 06/10/2019 06/10/2019 20 13 33

ZASTA Kazungula and

Livingstone Borders SADC

HSRS Awareness Workshop

Completed 05/22/2019 05/22/2019 13 3 16

SADC May 2019

Johannesburg Seed

Workshop

Completed 05/14/2019 05/16/2019 8 4 12

STAM SADC HSRS


STAM Dedza Board Meeting Completed 01/29/2019 02/01/2019 27 29 56

STAM Lilongwe Workshop Completed 01/19/2019 01/19/2019 41 18 59

Subtotal for 2019 345 177 522

2018 Trainings

ZARI Seed Statutory

Instruments Validation

Workshop-Lusaka

Completed 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 15 6 21

SADC HSR Pilot Launch

Lusaka Completed 12/4/2018 12/4/2018 8 1 9

STAM Grant Management





Total

Participants

APROSE Grant Management


APROSE Grant Official

Launch Completed 11/19/2018 11/19/2018 15 2 17

STAM SADC HSR Second


OECD Guidelines Training

Zambia Completed 11/13/2018 11/23/2018 25 8 33

ZASTA Zambia-Congo D.R,

Kasumbalesa Border SADC

HRS Awareness Workshop

Completed 11/7/2018 11/8/2018 15 7 22

Malawi NPPO Salima SADC

Pest List Review Workshop Completed 11/5/2018 11/7/2018 15 3 18

Nampula Mozambique NPPO

Refresher Training on

Quarantine and Phytosanitary

Measures

Completed 10/24/2018 10/25/2018 17 5 22

ZIMBABWE OECD Seed

Inspection and Certification

Training

Completed 10/16/2018 10/19/2018 36 12 48

Seed Co HSR Pilot Farmers


October 2018 SADC Seed

Technical Meeting RSA Completed 10/1/2018 10/4/2018 16 7 23

First STAM Seed Sector

Stakeholders Awareness Completed 9/28/2018 9/28/2018 21 8 29

Presentation on the

Mozambique Seed Sector

Legal Framework

Completed 9/28/2018 9/28/2018 18 10 28

Dissemination for

Mozambique Seed Sector

Consultation Results

Completed 9/28/2018 9/28/2018 21 8 29

ZARI Workshop to Review

Draft SIs on PRA and SADC

Pest List

Completed 9/26/2018 9/26/2018 4 5 9

ZARI Training Completed 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 6 1 7

Nairobi DUS & VSU Training

of Trainers Completed 9/18/2018 9/21/2018 13 4 17

ZASTA Zambia-Malawi

Border Seed Stakeholders

Awareness Workshop

Completed 9/12/2018 9/13/2018 19 4 23

ZASTA Zambia Seed

Stakeholders Awareness

Workshop

Completed 7/30/2018 7/30/2018 16 8 24

Zambia Seed Industry Study

Tour Completed 5/28/2018 6/1/2018 7 3 10

Seed Trade Theory of

Change Workshop Completed 5/22/2018 5/24/2018 12 2 14

SADC Seed Certification and

Quality Assurance Piloting

Workshop

Completed 5/15/2018 5/16/2018 11 8 19

ZASTA HSR Awareness

Creation 2 Completed 4/20/2018 4/20/2018 18 9 27




Total

Participants

ZASTA HSR Awareness

Creation 1 Completed 2/16/2018 2/16/2018 20 16 36

Subtotal for 2018 391 161 552

2017 Trainings

SADC Technical Meeting Completed 11/13/2017 11/17/2017 52 33 85

SADC Variety Release in

Zimbabwe Completed 8/7/2017 8/11/2017 28 12 40

SADC Seed Inspection in

Zimbabwe Completed 7/17/2017 7/19/2017 27 9 36

Mozambique SPF

Presentation Completed 7/14/2017 7/14/2017 23 9 32

SADC Seed Testing Training

of Trainers Completed 4/24/2017 4/28/2017 11 8 19

SCCI Online Seed LAB


Zimbabwe SPF Presentation Completed 3/24/2017 3/24/2017 19 7 26

SADC Seed Certification

Training of Trainers Completed 3/20/2017 3/23/2017 15 4 19

SADC DUS and VCU

Training of Trainers Completed 3/13/2017 3/17/2017 14 6 20

Zambia SPF Presentation Completed 2/14/2017 2/14/2017 10 1 11

Malawi SPF Presentation Completed 2/7/2017 2/7/2017 24 4 28

Subtotal for 2017 240 103 343

2016 Trainings

SADC Seed Committee


SCCI Online Seed

Certification Training

Workshop

Completed 11/1/2016 11/3/2016 22 10 32

Stakeholder Awareness

Workshop Completed 10/19/2016 10/19/2016 21 5 26

SADC Technical Committee


Maputo Stakeholder

Consultation Workshop Completed 3/31/2016 3/31/2016 9 2 11

Lusaka Stakeholder


Lusaka Stakeholder


Lilongwe Stakeholder


Lilongwe Stakeholder


Subtotal for 2016 135 36 171

GRAND TOTAL FOR LIFE OF PROJECT 1,485 671 2,156


ANNEX C: OUTREACH & PROMOTION

ARTICLES

Highlight Type Date Link

Mozambique Advances Seed Trade and Policy Development

Op-Ed January 3, 2021

https://agrilinks.org/post/mozambique-addressing-seed-deficit-problems-attain-food-security

Food for Thought: Raising Up Women Through Agriculture

International Women’s Day

March 5, 2021

https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regional/news/food-thought-raising-women-through-agriculture

Five Things the Seed Sector Can do to Increase Food Security and Protect Our Earth

International Earth Hour

March 17, 2021

Not published

Sowing the Seeds of Future Prosperity

World Planting Day

March 21, 2021

https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regionalnews/sowing-seeds-future-prosperity

State-of-the-Art Digital Microscope Positions Zambia for Increased International Seed Trade

Impact Story July 21, 2021

https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regional/news/state-art-digital-microscope-positions-zambia-increased-international-seed

SOCIAL MEDIA

Highlight Platform Date Link


Facebook March 12, 2021 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3728497100519395&id=160990270603447


Twitter March 12, 2021 https://twitter.com/USAID_SAfrica/status/1370304630782066688

World Planting Day

Facebook March 21, 2021 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3753609078008197&id=160990270603447

World Planting Day

Twitter March 21, 2021 https://twitter.com/USAID_SAfrica/status/1373558817712185345
















https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3728497100519395&id=160990270603447


https://twitter.com/USAID_SAfrica/status/1370304630782066688







World Environment Day

Facebook June 5, 2021 https://www.facebook.com/USAIDZambia/photos/a.441686262624966/3762552767204949/

World Environment Day

Twitter June 5, 2021 https://twitter.com/USAIDZambia/status/1401239909847998465

World Food Safety Day

Facebook June 7, 2021 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3983877991647970&id=160990270603447

World Food Safety Day

Twitter June 7, 2021 https://twitter.com/USAID_SAfrica/status/1401893464246214656

Digital Microscope

Facebook July 27, 2021 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=4123201624382272&id=160990270603447

Digital Microscope

Twitter July 27, 2021 https://twitter.com/USAID_SAfrica/status/1419986020339159042

SADC HSRS Overview Video

Facebook September 27, 2021

https://fb.watch/aKmoAIaDl3/

World Food Day

Facebook October 16, 2021

https://fb.watch/aCuZsVaDOb/

Mozambique Technology Transfer

Facebook November 9, 2021

https://fb.watch/aKm9dM2FQE/

VIDEOS

Topic URL

Malawi Technology Transfer https://youtu.be/HROeSsCfKBg

Mozambique Technology Transfer https://www.facebook.com/USAIDMozambique/videos/860150918019050

World Food Day https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=906834603602737&ref=sharing

Benefits of producing and exporting improved seed under the SADC HSRS

https://youtu.be/gI94_ltW0eQ

https://www.facebook.com/USAIDZambia/photos/a.441686262624966/3762552767204949/

https://www.facebook.com/USAIDZambia/photos/a.441686262624966/3762552767204949/

https://twitter.com/USAIDZambia/status/1401239909847998465

https://twitter.com/USAIDZambia/status/1401239909847998465









https://fb.watch/aKmoAIaDl3/

https://fb.watch/aCuZsVaDOb/

https://fb.watch/aKm9dM2FQE/

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FHROeSsCfKBg&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7C27af20587fb549c791c308d9c588f27f%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637758015458898169%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=JK%2Bf8HWDfAgXzDisaymPcG3Ciev46BS0UzxjDGaQqO8%3D&reserved=0

https://www.facebook.com/USAIDMozambique/videos/860150918019050

https://www.facebook.com/USAIDMozambique/videos/860150918019050

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=906834603602737&ref=sharing

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=906834603602737&ref=sharing

https://youtu.be/gI94_ltW0eQ


Business case for seed producers https://youtu.be/mSKL-ENquZo

Registering a new seed variety to the regional catalogue (tutorial)

https://youtu.be/eNj3vhTdPxw

SADC HSRS Informational Video: Part 1 English: https://youtu.be/EYMZvZGRe_g French: https://youtu.be/dtfUfj55epY Portuguese: https://youtu.be/Wcexmu4buLI

SADC HSRS Informational Video: Part 2 English: https://youtu.be/7dv5Avn2kMs French: https://youtu.be/gMzmvz9vE5E Portuguese: https://youtu.be/-FacaAwAoBM

OECD Seed Schemes Informational Video https://youtu.be/yvJ5ANSg2J0

https://youtu.be/mSKL-ENquZo

https://youtu.be/eNj3vhTdPxw

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FEYMZvZGRe_g&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7C8e04f434e55a46716d4608d9818a553e%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683254425090305%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=HYfMl9kQ9CKnC%2BBIOOhLXbockHohA4QRTNpO6vtPBI4%3D&reserved=0

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FdtfUfj55epY&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7Cbd6bca1323a34b24faaa08d981c03f68%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683486622394433%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=lQsmgYwMtw0%2BMro3qrPWRfFA5JTJnKhC1G753qwCMlw%3D&reserved=0

https://youtu.be/Wcexmu4buLI

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F7dv5Avn2kMs&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7C8e04f434e55a46716d4608d9818a553e%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683254425090305%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=4lDhR2M0tJRhKlw%2FbvYOfqFWOw9FvsDBvk0H956p8%2Bo%3D&reserved=0

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FgMzmvz9vE5E&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7Cbd6bca1323a34b24faaa08d981c03f68%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683486622404386%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=qtJknfr3k1JEA6x6V5wzdF5Dib7h%2FgY9aoTyvVhdlho%3D&reserved=0

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F-FacaAwAoBM&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7Cbd6bca1323a34b24faaa08d981c03f68%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683486622404386%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=wM8GyhgVOqP0LPlJpyYCkIZz2yQQzb6vfeRIj7ENUIo%3D&reserved=0

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FyvJ5ANSg2J0&data=04%7C01%7CLindsey_Kirn%40dai.com%7C50815ade367942a377c608d9818a3bd8%7C7107113de20b4c20a4ce553cabbf686d%7C1%7C0%7C637683254351463078%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=HSV%2Bom1bIB9xVPmxPQcddcihEtF5gPuvJpMZsULD22g%3D&reserved=0


Op-Ed by Elsa Timana, Head of Mozambique’s National Seed Authority By: Elsa Timana, Head of the National Seed Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of the Republic of Mozambique According to the United Nations-led Food Security Cluster in Mozambique, an estimated 3.9 million people are severely food insecure and require urgent humanitarian assistance. Mozambique also has a seed shortage. The main drivers of this extensive food insecurity include conflict (northern); residual effects of the 2019 Cyclones Idai and Kenneth (northern and central); floods (northern and central); droughts (southern and central); and a prevalence of fake and substandard seed permeating the market. Further exacerbating matters is the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all those affected, 1.5 million were already food insecure pre-COVID-19 and an estimated additional 2.4 million were pushed into acute food insecurity due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The simultaneous and consecutive shocks have left our most vulnerable populations with limited options to cope, much less able to thrive. And while partners are doing their best to reach Mozambique’s most affected with food and livelihood assistance, our nation needs a more sustainable plan for long-term food security. Mozambican seed companies have been plagued with a very limited capacity to produce high-quality seed at scale, attract qualified personnel, and invest in research and breeding due to significant financial limitations. These financial and resource limitations further drive weak coverage for seed quality control and assurance – no vehicles to conduct crop inspections, no lab equipment to test and certify seed, and no seed labeling system to indicate seed quality. Through a joint partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Mozambique’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, we are working to come up with sustainable, long-term solutions that deepen food security for our nation and provide a pathway toward economic prosperity. And we are already reaping the benefits of this collaboration. With the assistance of the USAID-funded Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project, Mozambique has advanced its Seed Legal and Regulatory Framework by determining areas of alignment with the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System and reforms needed to accelerate domestication. Through the development of eight policy briefs supported by the Seed Trade Project, Mozambican seed stakeholders and government representatives are working to improve the seed sector business environment, productivity and availability of quality seed. Together with the Association for the Promotion of the Seed Sector in Mozambique (APROSE) and the Mozambique’s Seed Trade Association (MOSTA), we are developing an action plan to improve performance of the seed sector based on recommendations from these eight briefs and policy discussions. We are also addressing the issues of individual and institutional capacity and shoring up our infrastructure to ensure quality seed is circulating in the Mozambican market. Through the partnership with the USAID’s Seed Trade Project, more than 150 personnel have been trained according to regional and international standards: border agents including plant and seed inspectors, customs officials, clearing agents; agro-dealers; staff from the National Seed Authority (NSA) and National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO); academia; and seed producers (both individuals and companies). The


Seed Trade Project has supported Mozambique in modernizing important infrastructure, critical for ensuring seed quality and control. We now have an Online Seed Certification System, which dramatically cuts costs and time for seed producers, and enables Mozambique to comply with the SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System requirements and is ready for OECD accreditation. But the support has not stopped there. The Seed Trade Project has also procured and delivered state-of-the-art seed testing laboratory equipment for the Chimoio Seed Laboratory to improve our seed quality assurance system, and provide high-quality seed testing services that comply with regional and international seed testing requirements (SADC and International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)). It will further improve the quality of seed testing and enable the Seed Department to fully implement the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System. Lastly, we have worked hard to replace fake and substandard seed with high-quality, improved seed that can deliver higher yields, withstand climate shocks, and resist pests and want to make farmers aware of their availability. Beginning in 2019, the Seed Trade Project began working with the seed companies to pressure-test the SADC HSRS. To date, there have been four pilot seed productions under the regional guidelines, two of which have exported to Mozambique between October and November 2020. Lake Agriculture of Zambia produced 250 MT of improved maize seed and exported 216 MT to Mozambique in October. Similarly, Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative Company produced 228 MT of improved sugar bean seed under the regional guidelines and exported 100 MT to Mozambique in November. Normally, it would take Mozambique three years to return to its status quo prior to the cyclones, replenishing parent and regular seed supplies. However, with the influx of the 316 MT under the SADC HSRS and other consignments of improved seed ahead of the 2020/21 planting season, Mozambique’s ability to recover has drastically improved. It has also been announced that Seed Co. Zambia, Lake Agriculture and Zimbabwe Super Seeds are all scaling up their production of improved seed under the SADC HSRS in 2020/21, and plan to export to Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo later in the upcoming year using the SADC Seed Label. Seed companies continue to register their improved seed varieties on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue, which now boasts 89 high-quality seed varieties including maize, sorghum, beans, Irish potatoes, wheat, cotton, soybean, and groundnuts. These seed varieties are accessible to farmers in any SADC nation, including Mozambique and can be sought after through agro-dealers. So, what is next? All of these efforts have positioned Mozambique for success and we must not let this opportunity slip through our collective fingers. We must see to it that our national seed policies fully align with the SADC’s Harmonized Seed Regulatory System. We must strengthen Mozambique’s seed quality control and certification system and insist on strict seed quality control at both the national and regional levels. And we must continue to enable seed companies with practical knowledge and skills, so they can comply with the regional standards and enable the development of the national seed industry. If we can keep focused on these agenda items, Mozambique’s agricultural sector can grow, farmers can gain economic benefits from a broader regional market, and we can all weather the shocks that are bound to come because seed can move more seamlessly between us and our neighbors.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT: RAISING WOMEN THROUGH AGRICULTURE Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project

IN MALAWI, S WORKING TO SHAPE HER NATION’S FUTURE - ONE SEED AT A TIME Why should women have a prominent role in Malawi’s

agriculture future? According to

Team Leader for the Seed Certification and Quality

Control for the Ministry of Agriculture’s Seed Services

Unit (SSU), the answer is simple. “Women are the ones

who put food on the table every day. They also represent

40 percent of Malawi’s farming community and are willing

to grow neglected crops that men ignore. When it comes

to agriculture, women should not just be sitting at the

family table, but be a heard voice at the policy table.”

arents are small-scale farmers, but that is

not what inspired her enthusiasm for agriculture. “My

interest in agriculture began when I started working with

seeds in Malawi’s Department of Agriculture Research

Services (DARS). I realized you can’t grow anything

without a seed. A farmer can have good land, fertilizer,

and water, but without seed, they cannot grow anything.

And beyond that, it needs to be the right kinds of seed

combined with proper management to produce an

abundant yield.” This realization drove to Iowa State University (ISU) in the United

States where she earned her Ph.D. specializing in Seed Science and gained important experience

through her work at the largest public seed testing laboratory in the world - the ISU Seed Science

Center.

With that knowledge and experience, she returned to Malawi and now plays a key leadership role

in helping her country implement the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC)

Harmonized Seed Regulatory System (HSRS). The HSRS is a SADC-wide policy that establishes

elevated standards for seed production and trade among all 16 SADC nations, allowing for

improved, high-quality seed to quickly move across national borders. To date, Malawi has signed

the SADC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the SADC HSRS and has made significant

progress toward domestication of all three elements of the regional policy: Variety Release, Seed

Certification, and Quality Assurance, and Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed. By

the end of 2021, it is anticipated that Malawi will enact a Seed Bill, making them only the second

SADC nation to fully domesticate the HSRS along with Zambia.

“In my work with the Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project, we have been able to

facilitate speedy alignment of the country’s seed legislation to the HSRS based on the Project’s

excellent policy advice, and have improved implementation of seed certification and quality control


through the Project’s capacity-building support. Further, the Seed Trade Project has established

an Online Seed Certification System, which has received tremendous accolades from Malawi’s

seed industry and significantly reduced the amount of paperwork the SSU must handle.”

To realize full domestication of the SADC HSRS, s also pushing hard and actively

advocating for women, not only to be part of the conversation but also to be taken seriously. “With

women representing nearly half of all farmers, they have a role in decision-making. To improve

agriculture, all components of the value chain must be strengthened. For instance, in seed systems,

it is not enough to have improved crop varieties without seed multiplication, processing, and

distribution. Further, for more crop varieties to develop, farmers (both men and women), should be

able to sell any surplus produced from the use of high-quality seed to be able to buy more certified

seed which will ultimately drive the seed system. This is true with any improved agriculture

technology”.

drive toward more equitable systems is not just about women having a voice, but also

granting them access to the benefits of these systems. “If we can create equitable systems, the

benefits are numerous for everyone including greater investments by the seed sector to develop

superior crop varieties; new markets for farmers and seed companies; increased seed production

and access to a greater portfolio of improved seed; and increased employment opportunities,

particularly for women.”

But there are real challenges with women becoming an integral part of these systemic changes,

and in turn, reap these benefits. “Decisions made by women are considered not good enough and

are often minimized. There have been meetings I’ve sat in where I’ve made great contributions,

and it’s only until a man says the same thing, that the ideas are considered. It’s unfair. But as a

regulator, I have always stood by my decisions as long as they are supported by legislation, and

that’s another reason I am doing everything I can to move the Seed Bill along. There are also

preconceptions that women can’t execute on programs, as well – they are deemed “too busy” with

household duties. But I have always insisted on being given the chance and have performed better

than my male colleagues.”

Despite these challenges, believes firmly that agriculture is an exciting and satisfying

career for women to enter, offering huge potential to improve their livelihoods. “Women are patient,

good educators, and fast learners. They can do everything from de-tasseling seed parents in hybrid

seed fields and hand-grading legume seeds to disseminating information about the Harmonized

Seed Regulatory System. Their involvement could be a game-changer in the scale-up,

implementation, and adoption of improved agriculture technologies, like improved crop varieties

and agronomic practices. They are critical to making Malawi a healthy, food-secure nation.”


5 Things the Seed Sector Can Do to Increase Food Security & Protect Our Earth

A Call-to-Action for SADC Seed Sector Stakeholders “While intent is the seed of manifestation, action is the water that nourishes the seed. Your actions must reflect your goals in order to achieve true success.” George Washington People around the world will salute Mother Earth by ceremoniously turning off lights at 8 PM local time to mark Earth Hour. But are there more, tangible things we can do to honor and protect our precious Earth? Without a doubt. For its contribution to Earth Hour 2021, the Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project would like to challenge the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) seed sector to take action in five practical ways, beginning today, that will protect the Earth, increase biodiversity, and improve food security across the region, even in the midst of climate change and rising populations. 1. National Governments in the SADC Region can support the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory

System (HSRS), which establishes regionally agreed upon standards for trade of high-quality,

improved seed and provides clear guidelines on how to grow crops from these seeds so that they

produce the highest yields and make sustainable use of soil and water. There are three specific

ways Member States can support the SADC HSRS. First, if your country has not yet signed the

Memorandum of Understanding to operationalize the SADC Technical Agreements on

Harmonization of Seed Regulations, then now is the time. These agreements facilitate the

movement of high-quality seed across national borders, which can help stabilize the regional

markets and ensure food security. Second, if your country does not currently have national seed

legislation that currently aligns with the

SADC HSRS, then you can take steps toward

developing and enacting a National Seed

Law. Third, if your national government has

already acceded to the MoU and has a

national law that aligns with the SADC

HSRS, then the next step is to support

implementation by working closely with

seed companies and help them be in

compliance with the regional guidelines.

2. Seed Companies can register their improved seed on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue. The SADC Seed Centre has taken steps to streamline this process, making it easier than ever to apply to the regional catalogue. Once approved, a seed variety listed on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue can be marketed in any one of the 16 SADC Member States, opening up tremendous possibilities for private sector growth while also giving farmers increased access to high-quality seed. Currently, there are 91 improved varieties listed on the catalogue including maize, cotton, sorghum, beans, Irish potatoes, groundnuts, wheat and soybean. Seed companies are encouraged to not only register their improved seed, but also add to the diversity of seed available to farmers. Women farmers, in particular, are willing to grow a variety of crops including neglected ones in order to increase dietary variety and improved nutrition for their families and communities.

“Seed is a key input for improving

agricultural productivity and

ensuring food security, and access

to quality seed facilitates food

resource diversification and

prevention of genetic erosion.” – Peter Lungu, Director of Zambia’s

National Plant Protection Organization

https://www.earthhour.org/our-mission

https://sadcseedcentre.com/images/downloads/SADC_Technical_Agreements_Harmonised_Seed_Regulations_2008.pdf

https://sadcseedcentre.com/images/downloads/SADC_Technical_Agreements_Harmonised_Seed_Regulations_2008.pdf

https://www.sadcseedcentre.com/variety-catalog


https://sadcseedcentre.com/index.php/7-how-to-register-a-variety


3. Seed Producers, which might include seed companies, cooperatives and independent farmers, can

produce approved seed varieties in compliance with the SADC HSRS and either sell to a local market or export to other SADC Member States. Again, once a seed variety is approved on the regional catalogue, it can be marketed and exported to any one of 16 SADC Member States. For example, companies like Seed Co Zambia Ltd. and Lake Agriculture are now producing seed in Zambia for export to seed deficit countries such as Angola, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique. Zimbabwe Super Seed Cooperative Company, which up until last year did not have access to any markets outside of Zimbabwe, will be exporting sugar bean seed to Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia by the end of 2021.

4. Agro-dealers play an important role in connecting farmers with high-quality, improved seed. Seed

companies are marketing to specific countries whose soil, climate and rainfall are well-matched. Agro-dealers can become familiar with the information listed on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue for each approved seed variety and work directly with seed companies to acquire supplies. The SADC Seed Centre updates the list on an ongoing basis, so it is important that agro-dealers frequently check the Catalogue. Further, agro-dealers can offer important technical assistance to farmers who plan to grow improved seed, and therefore should become familiar with the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulations and encourage compliance.

5. Farmers have a great deal to gain by planting high-quality, improved seed. Not only do they

produce higher crop yields, but the increased income that can be generated can help grow business

or be re-invested into the family and household. Farmers should reach out to their local agro-

dealer(s), inquire about improved seed varieties, and work with them to gain access to these high-

quality seed varieties. Further, farmers can play a vital role in preserving seed, soil and water by

using sustainable agricultural practices that meet production expectations, promote healthy

biodiversity and sensibly manage natural resources. Examples of these types of practices include

crop rotation, natural pest management, and naturally suppressing weed growth.

If each stakeholder group does its part, whether creating sound policy that facilitates the trade of improved seed or creating a supply of high-quality or demanding access to better seed, the SADC region has the potential to prosper in new and formidable ways. But most importantly, the seed sector could drive food security across SADC, make the region more resilient to climate shocks and help repair damage done to our Earth in real, meaningful ways. Now is the time.

Photo: Shutterstock


SOWING THE SEEDS OF FUTURE PROSPERITY Friday, March 19, 2021

Woman farmer tending to her plants

SADC Seed Companies Scale-up Production and Export Under the SADC

Harmonized Seed Regulatory Systems

“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.”

Ask any farmer, and they’ll say this quote by B.C. Forbes, the founder of Forbes Magazine, is a

truism – a way of life – not just a metaphor for how to live life. Prosperity comes to those who

literally plant seeds. But nowadays, with climate change, invasive pests, and plant diseases, not

every seed is equal. Through the Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project (Seed

Trade Project)(link is external), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is

showing that a little upfront investment can be catalytic to long-term prosperity and food security.

Sowing the Seeds: Pilot Productions and Exports Substantiate Regional System

Beginning in 2018, the Seed Trade Project awarded Seed Co. Zambia Ltd. with a $100K grant to

pilot production of high-quality maize seed under the Southern African Development

Community’s (SADC) Harmonized Seed Regulatory System (HSRS)(link is external). Seed

companies who register their improved seed varieties on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue(link

is external) and receive approval from the SADC Seed Centre can then proceed with production

and export, following the guidelines, to any of the 16 SADC Member States.

The Seed Co Zambia pilot production and export(link is external) proved a tremendous

success. By September 2019, Seed Co Zambia, with the help of the Zambia National Seed

Authority started exporting to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The success of Seed

Co.’s pilot export sparked interest from several other seed producers vying to break into the SADC

https://www.dai.com/our-work/projects/southern-africa-feed-future-southern-africa-seed-trade-project

https://www.dai.com/our-work/projects/southern-africa-feed-future-southern-africa-seed-trade-project

https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regional

http://sadcseedcentre.com/images/downloads/SADC_Technical_Agreements_Harmonised_Seed_Regulations_2008.pdf

http://sadcseedcentre.com/images/downloads/SADC_Technical_Agreements_Harmonised_Seed_Regulations_2008.pdf



https://www.pulselive.co.ke/apo/us-southern-african-development-community-sadc-partnership-yields-historic-export-of/kf3zy6z


market and resulted in the Seed Trade Project awarding three emerging seed companies with

grants each to Lake Agriculture of Zambia, Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative Company

(ZSS) of Zimbabwe, and Peacock Seeds of Malawi. These additional pilots collectively produced

high-quality seed which was exported to countries like a cyclone hit Mozambique.

These pilot exports were the first-time improved varieties that crossed national borders bearing

both the SADC seed labels and certificates, allowing the consignments to clear customs in

minutes—not hours or days. The SADC seed labels and certificates have also proven useful in

helping recipient countries quickly identify high-quality seed from fake or substandard seed. As

Seed Co Zambia’s Country Manager for DRC and Angola, states, “The SADC

seed labels are an advantage for border post clearances and assist in distinguishing genuine seed

from fake seed in the DRC. It’s just one more benefit of producing seed under the SADC HSRS.”

Future Prosperity: Scale-up Efforts in Progress

Of the four seed companies who participated in the pilot productions and exports, three returned to

the Seed Trade Project to sign commitments for scale-up productions and exports under the SADC

HSRS during the 2020/21 planting season. However, this time, they did so without additional grant

funding—only technical support and guidance from the Seed Trade Project.

ZSS Managing Director “The respect the SADC HSRS gets in the region

makes it an ideal production standard which we can use further. As Zimbabwe Super Seeds, we

are going to continue using the SADC HSRS whenever we have orders going outside the country

– it makes our life easier”.

Each company is currently at different stages of production, with anticipated exports set between

September – November 2021.

The Farmer Who Faithfully Plants…

With new markets available to seed producers and increased profits, another benefit of producing

and exporting high-quality seed under the SADC HSRS is the potential for much-needed forex to

enter each exporting nation. Lastly, farmers across SADC are spoilt for choice, gaining increased

access to improved seeds that will allow them to grow higher yield crops, further increasing both

nutrition and food security for the region, as well as for their families.

ZSS outgrower farmer shares, “I have already received my payment for the

seed which I delivered to ZSS. As a family, we plan to build a three-roomed house and I’ll send my

children to school through college level. I have gained a lot of knowledge growing seed with

Zimbabwe Super Seeds, and I am willing to continue growing seed using the SADC standards.”


State-of-the-Art Digital Microscope Positions Zambia for Increased International Seed Trade Every National Seed Authority requires state-of-the-art equipment to enable seed purity testing. In late 2020, the Zambian Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) reached out to USAID-managed Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project (Seed Trade Project) flagging their need for a modern digital microscope. In response, the Seed Trade Project awarded the Institute a US$9,000 in-kind grant to procure the digital microscope. The high-end microscope was delivered in April 2021 and followed by virtual training on its proper use and functionality on May 20, 2021. Food safety begins early in the food chain – from the moment seed is produced through the point food reaches the family table. Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture aims to prevent, control, and contain plant diseases, invasive pests, and weeds as a way of enhancing both national and regional agricultural production, productivity, and food security. This is done through the SCCI, which is Zambia’s National Seed Authority (NSA). But for Zambia to trade high-quality seed internationally, it must be proficient in international standards such as the Other Seed Determination (OSD) tests, which are audited by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). Passing those audits had become a serious challenge, though – until now. “SCCI had been using an obsolete microscope for OSD testing. Every time we sent results to ISTA, we were failing because we couldn’t identify the weeds in the samples,” says

, the SCCI Chief Seed Officer in charge of Testing Laboratory Services. These failures threatened the country’s ISTA accreditation and position as Africa’s largest maize seed exporter. OSD tests are an ISTA requirement and were most recently adopted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Harmonized Seed Regulatory System (HSRS). As the regional policy for the production and trade of improved seed, the SADC HSRS ensures that Member States meet certain requirements for regional seed export, and in turn, protect the food people consume and their environment. All seed must be inspected and certified, confirming it is free of foreign seeds, pests, and plant diseases, as well as anything

that would prove harmful to the food chain and human consumption. “We are there to put controls on the quality of seed that is on the market. We don’t want junk out there. For quality control, seed testing is very vital. If a test fails, the poor seed won’t be released on the market, and this is a good thing for farmers who want to make something at the end of the day,” says SCCI Senior Seed Analyst. With this new equipment, SCCI can meet expectations for quality seed control. “This is a modern digital microscope used in almost all ISTA accredited labs around the world. With it, SCCI has improved our ability to identify foreign bodies in ISTA samples (during audits). Purity testing will now be done accordingly because we have the necessary equipment,” state

An SCCI seed laboratory technician using the new digital microscope. Photo Credit: Seed Trade Project

Sr. lab technician, Theresa Mutiti, prepping to test maize seed.


“Further, with this new digital microscope, we can now see even the tiniest weed – this wasn’t possible with the previous microscope.”

Since its beginning, the Seed Trade Project has supported the SCCI in several other ways. In 2019, the Project installed a modern cold storage facility following a 2015 fire that destroyed the much smaller original facility. The new facility, equipped with a modern cooling system, can store up to 10,000 reference seeds for all 16 SADC Member States. The Project also supported SCCI with the installation of Zambia’s Online Seed Certification System, the Seed Lab, moving the Institute from paper-based to online service delivery for over sixty thousand clients. All these efforts contribute to the safe production and trade of seed across the SADC region, ultimately leading to increased food production, trade, and, ultimately, food security.

Purity testing will now be

done accordingly because

we have the necessary

equipment.”


ANNEX D: INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING U.S.

GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Country Name of Firm/Organization USG Funded Support Rendered

Zambia

Ministry of Agriculture Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zambia Agriculture Research Institute Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary and development of statutory

instruments for seed regulation

Seed Certification and Control

Institute

Business improvement and seed variety release, seed

certification and quality assurances practices

Zambia Seed Trade Association Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Klein Karoo Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ZAMSEED Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

MRI/Syngenta Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Harvest Plus Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and

Industry

Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

University of Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Caritas Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

KAML Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CropLife Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CTDI Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

AgriCoop News Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

National Union of Small Scale

Farmers


and phytosanitary

Bayer Monsanto Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Share Africa Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Kamano Seed Company Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Bollore Transport Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

TARA Farming Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Cross Border Traders Association of

Zambia


and phytosanitary



ZCSA Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Pioneer Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zambia Associations for Clearing and

Forwarding Agents


and phytosanitary

QualiBasic Seed Company Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Lake Agriculture/Zambia Crop

Genetics Limited


and phytosanitary

Allan Miller Lilayi Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Cameo Estates-Mkushi Zambia Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ZED TV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ZANIS Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zambia 24 Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Classic Radio Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Power FM/TV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Life TV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

National Agriculture Information

Service


and phytosanitary

Daily Nation Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Good Nature Agro Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Omnia Fertilizer (Z) Ltd Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CABI Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Mahesh Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Paul Thomson Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Fwambana Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Michalakis Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Nyamanzi Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Damust Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Francis Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Ministry of Justice Review of the Draft Plant Variety and Seeds Bill

Advanta Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



International Institute of Tropical

Agriculture (IITA)


and phytosanitary

Malawi

Department of Agricultural Research

Services (DARS)


and phytosanitary

Seed Tech Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Mbeu Seed Investment Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CAN TV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Nema Farm Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Panthochi Farms Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Seed Services Unit (SSU) Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Plant Protection Commodity Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Seed Co Malawi Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Malawi Revenue Authority Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Global Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Clearing and Forwarding Agents

Association of Malawi


and phytosanitary

Bridge Shipping Limited Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

S&K Shipping Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Horizon SCC Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Cargomate Limited Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Integrated Freight Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Liberty Freight Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Transmaritime Freight Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Global Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Peacock Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

MUSECO Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Demeter Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ARET Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

NASCOMEX Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

TRFCA Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



CPM Agri Enterprise Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ETG Limited Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Bayer Malawi Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

AISL Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

PCB Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Premium Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

TASAI Regional Agriculture Trade Integration, Variety Release,

seed testing and certification, quarantine and

phytosanitary

USAID-S34D Regional Agriculture Trade Integration, Variety Release,


phytosanitary

DIMAGI International Regional Agriculture Trade Integration, Variety Release,


phytosanitary

Universal Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Funwe Investments Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

MGOMERA Investments Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Pindulani Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Exagris Africa Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Pannar Seed Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Pyxus Agriculture Seed testing and certification

Agriculture Research and Extension

Trust

Seed testing and certification

UVGV (Limbe Leaf) Seed testing and certification

Parliamentary Committee on

Agriculture

Review of the National Seed Bill

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Review of the National Seed Bill

Civil Society Agriculture Network

(CISANET)

Review of the National Seed Bill

Mozambique

Ministry of Agriculture Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Agro-Comercial Olinda Fondo Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

TECAP Agro-dealer Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Agricultural Productivity Program for

Southern Africa (a World Bank

Program)


and phytosanitary

Samora Maguazane Investimentos Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



SEMEAR Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Mozambique Autoridade Nacional de

Sementes


and phytosanitary

Uniao Nacional de Camponeses

(National Union of Farmers)


and phytosanitary

Mindzo Commercial Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Seed Co Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Techno-Serve Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Procampo Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Klein Karoo Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Solucoes Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Oruwera Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Helvetas Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

DPCI Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

DSV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

SDC Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

COWI Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

SMI Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

United Purpose Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

VEM Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Culturas de aviso Previo Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ORAM Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

C-Zembe Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

IAV Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Pannar Seed Company Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Emilia Commercial Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Dengo Commercial Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Agroserv Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Jumato Commercial Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



SEMOC Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Nzara Yapera Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Munguambe Fihos Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Hortisepre Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

JNB Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

AENA Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Syngenta Mozambique Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ACOF Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

DNEA Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Phoenix Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Mozambique Institute of Agriculture

Research (IIAM)


and phytosanitary

Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Agrico Seed testing and certification using the online system

AgriServ Seed testing and certification using the online system

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association

(ZSTA)

OECD Accreditation and Variety Release, seed testing

and certification, quarantine and phytosanitary

Seed Services Institute (Zimbabwe

NSA)

OECD Accreditation and Variety Release, seed testing


Zimbabwe NPPO OECD Accreditation and Variety Release, seed testing


AGPY OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

AGRISEEDS OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

KUTSAGA OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

MATAPIRI OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

National Tested Seeds OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

Prime Seeds Company OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

Mukushi Seeds OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

PANNAR Seeds OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

Zimbabwe Garden Seeds OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

Bio-Technology Authority of

Zimbabwe

Guidelines on clearing seed consignments carrying SADC

seed labels and certificates

Freight Forwarders Association of

Zimbabwe

Guidelines on clearing seed consignments carrying SADC


Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Guidelines on clearing seed consignments carrying SADC


Capstone Seeds (Mustastone) OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

SIRDC (ZTS Seeds) OECD Seed Schemes/Seed Testing and Certification

Seed Co Zimbabwe Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Klein Karoo Zimbabwe Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



Pioneer Hi-Bred (PVT) Limited

(Corteva Agriscience)


and phytosanitary

Zimbabwe Super Seeds Cooperative

Company


and phytosanitary

Zaka District Seed Growers

Association


and phytosanitary

Masvingo District Seed Growers

Association


and phytosanitary

Quton Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Gutu District Seed Growers

Association


and phytosanitary

Farm & City Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zadzamatura Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Thermal Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Marondera University of Agricultural

Sciences and Technology


and phytosanitary

Champion Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Valley Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

SDC Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Intaba Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Crop Breeding Institute Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CIMMYT Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ZFC Ltd Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zimbabwe Farmers' Union Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

ZMF Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Harvest Plus Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Easi Seeds Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

CTDO Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

FAO Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Zimbabwe Plant Breeders

Association


and phytosanitary

Curechem Group Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Tobacco Research Board Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Windmills Development Group Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary



Namibia Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

Eswatini Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

Angola Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

DRC

Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

Department of Revenue and Customs Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Seed Co DRC Variety Release, seed testing and certification, quarantine

and phytosanitary

Madagascar Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

Botswana Ministry of Agriculture Fall Army Worm Training

Regional

Organizations

SADC FANR Drafting the Seed Production, Certification and Quality

Assurance Guidelines

SADC Seed Centre Operationalizing the Seed Centre Sustainability Business

Model

Africa Seed Trade Association

(AFSTA)


and phytosanitary

Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project - USAID

Documents

Transcript of Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project - USAID