“SEED INDUSTRY NEEDED TO COMBAT HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION” SENEGALESE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
"The African Seed Industry Congress Theme" Facing The Dangers of Food Security "already illustrates a deep understanding of the problematic nature of developing agriculture In most countries on the continent", says the Senegalese Minister.
"Indeed, for developing countries like Senegal where much of the population suffers from malnutrition, solving this problem is a major political priority. This requires a seed industry which can guarantee dependable supply of seed for high potential agricultural production".
The opening speech of the Minister was read at the AFSTA Second Annual Congress held in Dakar, 27-29 March 2002. Interest in this event was clear from the attendance of 116 delegates from 38 countries, including some 84 African representatives from 25 countries.
The importance of the seed industry in agriculture was evident from the participation of major international bodies like UPOV (Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties), OECD seed schemes, FAO Plant and Genetic Division, ISTA (International Seed Testing Association), and FIS (International Seed Trade Federation). Regional bodies such as OAPI, ARIPO, IITA/GTZ, OAU and government departments were also present.
Senegal had put into place a policy to strengthen supply quality inputs, mainly seeds. Since 1990 government's involvement in seed was largely left to the private sector. A 3 - year plan was developed for seed supply, control and certification, and favorable conditions created for the private sector to take care of seed. "This theme", the minister concludes," fits in with the NEPAD initiative (New Partnership for African Development) which has agriculture as a major focus”.
The AFSTA President, Mr. Nathaniel Tum of Kenya, stated that the Association, although young, has endeavoured to contribute to the framework for emerging seed industries in Africa. It has 57 members, 10 of which are from outside Africa. Its mission is to provide a forum for interaction and information exchange, to represent in Africa and globally, the African seed industry interests and to facilitate the development of seed enterprises for betterment of crop production.
"The important role played by seed in food security cannot be over-emphasized”, says Tum”. Many exciting findings have recently come to the field of agriculture as new tools to help Africa produce enough food, thereby reducing poverty".
AFSTA, founded in 2000, has already been accepted as spokesbody for the African seed industry by way of invitations to participate in meetings of the EU, OAU, FIS, and FAO.
This coming year the Association will become involved in projects for training seedsmen in business management, compilation of databases on national seed industries and participation in regional initiatives on trade liberalization and harmonization.
Africa is in the process of facilitating regional trade development, which requires harmonization of legislation. Improved availability of, and trade in improved seed can only be realized if national trade barriers are overcome through regulatory harmonization. The Congress covered progress reports from several regions. East Africa has shown the most progress including phytosanitary requirements reduced from 33 to 3 quarantine diseases, Similar initiatives supported by FAO, are underway in West Africa and Southern Africa.
Other contentious issues on the Congress agenda included intellectual property rights on plant varieties. South Africa and Kenya are members of UPOV and Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and OAPI are in the process of acceding to the Convention. In West Africa the Accord de Bangui which provides for protection similar to UPOV, is expected to be rectified shortly by its 14 member states Provision of intellectual property rights is required to be in position before 2006 in order to comply with Trips 27.3(b) under WTO.
Africa has limited indigenous plant resources. The Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture have now harmonized their provisions. This will facilitate exchange of germplasm in an orderly, multilateral system. Africa stands to gain much from beneficiation of its plant resources and intellectual property rights will assist in securing benefit sharing.
The AFSTA General Assembly meeting adopted a position statement on modern biotechnology as an efficient tool in enhancing food production and agricultural development. Africa clearly stands to gain from new unique traits in crop plants in order to reduce the losses caused by insects, pests, diseases and weeds. AFSTA encourages research and responsible application of agricultural biotechnology to improve productivity. It recommends that appropriate policies and programme be developed and that adequate regulations and protocols be set up as a priority to assess on a scientific basis potential health and environment risks. This is also required to comply with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
The AFSTA Congress 2002 concluded by electing new members to their Board of Directors.
AFSTA BOARD
- Guy Blaise Satsa, President (Cameroon)
- Charles Price, Vice – President (Malawi)
- Dr Vincent Gwarazimba (Zimbabwe)
- Dr Adeyemi Joshua (Nigeria)
- Alemu Getahun (Ethiopia)
- Amadou Djigo (Senegal)
- Mouldi Ghanmi (Tunisia)
- Dr Wynand Van Der Walt (South Africa)
- Ms Josephine Okot (Uganda) new co-opted member
- Eddie Randrianatsimbazafy (Madagascar) new member
- Dr Mohamed Farid (Egypt) new member
- Mark Gondon (ASTA, USA) associate member
- Francois Burgaud (GNIS, France) associate member
Mr. Nathaniel Tum, former President will remain a member of the Board in an ex officio capacity as Past President |
