SAARC countries agree to establish Seed Forum

By Ijaz Kakakhel

A recent meeting of SAARC on strengthening seed system in member countries has recommended the establishment of “SAARC Seed Forum” (SSF) by SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC).
The forum has the mandate to work for the development of seed industry in the region. The aforementioned forum will formulate seed policy in SAARC region for strengthening infrastructure for successful seed systems in member countries. The policy would identify common problems and provide remedial measures for seed industry development. The meeting was held in New Delhi last month, sources told Daily Times here on Tuesday.
The meeting forwarded a number of recommendations including the establishment of “Centre of Excellence for Seed Science and Technology” in the region with affiliated branches in all the member countries for research and human resource development in Seed Technology.
It further shared its proposals which would contribute to the upgradation of seed system in member countries by establishing a central/referral seed-testing laboratory for seed quality control that would facilitate in seed import and export. The laboratory should aim at International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) accreditation of the earliest.
Moreover, a seed certification system acceptable to all member countries should be developed or the member states should become member of internationally accepted Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) seed certification schemes. The meeting also recommended that seed industry should be given preferential over other industries by the member governments. To attain speedy multiplication of seeds in early generations, foundation of seed centres should be strengthened to gain this objective. Frequent and regular exchange of seed professionals, farmers and policy makers among member countries should be also arranged.
Regular flow of seeds from public sector to informal sector operated by farmers should be encouraged. Training of all farmers in all seed related activities should be arranged on priority basis which would resultantly lead to skilled performance.
Accessibility to breeding material should be facilitated for development of productive, stress tolerant crop varieties in crops of food security like wheat, rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds, potato and banana.
Harmonisation in several aspects should be done by Technical Working Groups constituted by the SAARC Agriculture Centre, which included: national seed policies, field and seed standards, varietal catalogue, varietal testing, release and registration system, Seed Act and Rules, SOPs/guidelines-various seed related activities, seed testing procedures, seed certification system and seed law enforcement.
A SAARC Seed Association may also be established to act as a common platform and to promote business contacts between member countries. Directory of “Seed Persons of SAARC region” may be updated immediately. A SAARC Plant Genetic Resource Bank for rice, wheat and maize may be created to facilitate free exchange of germplasm between the member countries. To begin with, the Indian Gene Bank facilities may be utilized, with suitable modalities.
Unique strengths and opportunities in one country may be harnessed to the advantage of member countries. Under Public Private Partnership (PPP), ways and means may be explored for seed production by private sectors at public institutions (and vice-versa) where SAC, Dhaka would be the facilitator including promoting seed village concept and liberal sharing of infrastructure available with both private and public institutions.

Daily Times