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‘10% seed sold in Comesa uncertified’

 

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has said about 10 percent of seed supplied in the 19-member trade bloc is uncertified, a development that affects output.

Comesa seed harmonisation working team leader John Mukuka said this on the sidelines of a Comesa Seed Harmonisation Implementation Plan (Comship) meeting in Lilongwe last week.

SEED

He said Comesa region requires two million tonnes of seed, but the market only receives 500 000 tonnes, creating a deficit of 1.5 million tonnes.

Mukuka said it is this deficit that creates room for tricksters to duplicate and supply fake seed which poses challenge to agricultural productivity.

He said once the trade bloc harmonises the seed market, agricultural production will boom in the region because countries will be able to inter-trade different seed varieties.

“Without a harmonised market, it would not be easy for member countries to inter-trade,” said Mukuta.

David Kamangira, senior deputy director of agricultural research services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development said Malawi seed companies are complying with the Seed Act currently in place. n

 

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