Hope for Malawi farmers as seed policy is in offing

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Joseph Mwanamvekha says government is banking on the new National Seed Policy, which will officially be launched on Wednesday in Lilongwe, to break barriers in the regional markets.

Speaking in an interview Mwanamvekha said aside from the policy being a guiding tool replacing the archaic one of 1993, it also closes the current gaps and achieves traction and alignment to the Southern African Development Commission (Sadc) and the Common Market for East and Central Africa (Comesa) seed protocols.

“We must remember that we are moving towards a fully joined regional and global outlook to production,” Mwanamvekha emphasized, adding: “Having a coherent National Seed Policy is therefore essential to rein in on often competing interests.”

The minister said top quality seed is a basic and vital input in agricultural production.

“That is why, when I came here [to this ministry]; I put in all effort to make sure that this country has an up-to-date National Seed Policy to address the challenges that are currently being faced by stakeholders such as farmers and others in the seed industry,” he explained.

Mwanamvekha said due to the strategic nature of the sector to the economy, it is important that while farmers are working hard in the fields, their effort is complemented with a seed policy which has clear guidelines for the development and promotion of agricultural productivity through the provision of sustainable, adequate and high quality seeds to farmers.

Network of Agriculture Media (Mena) vice president Eunice Ndhlovu applauded the ministry for addressing gaps in the new policy, adding the media is ready to work with government in sensitising the public on such issues for the benefit of the economy.

Development of the policy included extensive consultations which were conducted with various stakeholders such as farmers themselves, government ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector, development partners, farmer organisations, civil society organisations and Seed Traders Association of Malawi.

The policy provides regulation and control for all seed issues, protects consumers and dealers and also promotes a responsible and productive seed industry and defines the regulatory roles of government. n