75
ESA since the 1990s, less than 5% have been successfully released and marketed in
more than one country (Abate et al. 2017).
A formal variety release process remains essential in emerging seed markets
such as ESA, to protect both farmers and the nascent seed industry from the entry of
substandard products on to the market. However, the current regulatory environment in ESA is widely acknowledged to be costly and cumbersome for the seed
industry (Bett 2017). Table 6.2 shows the current status of variety release processes
in six ESA countries; the intercountry variations that exist throughout the variety
release process are limiting market opportunities for seed companies and complicating both stock inventory and the consolidation of production bases.
Currently, very few variety release committees (VRCs) in ESA explicitly consider CS traits for variety release (Table 6.2). Given the extra investment and effort
required to develop CS varieties, it is necessary to prioritise the release of varieties
with these traits to secure private sector interest and commitment. The recent decision by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to fast track the
release of varieties tolerant to maize lethal necrosis (MLN) in Kenya is an example
of engaging seed sector support to address an urgent challenge for smallholder
farmers. The current outbreak of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) throughout Africa provides another opportunity to prioritise a trait that is likely to become
more relevant as temperatures increase in ESA as a result of CC.
Developing a brand around a CS trait such as drought tolerance represents a
major commitment by a seed company to accept a certain degree of responsibility
for varietal performance. To support the private sector to assume these risks, regulatory bodies in ESA need to provide a solid framework to protect intellectual property and clamp down on counterfeit seed that can damage farmer confidence in
improved varieties. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the prevalence of counterfeit seed on sale in ESA and inadequate efforts by governments and
regulatory authorities to address the problem (Mabaya et al. 2017; Bold et al. 2015).
In Uganda for example, it is estimated that up to 50% of seed sold as certified seed
is either fake or of substandard quality (AGRA 2011; Bold et al. 2015). Joining the
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and
adopting global plant variety protection standards will increase private sector confidence in intellectual property protection and seed quality in ESA, though only
Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa are currently members in ESA (Table 6.2).
Replacing old varieties with new, improved varieties will be a key pillar to driving agricultural productivity in ESA in the coming years, as it has in other parts of
the world (Atlin et al. 2017). The benefits of cultivating improved, CS varieties need
to be promoted (via extension services) to smallholder farmers who are operating in
rain-fed, suboptimal environments at risk from CC. To drive uptake, the withdrawal
of obsolete mega varieties should be encouraged and varieties with CS traits should
be prioritised in farmer demonstrations and seed distribution programmes.
6 Role and Challenges of the Private Seed Sector in Developing and Disseminating…
ESA since the 1990s, less than 5% have been successfully released and marketed in
more than one country (Abate et al. 2017).
A formal variety release process remains essential in emerging seed markets
such as ESA, to protect both farmers and the nascent seed industry from the entry of
substandard products on to the market. However, the current regulatory environment in ESA is widely acknowledged to be costly and cumbersome for the seed
industry (Bett 2017). Table 6.2 shows the current status of variety release processes
in six ESA countries; the intercountry variations that exist throughout the variety
release process are limiting market opportunities for seed companies and complicating both stock inventory and the consolidation of production bases.
Currently, very few variety release committees (VRCs) in ESA explicitly consider CS traits for variety release (Table 6.2). Given the extra investment and effort
required to develop CS varieties, it is necessary to prioritise the release of varieties
with these traits to secure private sector interest and commitment. The recent decision by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to fast track the
release of varieties tolerant to maize lethal necrosis (MLN) in Kenya is an example
of engaging seed sector support to address an urgent challenge for smallholder
farmers. The current outbreak of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) throughout Africa provides another opportunity to prioritise a trait that is likely to become
more relevant as temperatures increase in ESA as a result of CC.
Developing a brand around a CS trait such as drought tolerance represents a
major commitment by a seed company to accept a certain degree of responsibility
for varietal performance. To support the private sector to assume these risks, regulatory bodies in ESA need to provide a solid framework to protect intellectual property and clamp down on counterfeit seed that can damage farmer confidence in
improved varieties. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the prevalence of counterfeit seed on sale in ESA and inadequate efforts by governments and
regulatory authorities to address the problem (Mabaya et al. 2017; Bold et al. 2015).
In Uganda for example, it is estimated that up to 50% of seed sold as certified seed
is either fake or of substandard quality (AGRA 2011; Bold et al. 2015). Joining the
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and
adopting global plant variety protection standards will increase private sector confidence in intellectual property protection and seed quality in ESA, though only
Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa are currently members in ESA (Table 6.2).
Replacing old varieties with new, improved varieties will be a key pillar to driving agricultural productivity in ESA in the coming years, as it has in other parts of
the world (Atlin et al. 2017). The benefits of cultivating improved, CS varieties need
to be promoted (via extension services) to smallholder farmers who are operating in
rain-fed, suboptimal environments at risk from CC. To drive uptake, the withdrawal
of obsolete mega varieties should be encouraged and varieties with CS traits should
be prioritised in farmer demonstrations and seed distribution programmes.
6 Role and Challenges of the Private Seed Sector in Developing and Disseminating…