Rwanda has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at eradicating fake seeds from its market by 2030 in an ambitious move to protect the agricultural sector and ensure food security in the country.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, in collaboration with the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), aims to safeguard farmers’ interests and promote sustainable agriculture practises throughout the country.
They jointly launched a roadmap on Wednesday, October 25, to fight against the proliferation of counterfeit seeds, which has posed a significant challenge to Rwanda’s agricultural industry in recent years.
Under the newly announced plan, the Rwandan government will implement a series of measures to combat the production, distribution, and sale of fake seeds
“We are looking forward as government to work with the private sector to create this modern and improved business environment to deliver high-quality seed to our farmers, counter the risks of counterfeit, low quality and fake seed in the market and thereby bring an improved livelihood to our farmers,” said Patrick Karangwa, the Director General for Agriculture Modernisation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
According to the 2020 African Seed Access Index, which measures the top four grain and legume crops (maize, bean, wheat, and soya), satisfaction with regards to efforts to stamp out fake seeds was 72 percent.
He said inputs, including seeds, are currently underutilised by Rwandan farmers since only 37 percent of farmers use quality seeds. Rwanda needs to increase its capacity to do high-quality seed production for future export opportunities, he noted.
Three years ago, Rwanda used to import over 3,000 metric tonnes of maize, wheat, and soyabean every year. But currently, he said, 9,000 tonnes are locally produced, promising a potential export market.
“The maize seed industry has demonstrated that it is possible to produce seed of good quality locally. The success of the maize seed industry needs to be replicated for other commodities.
“The private sector needs to ensure that the improved seed brings additional value to the farmer to increase profitability. We need to further modernise and capacitate our local seed industry players to be compliant with the new regulations that will be introduced,” he said.
Karangwa said seed companies and seed multipliers will be able to put more effort into research and innovation in the seed industry over the next seven years, while self-regulation to stamp out poor-quality seeds will be established.
“There is a need for access to finance for seed companies, seed multipliers, and farmers to use quality seeds,” he said.
The Chairperson of the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR), Innocent Namuhoranye, said that the new strategy is a public private partnership for developing and sustaining a robust and responsive seed industry.
“A vibrant open seed industry delivering high-yielding, good-quality seed to the Rwandan farmer and its export markets will be the key measurement of success,” Namuhoranye said.
Seed certification agency
As noted, the related roadmap advocates for the creation of a National Seed Certification Agency to set standards, monitor seed quality, and enforce compliance.
“This will instill confidence in farmers and incentivize investment in seed production.”
The plan will address the challenges in seed production by upgrading and expanding seed processing facilities, storage warehouses, and distribution networks, as well as ensuring sufficient testing of new varieties is done to prepare farmers for changes brought about by climate change.
The plan also includes genetically modified seeds.
“Rwanda currently prohibits the use of GMO seed types. It is obvious from numerous interactions that people are generally afraid of GMOs but are unaware of the technology and how it works. Some new developments in GMO testing have been reported,” reads the plan.
