Arusha, Tanzania
10 July 2009

Source: AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center - Newsletter
Nadine Kwazi, Regional Center for Africa

The Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA) organized a one-day workshop on Seed Industry Development in Tanzania at the Golden Rose Conference Center. It was attended by stakeholders involved in the seed industry from the private and public sector. The Regional Center for Africa was represented by Mr. Jan Helsen, vBSS Project Manager and Ms. Ronia Tanyongana, vBSS Seed Health Specialist.

The objective of the workshop was to sensitize stakeholders— especially the private sector in the region—on the importance of affordable good quality seeds to the overall government food security objective, and to expose
stakeholders to the different seed schemes, regulation in the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), the
Organization for Economic C0-operation and Development (OECD), and the government plant health services.
 

Presentations were made by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) on the OECD Seed Schemes, ISTA, and progress the Institute has made toward becoming accredited to these two organizations. Accreditation success has been of concern to both government and the seed industry as it facilitates all trade in seed originating from Tanzania.

The Plant Services department presented an update on the regulations governing the import and export of seed with emphasis on seed bean, a big export in Tanzania.

One important constraint identified as hampering the growth of the seed industry in Tanzania was the lack of basic or foundation seed for many varieties needed by seed companies and other producers to multiply commercially.

Through the vBSS project, the Regional Center for Africa will hold an Innovation Platform meeting to chart a way forward for sharing foundation seed with the private sector.

Website: https://avrdc.org/

Published: July 24, 2009