Source: Newsletter of the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC)
by Nadine Kwazi, Executive Assistant, AVRDC Regional Center for Africa

The first All Africa Horticulture Congress was held at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, from 31 August-3 September 2009, co-sponsored by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, the International Society for Horticultural Science, the Global Horticulture Initiative, and AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, among others.

A major highlight of the congress was a colloquium on Vegetable Seed Industry Development in Africa convened on 1 September by AVRDC. The colloquium attracted about 100 participants and featured presentations from Dr. Edo Liong Lin from the West Africa Seed Alliance, Mrs. Tasiana Maingu from the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute, and Mr. George Onyango Miruka from the Kenya-based private seed company Hygrotech Ltd.

A lively panel discussion followed the presentations. Panelists included

• Dr. Moses Onim, Lagrotech Seed Company, Kenya;
• Mr. Azaria Bartai Soi, Simlaw Seeds Company Ltd., Kenya;
• Mr. Guy Blaise Satsa, Tropicasem, Cameroon;
• Mr. Baldwin Shuma, Tanzania Seed Trade Association;
• Mr. Francis Obongo Nyachae, Seed Trade Association of Kenya;
• Dr. Richard Bruce Jones, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Kenya;
• Dr. Harold Roy-Macauley from the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal;
• Dr. Sonja Louise Venter, South Africa;
• Dr. Fatunbi Abiodun Oluwole, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Ghana; and
• Mr. Geoffrey Kirenga, Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Jackie Hughes, AVRDC Deputy Director General-Research.

Key issues arising from the discussion:

• No major vegetable seed industry exists in West Africa, while in East Africa several seed enterprises of various sizes are operating, but lack vegetable breeding programs.
• Vegetable seed commercialization can be profitable, but varieties must be accepted locally to ensure market demand.
• The facilitating role of policy and the importance of good business practice standards were highlighted as essential components of a viable vegetable seed industry.
  
   

The Vegetable Breeding and Seed Systems (vBSS) Program Advisory Committee met on 3 September 2009 during the congress. (front row, left to right): Committee members Dr. Jackie Hughes, Dr. Harold Roy-Macauley (chair), Dr. Sonja Venter, and Dr. Fatunbi Oluwole. (back row, l to r): Mr. Benjamin Rakotoarisoa, Ms. Nadine Kwazi, Dr. Mel Oluoch, Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Dr. Ekow Akyeampong, Ms. Ronia Tanyongana, Mr. Jan Helsen, Dr. Christophe Kouamé, observers; Dr. Richard Jones, committee member.

Thanks to the AVRDC organizing committee—chair Ronia Tanyongana, Marilyn Belarmino, Takemore Chagomoka, Fekadu Dinssa, Nadine Kwazi, and Chris Ojiewo—for a job well done.

Website: https://avrdc.org/

Published: October 2, 2009