Zambian Seed Industry Expanding Southern Africa Regional Markets – Feed the Future and USAID

The Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), Zambia's seed authority, has been accepted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) —a major achievement for SCCI, Zambian seed traders, Feed the Future, USAID Southern Africa, and the Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project. Zambia’s seed certification standards are now considered equivalent to all other OECD member countries within the same seed schemes. Zambian seed companies will now be able to trade using the globally recognized OECD seed label for export. OECD membership will grant Zambian seed companies access to markets with stringent seed regulations. This accreditation will strengthen Zambia’s status as the largest exporter of maize seed within the SADC region and cross Africa. cc SADC USAID Zambia COMESA.

Video Transcript 
THE FEED THE FUTURE SOUTHERN AFRICA SEED TRADE PROJECT Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) – Zambia Promotional Video – Transcript Mr. Julius J. Shawa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture The accreditation for Zambia is extremely important. We want to see Zambia meeting international standards for seed. ---- Mrs. Mable Simwanza, Director SCCI The future of the Zambian seed industry is quite bright. And with the harmonization in the SADC and COMESA regions, we see it expanding even more than the way it is right now. In the early 1990s, Zambia was cultivating about 4,000 ha of land under seed production. But now, we have gone up to about 65,000 ha and most of it is maize. ---- Dr. Francisco Miti, Chief Seeds Officer, Variety Testing, Registration, and Protection, SCCI The release process involves variety evaluation. Varieties are evaluated for distinctness, uniformity and stability as well as for value for cultivation and use. After a variety has been released, seed is produced according to OECD guidelines. ---- Ms. Theresa Mutiti, Seed Analyst SCCI My job is to make sure that what goes on the market from the seed companies is good quality seed. ---- Dr. Francisco Miti, Chief Seeds Officer, Variety Testing, Registration, and Protection, SCCI And SCCI is accredited with the International Seed Testing Association. ---- Dr. Nathan Phiri, Chief Seeds Officer - Inspections and Licensing, SCCI Zambia has become a regional center of excellence in terms of seed certification and seed production. ---- Dr. Francisco Miti, Chief Seeds Officer, Variety Testing, Registration, and Protection, SCCI SCCI is confident to supply high-quality seed to the world according to OECD procedures and standards. ---- Mr. Brian Mhango, Marketing Development Manager, Seed Co., Zambia SCCI does an excellent job as they have the expertise and qualified manpower. ---- Mr. Julius J. Shawa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture OECD is very important to Zambia because as a country we want to make sure that we meet international standards for seed. It will also enable the country to export in the region and beyond the region into the wider market for seed. ---- Dr. Francisco Miti, Chief Seeds Officer, Variety Testing, Registration, and Protection, SCCI One of the good things about Zambia is that the population is low so we have the land and can afford the isolation of crops. ---- Mr. Julius J. Shawa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture The future for seed in Zambia is very bright. We see ourselves as a major player supplying the region with OECD accreditation.