68 GERMINATION.CA MARCH 2019 WORLD STATUS assess what exists, identify gaps and support required reforms on the part of Bank’s regional member coun- tries to accelerate policy harmonization,” says Nnenna Nwabufo, the deputy director general, East African Regional Hub at the African Development Bank. —Source: African Development Bank INDIA PRIME MINISTER Shri Narendra Modi furthered his vision of doubling farmers’ incomes with the inauguration of the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (IRRI SARC) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This research facility will strengthen the national research capacity of rice-growing countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Delivering advanced research, teaching and services to improve crop production, seed quality and the nutritional value of rice, the centre will also work with national partners to enhance farmers’ knowledge and income. Modi took a tour of the state-of-the-art laboratories of the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, interacting with the scientists of the institute. KENYA LEADING ORGANIZATIONS in agricultural policy, trade, and technology met in Nairobi to identify bottlenecks in the implementation of harmonized seed regulations within the Eastern and Southern Africa region and develop an action plan towards eliminating these challenges. The action plan developed after two days of deliberations will accelerate seed variety release and deployment, making it easier for seed varieties to be deployed in areas with simi- lar agro-ecological conditions without necessarily going through lengthy procedures. This will also boost regional trade in seed and agricultural produce. The two-day consultation workshop was organized by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA). It brought together delegates from 21 member countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). “There is urgent need to push for harmonization of existing policies, regulations and protocols through regional policy dialogue and consultation workshops to Kenya works to modernize its seeds regulations while India bolsters Asian and African rice development.