b'ADDRESSING THETRIPLE CHALLENGEKEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE CONTRIBUTION OF SEED TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS IN AFRICA WORKSHOP.BY: MARCEL BRUINSE arlier this year in January, the Organization for EconomicTo achieve the maximum benefits from seed, however, requires Cooperation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes heldintensive planning, especially in a seed system that consists pri-a policy workshop on the contribution of seed to sustainablemarily of smallholder farmers. That work is underway, at least in food systems in Africa. This workshop brought together participantspart thanks to the efforts of the African Union (AU), a group of from all over the world to deliberate on the central role of seeds in55 Member States formed in 2001 to promote economic and social fostering food security across Africa. With a wide range of actorswell-being across Africa.from the seed sector, including international organisations, seedOne of the key participants of the workshop was from the associations, companies and government officials from multipleAfrican Union who outlined a comprehensive 50-year plan to continents, as well as and both regional and national seed organi- achieve food security across the continent, explains Gaspar. sations from Africa, the discussions highlighted the importance ofCentral to the AUs initiative is the promotion of seed sector collaboration among public and private entities to address the tripledevelopment and the adoption of quality seeds by farmers, an effort challenge facing agricultural systems: food security, livelihoods, andsupported by multiple others. Regional economic cooperation sustainability. Seed World Europe spoke with Csaba Gaspar, Headframeworks, such as the Economic Community of West African of Section of the OECD Codes and Schemes (which includes theStates (ECOWAS), East African Community (EAC), Common OECD Seed Schemes) to get his perspective on the workshop andMarket for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and South its main takeaways. African Development Community (SADC), have been instrumen-tal in aligning seed certification systems in Africa with international THE TRIPLE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLEstandards, notably the OECD Seed Schemes, he adds. AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS Seed is one of the most important input products to any food system, Africas included, and thus plays a key role in promotingThe OECD Seed Schemes policy workshop on The Contribution of Seed to food security and nutrition, supporting livelihoods and building aSustainable Food Systems in Africa attracted 80 participants, including many from sustainable agriculture and food system.African countries.36ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE'