b'For Gaspar, positive advancements are evident in Africa, particularly in East Africa, especially in regard to the fostering of cooperation and establishment of regulatory frameworks in align-ment with international standards. These efforts encompass vari-ous harmonization areas such as variety release, seed certification, phytosanitary measures, and procedures for seed importation, and together contribute to the substantial growth of the seed sector across the continent.Gaspar says that the workshop identified key recommendations to move Africas seed system forward.Challenges and Actions identifiedby the WorkshopThe threat of climate change poses significantconcern. Increasing the diversity of crops would help improve seed production for climate-smart crops/varieties. Capacity for plant breeding should beincreased. Africa has a great capacity forPost-control tests answer two questions about certified seed that has already been sold to farmers and planted and will not be further multiplied:breeding and releasing varieties which are(i) Does the varietal identity conform to that stated on the label?climate adapted and drought tolerant. An(ii) Does the sample conform to the published standards for varietal purity?enabling regulatory environment is instrumental in fostering investment in plant breedingLESSON LEARNED FROM THE WORKSHOPinnovations (key role of UPOV).AND ACTIONS Cross-border seed movement could beGaspar says the workshop offered great presentations and excellentimproved as no country is completelydiscussions. independent in seed supply. Many countries stillAs a result of the many discussions we had, we were able to use national seed legislation when handlingformulate several lessons learned. In addition, we also wrote down cross-border matters.action plans, says Gaspar. The lessons learned include: Cooperation on the international level is crucial. The World Seed Partnership (WSP; www.worldseedpartnership.org) plays a key Harmonizing seed systems between African regional organisations (such as COMESA,role in supporting the development of the seed sector in coun-SADC, ECOWAS) and harmonizing national besttries around the world, including across Africa. The OECD Seed practices within the African countries is crucial. Schemes also works with African organisations, particularly with the African Union, to identify and work on issues that can help Africa needs pragmatic, cost-effective, and predictable seed certification systems. Thereseed sector development in African countries. These international needs to be sufficient capacity and resourcesinitiatives can deliver value to African countries, but it is also for regulatory implementation in order tocrucial to build capacity within African countries: o As international organisations can facilitate the development develop functioning seed certification systems.of the seed sector in African countries it is important for African countries to regularly and actively participate in the The OECD seed certification system could be further developed, notably in relation towork of international organisations. agreements regarding multiplication abroad.o As cooperation between countries is key, the OECD Seed Schemes can act as a level playing field to facilitate collabo-The OECD Seed Schemes is ready toration amongst governments, as well as between the public accommodate and certify seed of varietiesand private sector. regardless to their breeding methods andoAs public-private partnerships within countries are also thus also those that are developed by newessential, cooperation between the seed authorities and the plant breeding techniques. This advantage ofrepresentatives of the national seed sector should be further the OECD seed certification system should beencouraged.better promoted in African countries.It is vital to encourage African countries to participate in the Developing seed system that are inclusive is keyOECD Seed Schemes, which can help African countries reach their national seed sector development goals.to ensuring the sustainability of food systems onCapacity building is a high priority as many African countries the continent.recognise the importance of access to quality seed for farmers, Farmers education is essential, notably toand those countries governments wish to develop their nationalensure best practices in crop production andseed sectors. With its robust capacity-building programme, the appropriate use of varieties. OECD Seed Schemes can help in this area.Formal and informal seed systems can work as complementary systems and do not necessarily conflict with each other. 38ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE'