b'PARTNER CONTENTEnsuring Continuous Breeding And Innovation in South AfricaA 5-Year ReviewW ith an increase in disease pressure and climate changeAfrican producers should have access to the same technologies around the globe its important to ensure farmers haveand possible advantages these technologies may bring as their access to the most appropriate varieties for local chal- international counterparts. lenges. Self-pollinating crops can be saved after harvesting fromNew alliances have been entered into with regards to wheat one season to the next season. This is common practice in Southbreeding programmes, which will further enhance the need Africa where approximately 65% of wheat and 80% of soybeansfor high yielding wheat varieties. A local seed company entered are produced from farm-saved seed. For this reason, seed andinto an agreement with NAIB (National Institute of Agricultural technology companies are hesitant to invest in new variety andBotany) in the UK, to collaborate in a project aimed at overcoming technology development, as their return on investment is inef- yield limiting factors in SA, using modern breeding techniques. fectual. To ensure that farmers continue to receive the newest technology, the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) was established. The main purpose of SACTA, is to col-lect and distribute statutory levies for breeding and technology that have been imposed on specific self-pollinated crops.Wheat and barley were the first two crops on which a levy wasApproximately 65% of wheat and 80% ofimposed, followed by oats and soybeans. The average rate of levy collections on the most important crops is 90% at a total cost ofsoybeans in South Africa are producedabout 5.5% of gross income. It is clear that, South African farmers and seed companies can collaborate to ensure food security as wellfrom farm-saved seed.as enhanced varieties for improved agriculture in South Africa.Breeding, testing, and the introduction of new varieties is a process that takes several seasons to complete. South Africa is fortunate to still have local breeding programmes, where unique, adapted varieties can be developed and marketed. Although these programmes are local, they make use of genetic material licensedAnother South African seed company has also applied to be a from companies abroad. The breeding and technology levy sys- collaborator in wheat breeding programmes at The Agricultural tem provides a means of incentivizing the companies who makeResearch Council in Australia. This research project is aimed at their lines available for breeding purposes.developing wheat genetic material by using modern breeding One of the conditions of having statutory levies is that at leasttechniques to breed wheat varieties that can overcome produc-20% of the levies collected have to be allocated to suitable trans- tion stress situations. This work will be done on existing South formation projects such as, the upliftment of emerging farmers.African wheat plant material. To participate in projects such as For rendering the administration service SACTA is allowed a fa- this, a substantial financial contribution has to be made which cilitation fee that does not exceed 10% of the total levies collected.would not have been possible without the current breeding and The remaining portion, which is the bulk of the levy, has to betechnology levy.distributed to qualifying seed breeding companies according toThe existence of SACTA and the system of a breeding and tech-their respective market shares. The market share of each partici- nology levy has brought a level of surety that we in South Africa, pating company is determined by means of agreed formulae inhave an effective system whereby seed breeding companies can respect of each crop.be remunerated for their investments in bringing new varieties to As a result of the SACTA levy, soybean producers are now final- the market. This system should be supported and maintained as ly able to access newer soybean technologies (INTACTA Roundupit is highly effective and unique in ensuring genetic advancement Ready2 Pro) that is already available to several countries. Southof self-pollinated crops in agriculture.DECEMBER 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /49'