78 / SEEDWORLD.COM FEBRUARY 2019 world STATUS A look at seed industry developments around the globe. Organizations met in Kenya to discuss implementation of harmonized seed regulations, Prime Minister of India inaugurated the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. STATUS KENYA Leading organizations in agricultural policy, trade, and technology met in Nairobi from December 13-14 to identify bottlenecks in the implementation of harmo- nized seed regulations within the Eastern and Southern Africa region and develop an action plan towards eliminat- ing these challenges. The action plan developed after two days of deliberations will accelerate seed variety release and deployment, making it easier for seed vari- eties to be deployed in areas with similar agro-ecological conditions without necessarily going through lengthy pro- cedures. This will also boost regional trade in seed and agricultural produce. The 2-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 consul- tation workshops to assess what exists, identify gaps and support required reforms on the part of Bank’s regional member countries to acceler- ate policy harmonization,” says Nnenna Nwabufo, the deputy director general, East African Regional Hub at the African Development Bank. Experts at the meeting completed: a status report on the progress of COMESA Seed Harmonization Implementation Plan (COMSHIP) at regional and country level; a costed action plan identifying technical and financial support required for evidence-based policy review and harmonization; a road map and work plan to help fast-track the imple- mentation of COMSHIP in COMESA member countries; a country by country work plan to ensure in-country policies and regulations are updated to meet regional standards for harmonization of seed policies. —Source: The African Agricultural Technology Foundation STATUS INDIA Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, furthered his vision of doubling farmers’ incomes with the inaugura- tion 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 nutri- tional value of rice, the center will also work with national partners to enhance farmers’ knowledge and income. Prime Minister Modi took a tour of the state-of-the-art laboratories of the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, interact- ing with the scientists of the institute. The inauguration was also graced by the Chief Minister for Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath, Shri Ram Naik, Governor for Uttar Pradesh, Agriculture Minister for Uttar Pradesh Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, and Shri Mahendranath Pandey, Member of Parliament (Chandauli), and Minister of Communications and Minister of State for Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha. Representatives from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and other key donors and partner organizations were also in attendance. “This is a landmark moment for India and IRRI. This state-of-the-art rice research center will catalyze South-South collaboration, strengthen the research expertise and capacity of rice-growing countries in the region, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals,” remarks IRRI director general, Matthew Morell. “It is only through the support of our network of global part- ners, such as the Government of India, that knowledge and innovations gained at this center can be speedily tai- lored to meet needs of farm- ers in India, across South Asia and across Africa.” —Source: International Rice Research Institute STATUS SOUTH AFRICA A breakthrough by the African Centre for Crop Improvement in the breeding