The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has disclosed that out of 80 million small holder farmers in COMESA region, only 20% have access to quality and improved seed.
COMESA has also disclosed that region has come up with Seed Labels and Certificates that will be used by seed companies for large seed assignment across the borders.
Speaking when he officiated the seed companies meeting under the theme Training on the Ordering, use and Trading using Seed Labels and Certificates, COMESA Director of Agriculture and Industry Thierry Kalonji says the act is to make sure that the ordering and trading for the seeds companies is smooth, effective and effective.
He said this has affected small holder farmer household incomes as well as food security across the COMESA region.
Mr. Kalonji said the potential of total seed market in the COMESA region is at 2 million metric tonnes of quality and improved seed, but that the region is currently producing and accessing less than 520,000 metric tonnes of quality and improved seed.
He added that this has affected about 130 million people out of the total of 530 million COMESA population remaining food insecure, experience chronic poverty and hunger.
Mr. Kalonji said the above is attributed to the fact that, regional seed market is fragmented into small national markets, each country operates its own seed policies and regulations different from other COMESA member state.