Seeds in Africa (2/3): why cooperation is essential to better structure local sectors
Access to quality seeds is a strategic issue for farmers in developing countries, particularly in Africa, so they can increase their yields and the quality of their production. In the face of climate change, seed breeding is an essential tool for achieving this, particularly in a context of reduced use of inputs. Intensifying cooperation to structure seed sectors will contribute sustainably to economic and agricultural development in African countries.
Seeds, a key element for food security in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, varietal selection is generally entrusted to public research centers. The varieties commonly used in Africa are generally very old (several decades old) compared to averages of less than 10 years in Europe. In addition, Trade in quality seeds in Africa represents 3.1% of global trade and focuses on vegetable seeds. It now appears more than important to make progress in these areas to increase African production capacity, which has immense potential. This is why international seed groups are beginning to take an interest in the sector on this continent.
The production of quality seeds is a particularly regulated area of activity through international standards for the certification of commercialized agricultural seeds, including the OECD Seed Varietal Certification Scheme. This system provides a global regulatory framework for the seed certification, aimed at facilitating the marketing of seeds and their international exchange through the simplification and harmonization of documentation, inspection and testing procedures. It guarantees the transparency, traceability and quality of seeds.
With regard to intellectual property, the principles of which aim to remunerate efforts in varietal creation which are particularly costly for breeders, 96 countries and regional organisations (EU, OAPI) are members of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), thus guaranteeing protection through plant variety certificates. Half of the African continent has now joined this system, thanks to the harmonization of regulations of sub-regional organizations in this area.
France, an essential seed industry
In this context, France, 1er seed producer of the European Union, is renowned for its organization and the quality of its seeds, which it exports to 150 countries on 5 continents.
This sector of excellence is already mobilized internationally to support producers in the organization and development of their sectors, but it is undoubtedly possible to do more within the framework of cooperation partnerships and appropriate financing that are long-term in order to achieve realistic objectives in terms of structuring seed sectors. The expectations of France's African partner countries are numerous in this regard. This is particularly the case in Cameroon and Angola. where the French private sector was invited, during official visits (July 2022 and March 2023), to propose new structuring projects for the agricultural sectors.
The French seed sector is indeed likely to be mobilized within the framework of French initiatives developed to deal with the global food crisis, in particular the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission launched by President Macron in March 2022 (pillar 3 aimed at supporting sustainable production capacities). The “research” working group also recommended increasing production in Africa – while preserving the sustainability of ecosystems – by investing in particular in plant proteins for human consumption.
Promoting access to quality seeds through the structuring of local sectors
With the aim of developing agricultural production in the countries of the South, the most constructive approach consists of locally stimulate the structuring of quality seed production sectors. On the contrary, an approach that would consist of supplying these countries with seeds produced in Europe under very different soil and climate conditions is not suitable. This approach is not in any way sustainable and cannot be successful, because it takes years to select seeds adapted to local soil and climate conditions and to put them on the market at prices acceptable to local producers within the framework of sectors offering remunerative levels of valuation.
There upgrading of quality seed production and multiplication sectors, in a logic of private sector development, is a long and costly process. It primarily involves bringing together a set of regulatory conditions and standards that will allow the supervision of production, control, certification and intellectual property activities for quality seeds. Upgrading and proper implementation of regulations, as well as capacity building efforts, are the keys to success, as are the equipment and infrastructure necessary for the smooth running of the technical stages at the local level (testing grounds, laboratories, etc.).
Intellectual property rights for seeds, the quality of the business environment, the fight against counterfeiting and access to financing also provide a secure framework for economic players and investors who believe in the potential of this production sector. It is under these conditions that the private sector, including European seed companies, will be encouraged to become involved in the long term and to develop investments in these local sectors.
Focus on the private sector and market liberalization, as long as intellectual property and certification regulations are harmonized and applied, will contribute to the marketing of new adapted varieties. The offer will also be enriched in terms of biodiversity for farmers. In this context, public research centers will be encouraged to cooperate with the private sector.
Intensifying cooperation in favor of structuring seed sectors in Africa
The organizations of the French seed and plant sector have supported many African countries for decades by pursuing the objective of better organization of the private sector and the adoption of international standards, depending on the country and sector, on different types of activities and methods of cooperation.
Support through the mobilization of French experts was an important area of cooperation. The actions focused in particular on the certification and control of varieties according to species. The support covered both the part relating to the analysis of regulatory texts for varietal certification, variety registration, and plant variety protection through the workshops of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), as well as on the field part including the inspection of plots, trials and tests...
Training has also been developed on standards and regulations, the implementation of texts, and the upgrading of controllers and laboratory technicians in tests and examinations. Support has also focused on the creation and management of national and continental professional seed organizations (such as the African Seed Trade Association) which bring together all private stakeholders and engage in dialogue with national and regional institutions on private sector issues and priorities.
In view of the levels of yields in Africa and the challenges of food security, French seed and plant players are ready to intensify their efforts in favor of the structuring of seed sectors and the professionalization of private actors to help them develop yield levels and the quality of production, taking into account the challenges of biodiversity and climate change.
