Seed Technologies Key To Addressing Africa Agric Problems

High-quality seeds are crucial for enhancing crop productivity and ensuring food security in Africa. Dr. Munyaradzi Jonga, a Seed Production Specialist, highlighted at the AFSTA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya, that leveraging available high-quality seeds of climate-smart varieties from regional breeding programs could significantly boost agricultural productivity. He emphasized the need for policies to stimulate demand and strengthen seed systems. Dr. Jonga identified various challenges hindering seed system development and food production, including inefficient policy environments and poor seed quality. He stressed the importance of partnerships in technology commercialization and raising awareness among farmers. To overcome barriers to commercialization, seed systems are working on mechanisms to enable private companies to access and market climate-resilient varieties. Source: Daily Trust

OUR REVIEW
The availability of high-quality seeds is paramount for bolstering crop productivity and ensuring food security across Africa. Dr. Munyaradzi Jonga, a Seed Production Specialist, emphasized at the AFSTA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya, the potential of leveraging high-quality seeds from regional breeding programs to significantly enhance agricultural productivity. He called for policies to drive demand and fortify seed systems, addressing challenges like inadequate policies and substandard seed quality. Dr. Jonga highlighted the pivotal role of partnerships in commercializing technology and educating farmers. Efforts to facilitate private sector access to market climate-resilient varieties are underway to overcome commercialization barriers. This initiative stands to positively impact the entire agri-food value chain by fostering informed decision-making and driving growth.