Abstract:
The formal seed system in Ethiopia is relatively young, and
significant development was seen only since the late 1990s.
Regardless of the growth in seed production, ensuring seed quality
remains a challenge in the country. The strong focus of the
government on agricultural extension might have affected how the
regulatory system is organized and functioning for many reasons.
Generally, the regulatory system in the country has limited capacity
and effectiveness of its functions. Moreover, seed is an international
commodity that is regulated by international quality standards.
International organizations have established variety release
procedures and strict generation control to maintain the varietal
purity and identity by establishing standardized certification
schemes for commercial seed production. Many countries, including
Ethiopia, adapted these procedures in their respective country seed
law.
Maintaining seed quality starts with the release of a superior variety.
Newly developed superior varieties should be made available to
seed producers and eventually to farmers through an efficient,
effective, inclusive, and transparent registration and release system.
The variety must meet many criteria, which has to be evaluated by a
~ 2 ~
competent independent body. To develop a competitive and vibrant
formal seed system that can ensure the availability of quality seeds
of the available superior varieties that meet farmers' demand and
compete in the international market, establishing an effective and
efficient seed quality control and assurance system that serves along
the seed value chain is critical. It is only recently that regional states
have established independent agricultural input regulatory
authorities, although their capacity and capability are far below
optimum. This document presents the status of the seed quality
control and assurance system in the country covering (i) the
assurance of the release of superior variety(ii) internal seed quality
control, and (iii) external seed quality assurance. The key challenges
and intervention options (recommendations) are also summarized.
