Authors – Sanjeeb Dhakal
As a key agricultural input, seeds play a fundamental role in developing the resilient agricultural sectors and food systems that underpin food security and nutrition, and support the livelihoods of farmers and other actors in the value chain.
The seed industry is truly globalised: A seed lot can be expected to travel through several countries for multiplication, production, processing and packaging before it reaches a farmer.
It is also time sensitive, with defined periods for sowing and harvesting different crops. As such, the necessary restrictions on movement and transport put in place by governments to protect their people from COVID-19 have the potential to seriously affect the production, certification, distribution and cost of seed.
Although many countries are working to keep borders open and trade flowing, a number of issues are emerging related to the business of trade.
The increased cost of air transport due to the reduced availability of commercial flights may hamper seed supply chains and on-time delivery of seed.
Limits on the mobility of people are affecting a variety of production, trade and sales processes. In addition, delays at borders due to stricter safety measures and fewer personnel are affecting timings and costs.
Depending on how long the pandemic and associated confinement measures continue, the seed sector and its associated supply chains could feel the impact of COVID-19 long into the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to seriously affect the production, certification, distribution and cost of seeds, which play a fundamental role in developing resilient agricultural sectors and food systems in least developed countries.
Availability and cost of transport due to the reduced number of commercial flights; fewer personnel available for production, transportation and documentation processes; and a contraction in the market for plants and seeds is creating problems in terms of the production of seed for international trade, as well as access to high quality seed of modern varieties for domestic agriculture.
Communication, collaboration and harmonisation of measures among governments is critical, and the classification of the agriculture sector as “essential” is important to ensure the continued movement of seed.
“Although most spring and autumn seed had already arrived in its final country of destination before COVID-19 travel restrictions were put in place, for both developed and developing countries it is uncertain whether seed that is currently being produced for sowing in the next growing seasons will arrive in time.”
Solutions:
1. Actions from Actors of the Seed system :As we already know, seed production goes through processes like breeding, testing, seed production, processing, sales, and extension services where various actors have their roles. Variety development, maintenance, and breeder seed production and supply are mainly carried out by public research institutions.
2) Encouraging Farmers for Seed Replacement
3) Respect rules and regulations but adapt:
Different countries are feeling the impact of COVID-19 in different ways depending on the crop and season (planting or harvesting). Many countries have classified agriculture as an “essential” industry and, as such, certification staff and companies are allowed to continue operating, while obeying social distancing rules. This means staff rotates to limit the number of people in offices and laboratories and wearing special protective equipment when carrying out field inspections, or delegating authority to private sector staff. In cases where company staff are given exceptional authority to carry out certain certification activities, their authority is limited and a notification must appear on the seed lot label.
4) Communicate and harmonise: Communication helps share best practices and the harmonisation of measures between countries smooths processes. Even those countries that do not have a strong seed production sector acknowledge the important role that other seed producing countries play and are supportive of flexible solutions within the current regulatory framework or temporary derogation of Rules and Regulations to facilitate international seed trade.
5) Stay informed and prepared: As the situation is constantly changing, it is important that policy makers and regulators are regularly receiving accurate, reliable and up to date information. A number of National Designated Authorities (NDAs) are holding weekly up-date meetings and are in regular contact with industry, either directly or through associations such as the International Seed Federation (ISF) and World Farmers Organisation (WFO).
6) Enhancing the Genetic Factors of Seeds through Breeding.
7) Increased Seed Storing Facilities.
8) Introduction of Sanitary measures in Agriculture.
9) Digitalization on Seed Sector.
