ISF welcomed the launch of the new OECD-G7 plan to enhance Africa’s participation in the OECD seed certification scheme as part of the OECD’s wider efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and its contribution to economic development.
ISF is a strategic partner in the “Joint Initiative: Strengthening seed certification in Africa,” launched during a meeting of G7 agriculture ministers in Syracuse on 26-27 September. This initiative, a first of its kind, will improve seed quality and boost yields and farmer incomes across the continent. It will expand the uptake of the seed certification scheme to up to 14 African countries over five years.
Capacity-building activities will improve countries’ ability to:
- Meet global OECD Seed Schemes standards.
- Facilitate access to quality seeds to farmers, including smallholder farmers.
- Improve farmers’ and smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.
- Facilitate trade and access to new markets.
- Build an inclusive seed system to achieve national food security and sustainability goals, including resilience to climate change.
Michael Keller shared: “ISF is pleased to be a strategic partner in the new OECD-G7 plan to help countries in Africa benefit from meeting global OECD Seed Schemes standards and, ultimately, support regional seed trade and ensure that farmers, especially smallholder farmers, can access quality seeds. By cooperating with the OECD in this public-private partnership, ISF aims to support the development of the seed sector and agriculture sector, in general, in the continent.”
For more information about ISF’s involvement in this important initiative, watch this video or please get in touch with Khaoula Belhaj-Fragnière.
