Nyon, Switzerland (October 1, 2024) - Michael Keller, secretary general of the International Seed Federation (ISF), reacted to the new plan launched with the G7 to enhance Africa’s participation in the OECD seed certification scheme.
"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,' Keller says. "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."
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 September 26-27. This initiative will improve seed quality, 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.