Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched the Seed Information System and operationalised the seed labelling and certification system in to strengthen regional agricultural markets, increase investment in the sector and contribute towards food and nutrition security across the region.
The system is also intended to boost regional agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ access to quality planting material and enhance food security in all member states.
The launch was held in Lusaka, Zambia, on Thursday.
Launching COMSIS, Alliance for Commodity Trade in East and Southern Africa (ACTESA) chief executive, Dr John Mukuka, commended the COMESA Secretariat for enhancing regional cooperation in agriculture.
“As member states, we believe that these efforts are critical in steering us towards the common goals of accessible quality seed to our farmers, improved agricultural productivity, and food security in all member countries of COMESA,” he said.
“For our region to achieve the goals of improved agricultural productivity and food security, we need to increase production of quality and affordable seed.
“Our small-scale farmers cannot achieve increased yields, improved household incomes, and resilience to climate change if our countries do not provide quality and affordable seed.”
Dr Mukuka said smallholder farmers were still struggling to access certified and high-quality seed due to fragmented markets, conflicting national seed regulations and limited access to reliable information.
“The end result is that the movement of improved seed across our borders is constrained, thereby limiting the potential of regional agricultural trade,” he said.
“The launch of the COMESA seed information system is, therefore, more than the unveiling of a digital platform. It is a practical step towards creating a more integrated, transparent and efficient regional seed sector,” he said.
By bringing together information on seed varieties, certification, seed producers and regulatory processes, the COMESA Seed Information System is expected to help governments make informed decisions.
The system will also support businesses in trading more efficiently and ensure thatfarmers have enhanced access to quality seed.
“The need to harmonise the regional seed system is crucial in improving confidence in the quality of seed traded across our borders. The goal is for us to reduce barriers to trade, and create a more competitive regional seed industry,” he said.
Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Mr John Mulongoti, said the launch marked a milestone in the implementation of the COMESA Seed Trade Harmonisation Implementation Plan (COMSHIP).
“Over the past decade, together with our Member States and partners, we have worked diligently to harmonise seed regulations across the region,” he said.
“These efforts have helped reduce technical trade barriers, improved cooperation among national seed authorities, encouraged private sector investment and expanded opportunities for the movement of quality seed across borders,” he said.
Mr Mulongoti said harmonised policies alone were not enough and there was a need for modern systems that supported transparency, efficiency and informed decision-making to fully unlock the potential of regional seed trade.
“COMSIS is more than a digital platform. It is a regional public good that will enable Member States to share reliable seed information, improve regulatory coordination, provide greater visibility of registered seed varieties, strengthen seed certification processes and support evidence-based policy decisions.
“It will make it easier for quality seed to reach the farmers who need it most. This initiative represents a practical solution to ensuring that seed traded within our region is traceable, authentic and of high quality,” he said.
COMESA is a regional economic organisation of 21 member states established in December 1994.
The bloc is targeted at achieving sustainable economic and social growth through regional integration and trade.
Zimbabwe will assume the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in October 2026 when it hosts the regional bloc’s 25th Summit.
