Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
LA NINA is back again — the cooler and natural weather phenomenon that often turbocharges a wetter season in Zimbabwe and other southern African countries.
This weather process often means more precipitation and good harvest prospects for farmers in the country. On the flip side, particularly now, during the planting season, there is a costlier side for farmers — fake or counterfeit seed.
Some unscrupulous businessmen and dealers try to make quick money by selling fake seed to unsuspecting farmers.
These dealers make their own packaging material or illegally acquire genuine packaging bags from seed companies.
They then dye the seed with a green colour and sell it to unsuspecting farmers.
Every year, the start of the planting comes with an increase in counterfeit seeds being sold as legitimate company stock on various marketing platforms — high-density flea markets, Mbare Musika market and numerous others dotted across the country which are hotspots for counterfeit seed.
The risks are high and any farmer can be a victim of fake seed dealers.
How can you avoid being cheated? Here are several tips to consider when purchasing maize seed or other critical farm inputs.
Farmers can avoid being cheated by buying maize seed only from reputable or well-known agro-dealers or buying seed from seed companies’ depots.
They are also encouraged to first ask for licences of the shop from where they want to buy the maize seed and to know the exact name of the seed they want before buying.
Farmers have to carefully look at the labels and be able to differentiate the varieties on the market. They must be able to differentiate between these varieties and the most suitable ones for their agro-ecological region.
Farmers must feel free to go and report any person who sells maize seeds without licences and those who sell seeds that do not have proper labels.
Every genuine seed bag has a plant health inspection or seed certification tag inside it showing that the seed has been inspected and approved by the relevant company or government seed certification agency.
Farmers should check for this tag whenever they open the bag to check that the seed is genuine.
Agricultural extension experts also say it is important for farmers to buy seeds early enough to avoid last minute rush.
Farmers who often buy their seed late are most likely to get cheated because fake seed floods the market whenever the demand is high, particularly now when the planting season kicks off.
Farmers should not buy seed if the seal in the seed bag is tampered with or missing. The dye used on genuine seed does not remain in the hands when handled.
The dye in fake seeds comes off easily, experts say. In addition, farmers must ensure that you do not buy expired seed as this may lead to germination failure and poor growth of your maize crop.
Some local seed companies have developed an SMS technology to help farmers detect fake seeds.
This technology enables them to send special codes printed in the package and receive a response indicating if the seeds are genuine or fake.
Other Zimbabwean seed companies are investing heavily in branding to make it hard for fake seed traders to imitate their packaging.
Illicit traders often imitate the packaging bags of established seed companies which makes it difficult for farmers to tell the difference.
Experts from established seed companies and government certification agencies say before buying maize seed, the farmer should consider the following guidelines to minimise chances of purchasing fake seed:
- Buy your seeds only from licensed seed stockists or shops.
- All genuine seeds have company tags and inspection labels.
- Buy your seed early enough.
- Always ensure the seed you are buying has not expired.
- Some stockists who buy large quantities may continue selling carry-over stocks remaining from previous years and such seeds do not grow well when planted and may fail to germinate.
- Do not be deceived by prices. Fake seeds most of the time are offered at a cheaper price to entice farmers to buy.
- All seed should be well stored preferably in a cool and dry place.
- Choose the right seed variety for your region to get high maize yields which enhances your income and boosts food security.
- Appropriate knowledge of the right seeds for the various climatic regions is essential.
- It is important for farmers to seek advice from extension officers, agricultural or research institutions before buying any maize seed.
What are the trends like in counterfeit seed in Zimbabwe?
The number of recorded counterfeit seed cases in the country has been decreasing due to concerted efforts by seed companies to tighten labelling and support police operations to eradicate the peddling of seed.
The figures fell slightly to 45 in 2021 from a peak of 52 in 2016, the African Seed Access Index (TASAI) Zimbabwe country study showed.
TASAI is a tool that monitors indicators that are essential to seed sector development at national level. In the 2020-21 agricultural season, a total of 51 cases of counterfeit seed on sale were recorded leading to the recovery of about 138 tonnes.
The number of cases decreased to 47 and 117,5 tonnes being recovered in 2021-22, followed by 40 cases and 74 tonnes worth of recoveries in 2022-23.
The 2023-24 season recorded 35 cases with at least 35 tonnes being recovered. The statistics come from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) operations supported by Seed Co Limited (Seed Co).
“It has come to our attention that some unscrupulous informal traders and hardware stores are selling counterfeit seed branded with reputable companies’ logos at lower prices compared to original certified seed from authorised dealers,” National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in a statement last season.
“This malicious practice not only causes financial losses to farmers, but also jeopardises food security and the agricultural sector in the country.”
Does Zimbabwe have a seed inspection and certification system?
Yes, it does. It has the Seed Services, an institute mandated for seed certification, variety release and variety protection. It is a unit within the Research Services Division of the Department of Agricultural Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) of the Agriculture ministry, responsible for administration of Seeds Act [Chapter 19:13] of 1971, Seeds Regulations and Seeds (Certification Scheme) Notice 2000, and Plant Breeders’ Act [Chapter 18:16].
What happens to those who are caught peddling counterfeit seeds?
Those caught by the police selling counterfeit maize seed are often charged with violating the Seed Act [Chapter 19:13].
This ensures that legal action is taken against individuals, syndicates and traders found guilty of such offences.
Seed producers bemoan that the penalties for those found guilty of flouting the Seed Act were too lenient and there was need for tougher and deterrent laws.
For example, a person found guilty of selling counterfeit seed only pays a fine of between ZiG650 and ZiG1 000.
What is the impact of counterfeit seed on the livelihoods of farmers?
This brings a huge cost for farmers, who can see harvests slashed, their families go hungry and bank loans remain unpaid if they are tricked. TASAI says counterfeit seed affects the business viability of both farmers and seed companies.
“Stock theft has more stringent laws compared to counterfeit seed crimes. One count of stock theft has a seven or eight-year jail term. There is a need for more stringent laws to fight the peddling of fake seed on the Zimbabwean market,” said Dr Patience Nyakanda, a member of the research team at the launch of the 2022 TASAI Zimbabwe report.
