Seed traders call for speedy passage of Regulation Bill

The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) has called on Parliament to expedite the passage of the Seed Regulation Bill.

According to the Association, this will prevent adulteration and help the private sector actors to provide quality seeds to Ghanaian farmers.

The Association also believes the passage of the regulation will guide the work of seed producers, processors, traders, agro-input dealers and research institutes.

National President, Thomas W. Havor made the call at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in Kumasi.

He said because the lack of regulation of the seed industry makes it difficult for the police to prosecute persons who deal in adulterated seeds.

“Now the Government is aiming at the private sector to go into the production of quality seeds for farmers. We have passed the seed law and the seed policy. To be able to let the seed law run, we need regulations, specific regulations and this is what we need to pass. And once we are able to do that, it will attract the a lot of private investment into the seed sector. The regulations will also control the promotion of fake seeds in the system”, he indicated.

A member of the Association, Ben Kemetse said seed production and everything about seed was technical and needed to be guided by laws and regulations.

“I believe strongly Parliament should take it as a priority. Just like they will take it for anything that is very important, they should take the seed regulation also as very important and then pass it as early as possible so that we can do the work easily in a free environment. It will make even more investment in the industry”.

Ghana needs National Seed Forecast
Mr. Havor called on Government to work closely with the NASTAG to carry out a national seed forecast to empower local seed producers in the supply of quality and certified seeds for the country.

He said the forecast would also afford the country the opportunity to know the quantity of seeds needed to enable the producers to produce sufficiently to cater for the needs of farmers.

He indicated that the country must focus on the efforts of local seed producers in the provision of quality and certified seeds which go a long way to stop the importation of seeds into the country.

The NASTAG President said there was the need for Government to partner the Private sector to identify the opportunities in the seed industry to enhance growth in the Agric sector.

Five-year strategic plan to boost seed production
The NASTAG as part of its objectives in its 2018-2022 strategic plan said it was committed to make Ghana the hub of quality and certified seeds.

The Association called on Government to make the unit in charge of quality assurance effective to enable the distribution of quality and certified seeds to local farmers.

NASTAG also pledged to improve communication between seed stakeholders in Ghana, West Africa, and the World by providing necessary seed industry information, such as a statistical database on Ghana seed production and trade.

The meeting which was under the theme ‘Sustaining Seed Sector Public-Private Dialogue and Value Chain Business Linkages,’ brought together individuals in the seed value chain

By: Hafiz Tijani/citinewsroom.com/Ghana

Source: citifmonline.com