Harmonized Seed Security (HaSSP): Capacity strengthening of all actors involved in the seed value chain

The participants during a HaSSP field day in Zambia 26/04/2011

Harmonized Seed Security (HaSSP)This pilot project for SADC is implemented by the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) in four SADC Member States. It seeks to provide an enabling environment to domesticate the regional seed protocol, harmonize seed policies and legislation and implement the provisions of the protocol with enhanced national capacities. The four pilot countries are: Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.


What was the need for the project? 
A major constraint to agricultural productivity and food security in SADC is an inadequate supply of high quality seed due to climatic, economic and human factors. In years of seed shortage member states need to import seeds from neighbouring countries. 


However, this process can be complicated because laws and regulations are disjointed. The implementation of the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System will make a significant difference to the region, culminating in a larger SADC market for seed. On February 2010, SADC ministers of agriculture approved the protocol for regional harmonization of seed policies. 

The Donor: 
The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) from January 2010 to December 2013. 

FANRPAN makes use of the following instruments to achieve this goal:

• Policy dialogue platforms
• Policy research and advocacy
• Provision of technical assistance to review national policy and legislation on seed
• Capacity strengthening of key institutions and individuals involved in critical stages of the seed value chain
• Monitoring and evaluation