General information
Seeds for general distribution in agricultural projects, following a survey by an agronomist.
Farmers’ livelihoods are greatly dependent on the quality of the seeds. Therefore, quality always takes precedence over price.
Agriculture is the art of plant domestication. Domestication consists in the continuous selection of the parents of next generation seed. The main component of seed quality is its genetic inheritance - this determines its value as an agricultural input, including suitability to specific environments and culinary cultures, yield and nutrition potentials, resistance to pest and diseases, tolerance to extreme climatic factors, etc. Varieties differ in the expression of these characteristics.
The seed carries the embryo of a plant. For a given crop, all seed may look the same, the varietal (genetic) identity of a seed cannot be verified on the basis of seed itself (unless we use molecular analytical techniques). The seed genetic identity can only be verified by observation either of the parents or of the adult plant. The only way of verifying seed genetic quality in the market is by reading and trusting the label on the package. This peculiarity explains the strict regulations governing seed markets with compulsory quality assurance schemes (seed certification).
- Seed market regulations affect the main agricultural/ horticultural crops for which, in most countries, for the regulated crops, all seed in the market has to be certified by the National Seed Authority.
- For regulated crops, only approved and registered varieties can be offered for sale. National Seed Authorities keep a Catalogue of these varieties.
- For regulated crops, only approved and registered seed producers and traders can operate within the country. National Seed Authorities manage the corresponding licenses.
- National Seed Authorities designate variety “maintainers”. This term refers to the person or institution in charge of maintaining the genetic integrity of the variety. The seed involved in this process is known as “breeder seed” or “maintainer seed” in English, and “semence de souche” or “semence de mainteneur” in French. The last generation produced by or under the maintainer to be used by commercial seed producers is known as “basic seed” or “foundation seed” in English and “semence de base” in French.
- Seed regulations specify how many generations are allowed between breeder seed and the commercial seed sold to farmers. Depending on this number of generations the seed is sold as a specific seed class. The most common commercial seed classes are C1 or R1 (certified seed first generation), C2 or R2 (certified seed second generation), R3 (in some countries) and QDS (quality declared seed).
- Seed market regulations establish compulsory seed quality standards. These standards include genetic and sanitary features of the seed crop (isolation, genetic purity, seed borne pests and diseases) and physical, physiological and sanitary standards for the commercial seed (physical purity, moisture content, germination capacity and absence of regulated seed borne pests and diseases).
- Regional Economic Communities as ECOWAS, SADC, COMESA, CEMAC, EU publish common variety catalogues and harmonized seed regulations to facilitate seed trade among members. Member countries’ seed regulations are closely aligned to the regional ones.
Capacity to implement seed quality assurance regulations varies between countries and even between same country regions. It is important to verify (enquiring National Seed Authority, seed producers associations, etc), for the required varieties, that technically sound seed crop field inspection and seed testing are available. When not available, both may have to be supported to ensure the provision of the services.
Together with genealogical control, field inspection is the most critical point in the control of seed quality. In situations where certification systems are weak, it may be necessary to plan/procure one season in advance and verify that, during field inspection, proper descriptions of variety and seed borne disease are available for the removal of off-type plants and those affected by seed borne diseases.
Seed delivery:
- Seeds have a short time validity; request only the seed you are going to deliver for the coming agricultural season.
- Ensure farmers are notified in a timely manner so that they can prepare their fields according to the seasonal calendar.
- Ensure the timely delivery of seeds before the beginning of sowing season; however, avoid deliveries that arrive too far ahead of the planting season as the seeds could be eaten.
- Consider the distribution of a food ration or cash to prevent the seeds from being eaten.
- When, following agronomist advise, seed treated with pesticides is delivered, access to adequate PPE (gloves) has to be ensured and instructions on seed handling, storage and disposal of treated seed and packaging provided.
Specifications
Contact National Seed Authority on:
- official seed standards (field and laboratory)
- list of varieties recommended for agroecological areas
For advice, contact ICRC seed procurement manager based at Douala Regional Logistic Hub.
Specifications for regulated crops
|
Varieties |
EITHER Name of varieties OR restricted set of characteristics
(registered in national catalogue, open pollinated*, non-GMO, non-hybrid** and adapted to target area and beneficiaries’ demand) |
|
Seed classes |
as per certified seed availability in regulations and market |
|
Area of production |
In the case of landraces/traditional varieties |
|
Varietal purity
(minimum %) |
as per National Seed Regulations for the crop and seed class |
|
Pure seed
(minimum %) |
|
Moisture content)
(maximum %) |
|
Germination
(minimum %) |
|
Weeds, pest and diseases
(List of, exempt) |
|
Label |
As per national/regional regulations |
*for sexually reproduced crops, to allow safe further use of farm-saved seed
**under specific circumstances justifying it, and following Ecosec Regional Agronomist approval, hybrid seed can be procured and distributed
Specifications for non-regulated crops or emergency seed exception
|
Varieties |
EITHER Name of varieties OR restricted set of characteristics
(open pollinated*, non-GMO, non-hybrid** and adapted to target area and beneficiaries demand) |
|
Area of production |
only in the case of landraces |
|
Varietal purity
(minimum %) |
as per FAO QDS scheme for the crop |
|
Pure seed
(minimum %) |
|
Moisture content)
(maximum %) |
|
Germination
(minimum %) |
|
Weeds, pest and diseases
(List of, exempt) |
|
Label
(information) |
crop species, variety, seed lot reference (if available), name of the seed producer; germination percentage, physical purity percentage, net weight, date of test. |
*for sexually reproduced crops, to allow safe further use of farm-saved seed
**under specific circumstances justifying it, and following Ecosec Regional Agronomist approval, hybrid seed can be procured and distributed
Specifications for treated seed
Applies to all crops and seed classes
|
- Only pesticides authorized for seed treatment both in the EU (EU – Pesticides database) and in the country of distribution of the seed
- CAUTION statement label in seed package stating “not for food, feed or oil” indicating the name of the active substance
- Treated seed has to be colored with an unnatural color that clearly distinguish them from untreated grain |
Packaging specification
- Weight of containers
- Packaging type
- Special logos and identification if required
Required Documentation
|
Required Documentation |
Local production |
Import |
|
Registration with National Seed Authority |
X |
X |
|
Seed lot certificates from National Seed Authority with assigned tags sequential numbers |
X |
|
|
National Seed Authority import authorization for delivered seed |
|
X |
|
Phytosanitary Certificate |
|
X |
|
Customs clearance documentation |
|
X |
|
Number of packages per seed lot (in delivery note or packing list) |
X |
X |
Required sampling for quality testing
- Local production: On delivery if the lot official sampling was done before final packaging and sealing.
- Import: If not sampled and tested by National Seed Authority on recent import.
Seed Standards reference regulations
For the list of available seed and seedling codes, and standard descriptions in English and French, please open file “Specifications.pdf” below.
Latest update: 01/03/2021