Reinvigorated in Mombasa, Kenya
After joining the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress 2021, ISF Secretary General shares his reflections about the seed sector in the continent in light of the recently-concluded UN Food Systems Summit 2021, held virtually on 23 September.
by Michael Keller
Africa’s seed supply was indeed under pressure due to COVID-19, but the reality is that Africa’s seed supply has been under permanent pressure. Just last week, at the virtual UN #FoodSystems Summit, the critical nature of seed security was mentioned by the President of Ghana.
Therefore, it was so reinvigorating and important for me to come to Mombasa, Kenya, and join the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress. It was a pleasure to meet again with colleagues from many African countries (I hope soon that even more people can join!) to review our priorities and reshape the engagement of the private sector in a challenging environment, where worsened hunger and the increasing impact of climate change are putting tremendous pressure on food production.
It is now that we need an enabling regulatory and business environment that will allow the private seed sector to contribute solutions towards resilient and sustainable agriculture in Africa. And I can say that I felt a lot of positive energy and a continuously increasing private sector involvement in several African countries.
During the last few weeks leading up to the #UNFSS, we heard plenty of times the importance of science, research, and development. It is clear that the private sector, among many other actors, has an important role to play to enable the many smallholder farmers here in Africa not only to decrease yield losses but to build a dynamic environment, where together, we can support the achievements of the SDGs in this continent so vast, diverse and full of potential.
Let’s engage and support the private seed sector in its substantial effort to contribute to the achievements of the SDGs. #
