SADC SEED CENTRE

TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

SADC SEED CENTRE

TOWARDS A COMMON FUTURE

Benefits of Seed Variety Registration

An important component of the SADC Seed Variety Release system is the establishment and maintenance of the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue, which is maintained by the SADC Seed Centre and open to the public. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), under its Harmonized Seed Regulatory System, established this regional seed catalogue and database in 2014 to serve as a central repository and registry for improved, high-quality seed.  The catalogue contains seed varieties that meet the regional standards and are approved by the SADC Seed Committee.

Once on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue, registered seeds can be marketed and exported to any of the 16 SADC Member States by seed producers without additional testing or red tape. With support from USAID, the application process has been dramatically streamlined, and allows for release in two SADC countries.  Once approved by both countries, National Seed Authorities (NSA) can apply to the SADC Seed Centre for approval to the regional catalogue. This means that seed producers no longer need to register their seed at the national level in each SADC Member State, but can instead focus on two national markets to gain access to all 16. This gives seed companies greater access to more markets much faster.  Further, when registered, inspected, and packaged following the SADC standards for export, these seeds are also approved to bear the SADC seed label, ensuring a high-quality product and allowing for expedited border and customs checks, dramatically improving overall transit time.

Since 2016, there has been a concerted effort made to engage seed companies, helping to increase the number of seed varieties on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue ranging from maize, sorghum and wheat to beans, groundnuts Irish potatoes and cotton.  This has not only increased diversity of high-quality seed that can be traded within the SADC region, but also improves food security and nutrition, as well as economic growth.

Following are a list of specific benefits for national governments and seed producers:

National Governments

  1. Produce Regionally Graded Seed for Trade: Seed companies can deliver high-quality services and products that are at a caliber worthy of regional trade, giving your country the opportunity to produce and export seed to other nations.
  2. Import Seed with Confidence: Your country may import high-quality seed with confidence from other SADC members.
  3. Create Regional Food Security and Jobs: Increase the production of high-quality seed leading to increased food and seed security and create local jobs.
  4. Attract New Seed Producers: Your country’s climate, especially if conducive to year-round planting, may attract other producers, which means more seed can be produced locally and beyond.
  5. Gain Access to Improved Varieties: Your country and/or company may produce seed varieties listed on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue.


Seed Producers

  1. Produce Regionally Graded Seed for Trade: Seed companies gain technical know-how to produce and deliver high-quality services and products that are at a caliber worthy of regional trade, giving companies the opportunity to produce and export seed to other nations.
  2. Gain Access to All 16 Markets: Through the SADC Seed Variety Registration and Release System, seed companies can gain access to all 16 markets once a variety is approved on the SADC Seed Variety Catalogue.
  3. Earn More: Seed companies can earn more through increased yields, increased seed crop values, and foreign exchange (forex).
  1. Export and Expand: Seed companies may produce and export seed, as well as expand seed production and the number of varieties for export.
  1. Engage and Share: Seed companies may engage with an international forum to exchange strategies and best practices to improve agriculture products.


Watch the videos below to learn more about the benefits of the SADC HSRS.

Get Involved

SADC Member States can align their national seed policies with the SADC HSRS.

Learn How

Seed producers can register improved seed varieties through a streamlined application process.

Learn More

Need market information? Discover which nations will have seed surpluses and deficits this season.

Learn More