Public-Private-Producers Partnership for Strengthening Seed Certifcation in Afghanistan: Review of Seed Regulatory System in Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries

Yashpal Saharawat, Sayed Samiullah Hakimi, Faridullah Sherzad, Srinivas Tavva, Nigamananda Swain, Zewdie Bishaw, Abdoul Aziz Niane. (16/5/2017). Public-Private-Producers Partnership for Strengthening Seed Certifcation in Afghanistan: Review of Seed Regulatory System in Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries. Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Abstract

Seeds are most important input for agricultural production which carries important genetic information. However, the benefts of good crop varieties cannot be realized without the availability of seed to farmers at the right place, at the right time and at affordable price. Furthermore, good varieties for farmers need to be maintained under specifc conditions to produce good seeds for farmer use and thus to have sustainable quality agriculture production over the country. Formal seed sector started in Afghanistan Since 1970, but large scale organized seed production started in 1978 with establishment of Afghan Seed Company through support of Asian Development Bank. Since long back in Afghanistan main focus is mostly on wheat seed production and certifcation. In spite of this long history seed sector in Afghanistan has not developed as expected. This review was conducted to study different aspects of seed certifcation system of India, Pakistan, Turkey, Tanzania and European Union with the view of gaining in sight into their successes. Critical evaluation of seed certifcation system in these countries which represents both neighboring and developed countries is essential for the strengthening and development of applicable seed certifcation system in Afghanistan. The data considered in this review includes legal documents, research papers and other publications from reliable resources as well as minutes of specifc meetings and workshops conducted for this purpose.