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Momodou
Denmark
11681 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 18:52:11
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Seed Policy In The Offing
By Amie Sanneh
The Secretary of State for Agriculture, Kanja Sanneh, has said The Gambia has been battled with challenges posed by food insecurity in recent times. This he said threatens many of the communities. The SoS was speaking on Monday at the Paradise Suites Hotel during the opening ceremony of a one-day forum on the validation of the draft National Seed Policy.
Although, he added there have been national causes of food insufficiency, the major part of the situation can be traced to serious shortcomings that exist in crop production capabilities.
SoS Sanneh said varied interventions are required to address these shortcomings.
“The provision of high quality seeds of the key crops that suits the varying agro-ecologies of nations is the most crucial intervention,” he said.This he noted demands concerted efforts at enhancing the development of the seed in all its components.
SoS Sanneh said modern Science and Technology has brought immense benefits to the seed sector by allowing the potential impact of seed on food production to be more pronounced than before. “In Africa, we seem not to have been able to take full advantage of the recent advances in seed sector development,” he said.
The SoS explained that inadequate supply of quality seed, lack of access to improved germplasm, inadequate implementation of seed policies, international agreements and conventions is a result of weak seed production and distribution.
The Secretary of State for Agriculture described seed as a crucial and critical element in the livelihood of agricultural communities.
He said without seed, there could be no agriculture. He said if efforts towards food security are to remain credible, there needs to be strong seed security.
He added that food security is so heavily dependent on seed security.
SoS Sanneh remarked that when seed is of required quality, the potential benefits could be enormous. This he noted will enhance productivity as well as income and drought tolerance.
Commenting on the policy, he said a seed policy drafting taskforce has been set up.
SoS Sanneh posited that the policy must provide a well defined and stable framework for the development of an effective and sustainable seed sector. The policy he added should also create an environment fostering cooperation among all stakeholders and partners to ensure a comprehensive, balanced and orderly growth of the seed industry.
SoS Sanneh pointed out that one of the key steps in the creation through a national seed policy is the creation of an environment conducive for the orderly growth and comprehensive development of the seed industry.
He urged participants to discuss all the provisions in the policy and ensure that it is of utmost relevance to The Gambia.
The Agric Secretary of State noted that useful comments from the forum and an update draft will receive further clearance through circulation among major partners, cabinets colleagues etc will be formally adopted and published. He explained that International Development in the seed industry are dynamic. He noted that some present great opportunities for them while others place them at a disadvantage. The policy SoS Sanneh went on, should motivate and allow them to take advantage of the best opportunities in the wider world. He added that it will also guide them to develop the needed protection against negative trends which threatens us. The National Seed Policy is expected to come into effect as of 1st April 2008. The tenets of the policy shall have long term application and shall continue in force indefinitely, until specifically modified under provisions of the policy.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 134/2007, 14 - 15 November, 2007
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