EAA partners with private seed companies to pilot variety testing for registration

It is well known that a significant development in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector happened with the ratification of the new seed law, Proclamation 1288/2023. This law brings about three variety registration systems, marking a pivotal shift by allowing private companies to directly participate in the variety testing for registration.

Under Article 4 of the variety release and registration, applicants are now empowered to conduct variety performance or adaptation trials, variety description trials, or both. This is followed by evaluation by the National Variety Evaluation Committee and final approval by the National Variety Release Committee. This progressive approach opens doors for private seed companies to actively engage in the registration of crop varieties, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the sector.

In line with this groundbreaking provision, ENSP in collaboration with EAA, is set to pilot the involvement of private seed companies in variety adaptation trials. This initiative holds immense significance, as it presents a new and valuable learning opportunity for the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority.

Four private seed companies, namely Nunhems, GAWIT International Business Plc, Greenlife, and Markos PLC, have been selected to undertake variety adaptation trials for the registration of selected vegetable crops. Their selection is based on their technical capacity, experience in variety registration, and reputation within the industry.

The selected crops for this pilot initiative are tomato, onion, and pepper, with each company assigned to conduct the adaptation trial for one crop. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed among the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Seed Companies, and SWR/ENSP sets the stage for this progressive collaboration.

An orientation meeting was organized for the private seed companies on January 18, 2024, at the SWR office. The objective of this meeting was to familiarize the companies with the processes and technical procedures involved in conducting vegetable variety adaptation trials for registration. Representatives from the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, private vegetable seed companies, GIZ/SSAP, and ENSP actively participated in this half-day session.

The meeting addressed past challenges in variety registration, emphasizing the need for improved trial management and cost efficiency. A comprehensive presentation by a representative from the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority outlined the expected procedures and practices during the adaptation trial. This included crucial aspects such as standard checks, application procedures, site requirements, evaluation timelines, and report writing formats. The interactive session allowed representatives from the companies to seek clarification on various matters, ensuring a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

This orientation meeting signifies a pivotal step in piloting variety testing for registration by private seed companies in Ethiopia. The anticipated benefits extend not only to the participating companies but also to the enhancement of the overall variety registration process in the country. The collaborative efforts between public and private entities pave the way for a more dynamic and inclusive approach towards variety registration. This pilot initiative holds promise for driving sustainable growth and innovation within Ethiopia’s seed sector.