By Sadiq Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), has signed a Plant variety License with ten seed companies to enhance on the quality of seeds on market.
This brings the total number of licensed seed companies to twenty three (23) and some of the new seed companies on board include Variety Seed Company, Century Seed Company and Equator Seed Company among others.
The Director General National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Dr. Yona Baguma, asserts that signing a plant variety License with seed companies will enable the Agricultural research organization to trace the seed variety given to seed companies, and consequently ensure they supply quality seeds to farmers at national and regional levels.
Speaking to directors of seed companies on Thursday, 8th February, 2024 Dr. Yona Baguma asked company directors to invest in good infrastructures, and skilled people who understand the dynamics of seed varieties.
“You should construct reasonable infrastructures that help to invest in quality seeds. This will enable professionals to invest in better seed varieties. You should also invest in value chain to ensure multiplication of quality seed varieties.
“Have long term business plan to tap in greater market along regions. Think beyond national borders, and develop a mechanism of availing feedback to NARO.
“The licenses given to your seed companies meet international standards, and have a clear structural framework with no room for error, “Dr. Baguma stressed.
Dr. Baguma implored seed companies to ensure adequate supply of quality seeds to farmers adding that NARO is committed to investing in vibrant seed varieties that are competitive globally. He however, cautioned unlicensed seed companies that they risk legal action.
“Ensure timely supply of adequate quantity of good seed varieties to farmers. As NARO, we believe in availing right information to the general public.
“We shall deal with seed companies involved in supply of fake seeds, and those with no contract with NARO. The variety seeds given to your seed companies have been under observation for the last 10years. Therefore, you should remain focused and committed to ensure sustainability, “Dr. Baguma sounded the appeal.
The Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Technology promotion at NARO, Dr. Sadiq Kassim, asked the Ministry of Agriculture officials to scale up inspections to ensure supply of quality seeds to farmers.
“The agreement signed between NARO and seed companies is a remarkable one, and this will enable the sale of good amount of certified seeds. After realising their sales, seed companies are required to pay royalty to facilitate research processes, further bulking of early generating seeds, development of seed varieties and sustainable supply of quality seeds.
” We have variety of seeds in the regional catalogues whereby any seed varieties are sold within the region. So, it’s our competitiveness that will set our comparative advantage over other member states within COMESA. For instance, Uganda has a comparative advantage in most of the staple food crops and cash crops across the region, “Dr. Kassim explained.
The Senior Agricultural inspector at the Agriculture Ministry, Robert Socar Lakidi, urged seed companies to observe standards in the market by ensuring production of quality seeds that meet international standards.
“The right process has to be followed to ensure production of quality seeds. Ensure you have a clear seed process to ease traceability of good seed varieties. You should ensure seeds reach the farmers in good quality and should avoid messing them up, “Dr. Kassim made the call.
The Managing Director of Golden Bull LTD, one of the licensed seed companies, Mr. Swamy Babo, noted that licensing more seed companies comes at the right time when there is need to mainstream seed companies towards accessibility of quality seeds to farmers.
Mr. Emmanuel Mubangizi, the Agribusiness and seed Technology specialist, said most Ugandan seed companies are still young and require support to be nurtured in areas of seed Technology.
“Ugandan seed companies are still young, and need to be supported to grow. However, this needs support from government especially on seed technology,” he said before adding that there’s need to adhere to quality.
“Seed cleaners, grading, and drying is still a major challenge,” he said.
The chairperson of National Agricultural research organization (NARO), told owners of seed companies that amendments shall be made as need arises.
