The appeal was made on Monday at the AU Ministerial Seed Summit in Ezulwini, eSwatini, as farmers confront droughts, floods, land degradation, emerging pests and rising food demand.
Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Deputy Director for Crop Research and Protection Julia Nambili delivered the statement on behalf of the Bureau of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment. “Seed is the foundation of agricultural production,” the Bureau said.
“It determines productivity, resilience, nutritional outcomes and the ability of farmers to respond to changing climatic conditions.”
The Bureau said strong seed systems were essential for meeting commitments under Agenda 2063 and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Kampala Declaration.
However, millions of farmers still depend on informal systems because certified seeds remain unaffordable or inaccessible.
Weak production and distribution networks, limited investment in plant breeding and research, inadequate quality controls and poor implementation of regulations continue constraining the sector.
Climate change has also increased demand for crop varieties capable of withstanding drought, heat and pests.
The AU said national governments should strengthen agricultural research institutions, seed-certification services, breeding programmes and extension systems.
Private companies should support innovation, seed multiplication, processing, distribution and marketing through stronger partnerships with governments and research institutions.
Women, young people and smallholder farmers should remain central to seed-sector reforms, while formal systems should complement farmer-managed approaches that support biodiversity and community resilience.
The Bureau also called for harmonised seed policies and greater integration of African markets. “Facilitating the movement of quality seed across borders can significantly improve farmers’ access to improved varieties while stimulating investment, innovation and intra-African trade,” the statement said.
Namibia said national investments were supporting crop research and the development of seed varieties adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions.
The Bureau welcomed discussions on the Ezulwini Declaration on Africa’s Seed Systems, which is intended to strengthen political commitment and mobilise investment.
“The true test of our success will not be the declarations adopted at this Summit, but the extent to which farmers across Africa gain greater access to quality seed, improved technologies and sustainable livelihood opportunities,” the Bureau said.
–ChannelAfrica–
