Swaziland,  Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The Harmonized Seed Security Project (HaSSP) made significant strides in strengthening seed systems in Southern Africa, contributing to the domestication and implementation of the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System.

• Regional Policy Milestone Achieved:
  The project supported high-level policy engagement, culminating in the formal approval of the protocol for the harmonization of seed policies by SADC Ministers of Agriculture. This endorsement provided the necessary political backing for regional integration in seed systems.
• Project Launch and Strategic Positioning:
  HaSSP was officially launched in Pretoria, establishing a collaborative platform for aligning national seed systems with regional protocols and standards.
• Capacity Strengthening in Monitoring and Evaluation:
  Training workshops were conducted to build partners’ knowledge of M&E concepts relevant to HaSSP. These sessions enhanced the ability of national teams to monitor project progress and outcomes effectively.
• Technical Training on Seed Variety Evaluation:
  Training on Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability (DUS) and Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) testing was carried out to improve the skills of stakeholders in managing variety trials, data analysis, and reporting, with a specific focus on maize.
• Seed Certification Audit Conducted:
  An audit of seed certification systems, procedures, and personnel in the pilot countries identified capacity gaps and informed targeted interventions to enhance the quality and reliability of seed certification services.
• Strengthening of Variety Release Systems:
  A regional workshop facilitated knowledge exchange between national seed units from different countries, fostering alignment and peer learning in seed variety release processes.
• Assessment of Phytosanitary Capacity:
  A regional evaluation was conducted to assess phytosanitary systems, revealing institutional gaps and informing strategies for building resilient quarantine and plant health services across the pilot countries.
• Development of Seed Certification Work Plans:
  A seed certification workshop convened national authorities and technical experts to design implementation plans for domestication of the SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance Protocol.
• Showcasing Results through Farmer Field Days:
  Smallholder farmers engaged in action research produced significant quantities of maize, beans, and groundnuts. Yield improvements of up to 25% were recorded, and the legume seeds were rapidly marketed due to high demand. Maize seed produced was integrated into a national input subsidy program, enhancing farmer access.
• Procurement of Seed Inspection Vehicles:
  Seed certification agencies in the pilot countries acquired utility vehicles to improve their ability to carry out timely and effective seed inspections.
• Support for Community Seed Enterprises:
  HaSSP facilitated the procurement of small-scale seed processing equipment and storage infrastructure, empowering local seed enterprises led by smallholder farmers.
• Operationalization of a Unified M&E Framework:
  A regional workshop was held to harmonize monitoring efforts across countries, leading to the implementation of a standardized M&E framework for the project.
• Improved Understanding of Plant Variety Protection (PVP):
  Stakeholders participated in a workshop that provided clarity on PVP principles, helping countries align their policies with regional and international intellectual property standards.
• Policy Influence Beyond Pilot Countries:
  As a direct result of HaSSP’s advocacy and technical support, the Government of Mozambique expressed formal interest in adopting and implementing the SADC harmonized seed system—demonstrating the project’s broader regional influence.