Project goal: to contribute to improved food security of smallholder farmers in the SADC region through increased availability of and access to improved seeds.

• A major constraint to agricultural productivity and food security in SADC is an inadequate supply of high quality seed due to climatic, economic and social factors.
• In years of seed shortage member states need to import seeds from neighboring countries. However, this process can be complicated because laws and regulations are disjointed.
• The implementation of the SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System will make a significant difference

Project objectives:

• Seed variety release policies in the target countries aligned with SADC Protocols
• Phytosanitary policies in the target countries aligned with SADC Protocols
• Seed certification policies in the target countries aligned with SADC Proto-cols
• Measures to operationalize the re-aligned policies introduced and related capacity of government, civil service and other key stakeholders strength-ened
• Seed certification facilities strengthened and successfully functioning in the four focal countries