MLN-free seed production and movement in Africa: Private sector perspective

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This document discusses challenges facing the private seed sector in Africa regarding maize lethal necrosis (MLN) from the perspective of companies. It raises several unanswered questions about MLN-free seed production and movement. Specifically, it outlines issues like the lack of knowledge about MLN, the increased costs of production to control MLN, and the riskiness of seed production given the chance of MLN outbreaks. It also questions the effectiveness and affordability of MLN control measures on a large commercial scale.

Science

Companies perspective
Godfrey Katwere
NASECO (1996) Ltd
MLN-free seed production and movement
in Africa: Private sector perspective

TOO MANY QUESTIONS
UNANSWERED:
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??
?
?
?
? ??
???
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?
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MLN-free seed production and movement in Africa: Private sector perspective
Companies perspective

TOO MANY QUESTIONS
UNANSWERED:
? ?????
??
?
?
?
? ??
???
?
?
?
?
??
?
MLN-free seed production and movement in Africa: Private sector perspective
Companies perspective
Where are the answers?

Status Uganda
• MLN is seen in mainly border provinces,
moving inland slowly
• Seems to be suppressed with high rainfall,
outbreaks under drought conditions
• Rare cases in seed production (Limited to
Kasese dry belt, and virus tests were negative,
but seed was discarded as preventive
measure)

MLN in seed production
Seed business =RIP2
Seed business in nature
is already complex

IF no
- Strategy
- $$ back bone
- Alternatives
- Well wishers

Second tradegy
In a very short time
Rest
In
Peace
GAME OVER

Alternative crops, are they an option?
• Beans
• Sorghum
• Wheat
• Millet
• Rice
• Soybean
• Sunflower
Other alternatives:
Fast track tolerant material?
Teach your customer?
Profitability?
Market potential?
Hybrids??

Levels of Resistance and MLN virus
occurrence in seed?
LEVEL OF RESISTANCE OCCURANCE MCMV
ALLOWED
SUSCEPTIBLE NOT ACCEPTED
LOW TOLERANCE ??
HIGH TOLERANCE ?????
RESISTANCE ?????????

• Knowledge on MLN
• More costly production (control measures, …)
• Production based on chance (Gambling) (will you
get MLN or not)
• Parent seed production?
• Regional trade, cross border seed trade
• Reduced sales? Losses? Closure?
Business future if maize is your leading
and profitable product

SEED PRODUCTION
How effective and cost efficient are the control measures on
larger production scale?
– How applicable are the measures? (spray every week cocktails?)
– How manageable are the measures
– Cost of the measures
• Large seed growers /Seed farm versus small scale growers?
What is better?:
– Better management
– Spray management
– Weed control
– Time management
After doing all possible, nothing says you will not have MLN?
And if MLN in field, who says it will be in the seed?

MLN FREE PARENTSEED?
• Irrigation water spread of MLN?
• Several bulking blocks at different planting
dates (so no early planting)
• Small lots, costly lab testing
• Over produce parent seed + massive carry
over stock?
• More planning needed

Regional trade
- Time to test seed, even for small lots
- Integrity (companies changing lots?)
- Contradicting results from various laboratories‘
- No clear guidelines/policies
- Post testing upon arrival, missing the planting seasons
- Finger pointing seed companies or
- Blacklisting/black mailing seed companies?
MLN: it’s not may but is a
trade barrier!

The Brussels Development Briefing n.45 on the subject of “Smart and Affordable farming solutions for Africa: the next driver for agricultural transformation” was held in Brussels at 09:00-13:00 on 13th July 2016 at the Albert Borschette Congress Center, Room 1.A (Rue Froissart 36, 1040 Brussels). This Briefing was organised by the ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), in collaboration with the European Commission, the the European Commission / DEVCO, the ACP Secretariat, CONCORD, CEMA, Agricord and the PanAfrican Farmer’s Organisation (PAFO).

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