Study on Authorization of Third Party Seed Certification Officers and Guidelines and Requirements for Authorization of Seed Certification Activities in Afghanistan

Abstract

Recently seed certification and quality seed production system is improving through coordination and contribution of public and private sector in Afghanistan. Majority of stakeholders such as ANSCU, ANNGO, PSEs and various international organizations “ICARDA, FAO, CIMMYT” is closely coordinated with SPCD/MAIL and ARIA/MAIL for the production of quality seed throughout the country. ICARDA is supporting SPCD/MAIL, PSEs and large scale farmers to encourage them for strengthening a standard and sustainable seed production and certification system in the country. EU funded seed certification project of ICARDA is working with SPCD/MAIL to improve quality seed production and certification system in the country since 2015. A major objective of this project is to work with SPCD on authorization of third party seed certification officers. However, it is clearly written in the “seed law” that authorized officers or body could carry out several activities of seed certification process. This will significantly improve quality seed production through participation of private sector in seed certification process This pilot session was conducted for below objectives: a) Improving technical capacity of fresh graduates of agriculture faculty in quality seed production and certification system b) Practical involvement of fresh graduates in quality seed production and seed certification practices in different agricultural zones of Afghanistan c) Evaluating performance of third-party seed certification officers to carry out field inspection, seed sampling and seed testing. d) Evaluating the opportunity of involving private sector in seed certification system. This study was designed and implemented in coordination with SPCD/MAIL and its results will be used for improving seed certification system in the country.