Discussion Paper: Seed Technology

Government views hybrid and genetically engineered seeds as crucial tools for addressing current and future global food security challenges. Countries have the option to choose which technologies to adopt, but science-based information about seeds and seed systems is sometimes lacking, hindering evidence-based decision-making. This issue is particularly relevant in Feed the Future countries, especially in Africa. East Africa is considered a region with significant potential for utilizing genetically engineered (GE) technologies through more formalized cooperation. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa have existing programs and activities related to GE and hybrids, including capacity building, scientist exchanges, outreach and communications activities, and development of new crop varieties. Private industry also has existing programs, including outreach activities through CropLife International, information exchange through local dealers, and GE research projects such as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project and the Improved Maize for African Soils (IMAS) project. Uganda is one of the East African leaders in biotechnology, with many technologies in the pipeline, including virus-resistant cassava, biofortified banana, and Bt Cotton. Kenya has recently approved its implementing regulations for GE cultivation/import, but significant challenges are still anticipated as new technologies that can benefit small holders move through the nascent system. Tanzania has comparatively fewer research activities, but maize is a focus value chain under the Feed the Future program, and cooperation in Tanzania will be needed to strengthen the evaluation and knowledge base regarding GE if Tanzanian producers are to consider knowledgeably the potential benefits of biotech maize production. Farmers in some African countries have difficulty accessing quality hybrid seed, and public/private partnerships could be very helpful in ensuring that local farmers are able to obtain viable, high-quality corn hybrids that they desire to grow. East Africa makes sense as an area of focus to increase hybrid utilization because many of the Feed the Future programs in the region have identified maize as one of their focus value chains, and maize is an area where the private sector has significant value to bring in the form of hybrids. Several potential partnership focus areas have been identified, including mentorships, product developer exchanges, enabling technology through policy, and faculty exchanges. Mentorships could involve private-sector plant biotech companies acting as mentors and consultants to African public-sector product developers, providing guidance on topics such as good practices in conducting confined field trials, techniques to evaluate varietal performance, and product lifecycle stewardship. Product developer exchanges could involve formalized programs of exchanges between private-sector companies and African public-sector product developers, providing exposure to the real-life process and creating a network of knowledgeable individuals. Enabling technology through policy involves providing feedback to host country governments on the implications of draft laws, such as biosafety and varietal registration. Faculty exchanges could involve private-sector representatives giving university short courses in developing countries on key emerging technologies, such as GE seeds and hybrids. Current efforts in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have been documented, and key questions for discussion have been identified, including the countries best positioned to take advantage of available seed improvement technologies, the role of the private sector in supporting evaluation and utilization of GE and hybrid technologies, and the entry points for the U.S. government to assist private-sector seed dealers in supporting utilization of improved seeds.