The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), is participating in the 2026 Zambia Seed Trade Association Congress in Livingstone, Zambia, where regional and national seed companies have convened to shape the future of the seed industry in Zambia.
The Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Mulongoti, officiating as guest of honor, highlighted the seed sector as a Foundation of sustainable agricultural productivity and increased global trade in agriculture, translating to opportunities for economic growth, investment, and food security.
The Ps reaffirmed governments' commitment to supporting enabling policy environments and regulatory standards for an innovative, competitive, resilient seed sector.
In a high-level panel discussion on the COMESA Seed Harmonisation Implementation Programme (COMSHIP), which fosters standardisation of seed laws and regulatory frameworks across COMESA’s 21 Member States, the ACTESA Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Mukuka, highlighted the COMSHIP initiative as crucial to driving the reduction of regulatory seed fragmentation that has historically constrained regional seed production, access to improved seed varieties and enhanced regional seed trade.
Together with other speakers, Mr Christopher Simuntala of the National Biosafety Authority; Mr. Musa Muyatwa of Bayer Zambia; and Mr. Ndavi Muia of Advanta Seeds highlighted; ✅ Seed counterfeiting as a key threat to agricultural productivity and food security across the region.
✅ Certification and harmonisation of seed trade laws as crucial to advancing intra-agriculture trade and food security.
✅ Leveraging technologies, innovation, and strategic partnerships to mitigate the effects of climate change for enhanced resilience.
✅ The seed sector as an engine for driving economic growth.
The highly engaging session demonstrated that advancing seed production requires concerted collaborations from stakeholders in the public and private sectors to foster enhanced agricultural production and productivity.
On the sidelines of the session, ACTESA Agri-business and Policy Advisor Mr John Chambamakasa highlighted the COMESA Seed Information System as a crucial digital platform to improve the collection, management, and accessibility of seed information among the COMESA Member States.
As the region works towards sustainable seed production, it's more prominent that seed production is not simply an agricultural issue; it's fundamental to peace, stability, job creation, and economic resilience. Held under the theme; Sustainable, Resilient and Viable Seed Industry, Enhancing National Prosperity Through Local and Transboundary Trade”, this year's congress brings together a wide spectrum of leaders, innovators, researchers, policymakers, development partners, and industry experts from across the agricultural and seed sectors.
