FAO announces the establishment of a “pan-African network of seed testing laboratories” by the African Union and the African Seed Network. But there is lots in the press release I simply do not understand.
For one, the report focuses on the Forum for African Seed Testing (FAST), which will be “initially based in Nairobi”. Great, but that’s not quite a “network of seed testing laboratories”. At least, not yet.
The idea is “to speed up the harmonization of a continent-wide seed market in traditional and non-traditional crops”. Is a continent-wide market really the way to go to promote the diversity of non-traditional crops?
“The problem of poor seed quality has plagued African agriculture for years and has, in part, contributed to the failure of the green revolution in Africa,” said Robert G. Guei, Senior Officer with FAO’s Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department.
In part? How big a part, do you reckon?
Sorry for all the questions — I have others too — but I’m obviously having a little difficulty understanding the point of both FAST and the release announcing it.