Purpose & Mission

Seed is a key agricultural input that supports all human life. High-quality seed is used to improve crop production and ensure food security. It is also a preferred tool for re-establishing the livelihoods of farmers affected by disasters and return them to a life in dignity – independent of handouts. Access to quality seed also facilitates food resource diversification and prevents genetic erosion in rural agriculture.

It is for these reasons the SADC Secretariat and SADC Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) Directorate established the SADC Seed Centre.  The Centre’s mission is to facilitate seed trade between SADC Member States and ensure the supply of high-quality seed in the SADC region with a focus on food security and poverty alleviation.

It functions as key advisor to SADC in all areas of seed policy and seed availability in the region and assists in capacity-building. As the Centre gains new funding streams, it will eventually be able to provide important support to agencies engaged in the analysis of disasters and the delivery of emergency seed, and facilitate a better coordination of the supply of basic seed in the region.