Key Policy Provision Of The National Seed Policy OfTIMOR LESTE

Key Policy Provision

Of

The National Seed Policy

Of

TIMOR LESTE

Introduction
Sr. Adalfredo do Rosario Ferreira,
DNPSE MAF

 

• Seed sector in Timor Leste

v  Predominance of seeds of local plant varieties

v  Over 80% seed contributed by informal seed systems (use and exchange of farm-saved seeds)

v  Seed exchange largely non-monetized

• Timor Leste’s net food deficit and imports food worth USD 25 million annually
• High dependence on seed import (rice and corn)

v  about 200 tons annually

• MAF-SOL program initiated in 2000 to increase access to improved seeds of major food crops

v  Evaluation to identify suitable crop varieties

v  10 new varieties of maize, rice, sweet potato, cassava and peanut released for cultivation

v  Support for formal and informal seed production

• Private sector almost non-existent and organized seed production and marketing lacking
• Seed Policy urgently needed to promote and regulate quality seed production and distribution

Approach used:

• Formation of National Seed Policy Working Group (NSPWG) to facilitate the drafting process
• NSPWG members representing MAF Officials, SOL Advisors and NGOs
• NSPWG jointly accountable for draft seed policy and responsible to facilitate adoption by the Govt
• Policy Advisor to assist in drafting the seed policy

Methods used:

• NSPWG meetings identifying policy issues and formulating policy provisions

v  Several meetings of NSPWG organized

v  Series of policy issues identified and discussed

v  Policy framework developed and policy provisions formulated

Methods used:

• Consultation with relevant stakeholders by the Policy Advisor at various levels

v  Consultation with MAF and SOL staffs

v  Consultation meeting with MAF-SOL staffs and Suco Chiefs in Manatuto on 2 August

v  Consultation with Community Seed Producers’ Group (CSPGs) in Liquica district on 10 Aug

v  Consultation with HASATIL NGO members

v  Written submission from HASATIL and Lao Hamutuk

                 

Methods used:

• Sharing of the meeting and consultation notes and draft policy framework to all

v  Sharing of meeting notes of NSPWG meetings

v  Notes of consultation meeting in Manatuto

v  Notes of visit and consultation with CSPGs of Liquica district

v  Sharing of first draft seed policy to NSPWG members and observers to provide comments

v  Presentation of first seed policy for wider sharing

Methods used:

• Sharing of Draft National Seed Policy with wider stakeholders for additional inputs and feedback

v  Sharing with district level GO, NGO, private agencies, farmers’ and other community organizations in 12 districts

v  Sharing with the academic community

v  National workshop for final consultation

Session 1

Sra. Herminia de Jesus Pinto,

HASATIL
 
 

The NSP has the following sections:

• 1.  Introduction
• 2.  Scope of the seed policy
• 3.  Objective of the seed policy
• 4.  Policy provisions (9 sub-sections)
• 1. Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources
• 2. Variety development
• 3. Registration and Protection of New Plant Varieties
• 4. Seed Production
• 5. Seed Standards and Quality Regulation
• 6. Seed Distribution and Marketing
• 7. Strengthening Domestic Seed Sector
• 8. Import and Export of Quality Seed
• 9. Implementation, Coordination and Monitoring of
•      seed policy

Introduction

• Importance of agriculture in Timor Leste
• State of agriculture, role of seed diversity and need for seed sovereignty and security
• Seed systems and need for quality seeds
• Need for National Seed Policy

Scope of the Seed Policy

• Seeds to cover sexually propagated seeds and all planting materials
• Seeds of all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and used for commercial purposes
• Includes local seeds as well as new plant varieties
• Include both informal and formal seed systems

Objectives of the Seed Policy

• National seed sovereignty as an overarching guiding principle
• Strengthen domestic seed sector to enhance seed security
• Ensure production and distribution of quality seeds to farmers
• Regulate production and distribution of quality seeds to facilitate good access to seeds

1. Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources(PGRs)

• Sovereign right over the its PGRs
• Measure for conservation and use of all PGRs
• Mechanisms for access and benefit sharing
• Incentives for the conservation of PGRs
• Registration of local PGRs
• Establishment of Community Seed Banks to promote conservation of PGRs

2. Variety Development

• Strengthen national capacity for breeding
• Participatory variety development, and use of local PGRs and farmer participation
• Engagement of private sector, NGOs and farmers in variety development
• Options for hybrid and GMO seeds: NO or regulated development and use

3. Registration and Protection of New Plant Varieties

• Mechanism for registration of new varieties
• Public notification of registered varieties and maintenance of database
• Sui generis for IPR protection on new plant varieties for commercial use
• Protection of Farmers’ Rights for save, use, exchange and sell in non-branded form
• Exemption for research, training and breeding

 Session 3

Remigio Laka Vieira

Farming Study Group (FSG)

 

4. Seed Production

• Government to ensure access to source seeds
• Engage private sector, NGOs and farmers in production of source seeds
• Three generation system of seed production
• System of certified and Truthfully labelled seeds
• Decentralized seed production and support for production in inaccessible and remote areas

4. Seed Production

• Support for production of seeds of local plant varieties, including NUS
• Advance seed planning and preparation of seed balance sheet
• Preparation of seed vulnerability map and early warning system
• National seed reserves and linkage with Community Seed Banks

5. Seed Standards and Quality Regulation

• Establish national seed quality standards
• Mechanisms for quality assurance and regulation
• Provision for engagement of private sector and NGOs to provide services of quality assurance
• Requirement for seed label with adequate information about seed quality
• Measures for quality regulation (inspection during production and marketing)

6. Seed Distribution and Marketing

• Engage and strengthen capacity of private sector in seed marketing
• Requirement for obtaining authorization for seed marketing of registered seeds
• Equal treatment to new and local seeds, except in special situations
• Provision of compulsory licencing
• Provision of adequate information and compensation for any losses
• Protection of Farmers’ Rights
• Contribution to National Biodiversity Fund

 

Session 3
     Sr. Buddhi Kunwar

Seeds of Life Advisor

7. Strengthen Domestic Seed Sector

• Access to source seeds for private sector and NGOs
• Support to private sector, NGOs and CSPGs in production and marketing of seeds
• Support to private sector, NGOs and CSPGs for establishment of infrastructure
• Access to easy financing and tax concessions

8. Import and Export of Quality Seed

• Provision for regulated import of seeds of kinds and varieties not produced in the country
• A number of provisions for quality regulations
• Scope for custom production of seeds for export
• Regulation of seed production for export to safeguard adequate supply of seed and food production in the country

9. Implementation, Coordination and Monitoring

• Establishment of National Seed Council (NSC)
• Adequate representation of stakeholders in NSC
• Functions of NSC
• Establishment of Committees of NSC
• Meeting and decision making of NSC
• National Seed Authentication Body (Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture and departments)
• Recognition of farmers’ groups
• Membership of relevant treaties and bodies

Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries	Chair
Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries	Member
National Director, Research & Special Services, MAF	Member
National Director, Agriculture & Community Development, MAF	Member
National Director, Forestry, MAF	Member
National Director, Quarantine & Biosecurity, MAF	Member
Representative from academic institution (Seed Expert)	Member
Representative, private seed producers and entrepreneurs -2	Member
Representative, NGOs working in agriculture	Member
Representative of local religious organization	Member
Representative of CSPGs (2, at least one women)	Member
National Director, Agriculture & Horticulture, MAF	Member Secretary