Production and distribution of quality seeds are insufficient compared to the demand by the public.

The opening of the seed policy formulation three-day workshop followed by the launch of the seed guideline book took place on Tuesday at the Novotel Nadi.

The improvement of key services to the agriculture project of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to address the needs of the mproved varieties and quality seed is considered to be the basic input for increasing agricultural output leading to self-sufficiency in food. The project is funded by the European Union together with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The guideline will provide advice on how to increase production of improved seeds.

In addition the Ministry of Agriculture prepared a draft National Seed Policy that provides policy directives to increase production of improved seed both in the public and private sectors. European Union co-ordination unit team leader Michael Parker said it was important to think globally and act locally.

“It’s important that you have integration between all aspects in the industry and each of them is in contact with each other,” he said.

“The whole reason behind this workshop and the launching is to use the opportunity to integrate the view of the seed industry and to look at the roles and responsibilities of the different players of both sectors.”

SPC’s Land Resources Division acting deputy director Sairusi Bulai said the seed policy formulation was a timely intervention.

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