Farmers and consumers alike can rest assured that the seed supply chain is serious about quality and safety. Dr Magdeleen Cilliers from the South African National Seed Organisation’s (SANSOR) shares that from meticulous research and development to rigorous trials and regulatory checks, every step is designed to ensure that only the best seeds make it to market.
Making sure that farmers get their hands on a wide variety of high-quality seeds is no overnight success. Did you know that creating a new seed variety can take up to 15 years? Yes, it is a lengthy and intricate process that involves trials, regulatory approvals, and several quality checks.
Dr Magdeleen Cilliers, policy and science manager at SANSOR, provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate process involved in seed supply, from initial research to final distribution.
“The process of ensuring seed availability is quite lengthy and complex,” Cilliers explains.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight. It begins with seed companies embarking on research and development to breed new varieties that address specific challenges faced by farmers, such as climate conditions and change, and increasing disease or pest pressures.”
The development of new seed varieties, even with the aid of modern technology, can span 12 to 15 years. This lengthy period shows that substantial investment and meticulous effort are required to bring a new variety to market.
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“Breeding new varieties is a significant undertaking that involves considerable time, input, and cost,” Cilliers notes.
“The process includes not only the breeding of varieties with high yields, but also extensive trials to ensure that these varieties are adapted to different regions and can meet the specific needs of various areas.”
The rigorous trial phase
Once a variety has been successfully bred, it undergoes a rigorous trial phase. Companies conduct trials to test the adaptability of the varieties to different environments in South Africa, Cilliers says. These trials help gather valuable data that can be used for marketing and further refinement of the varieties.
The regulatory framework plays a crucial role in ensuring that only quality seeds reach farmers. Before a seed variety can be sold, it must be listed on a variety list maintained by the department of agriculture.
“No seed can be sold without being on the variety list. This process is designed to protect farmers by ensuring that the seeds they receive are of good quality and will germinate properly,” Cilliers explains.
The regulatory process also involves plant breeders’ rights. Obtaining plant breeders’ rights for new varieties involves additional testing and can take between two to three years, Cilliers shares.
“This protection is essential because developing new varieties, especially those with genetic modifications, can be an expensive endeavour, often costing up to $150 million.”
Once a variety is approved and listed, the seed production phase begins. Companies start producing and multiplying the seeds to ensure they have enough for market distribution. Even after production, seeds go through stringent quality assurance checks to adhere to government regulations.
The seed supply chain is a critical component in ensuring the availability of quality seeds. Cilliers highlights the importance of each stage in the chain: “Every step in the seed supply chain is essential. If any step is skipped or compromised, it can affect the overall quality and availability of seeds.”
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The role of regulation
The regulations governing the seed industry are extensive and are in place to protect both farmers and consumers. South Africa’s seed industry is highly regulated, and for good reason. Legislation such as the Plant Improvement Act ensures that no seed is sold without being registered and tested for uniformity and stability.
“This act also mandates that the premises where seeds are bred and sold are registered and adhere to quality standards,” Cilliers says.
The Plant Breeders’ Rights Act further safeguards the interests of those investing in seed development.
“This act is crucial for protecting the intellectual property of new varieties. It ensures that the substantial investments made in developing new varieties, particularly those with genetic modifications, are protected. Without such protection, the incentive to innovate would be significantly diminished.”
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Intellectual property and impact on farmers
Regarding intellectual property (IP) and its impact on farmers, Cilliers clarifies that while farmers in South Africa can save and replant seeds from their own properties, there are restrictions on sharing these seeds with others.
“Farmers are allowed to save and replant seeds on their own land, but they cannot distribute these seeds to others. This restriction is important for ensuring that seed companies can recoup their investments and continue to innovate. Intellectual property rights, or plant breeders’ rights as we refer to them, are crucial for maintaining a competitive market and supporting ongoing research and development.”
Plant breeders must continuously breed to ensure varietes can handle climate change and an increase in disease pressure.
The future of seed technology
Looking to the future, Cilliers is enthusiastic about emerging technologies in seed technology.
“One of the most exciting advancements is gene editing,” she says. “Unlike traditional genetic modification, gene editing allows us to make precise changes to a plant’s own DNA. This technology has the potential to address specific challenges faced by farmers, such as improving resistance to diseases or enhancing shelf life for consumers.”
Cilliers also notes the potential impact of these technologies on agriculture. She predicts that gene editing is set to revolutionise the seed industry and agricultural practices.
“We are already seeing innovations like tomatoes edited to help control blood pressure, which demonstrates the potential for gene editing to create products that meet consumer demands while improving agricultural outcomes.”
As we look ahead, Cilliers says advancements in seed technology will play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of modern agriculture and enhancing the sustainability of our farming practices.
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