Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) has been recognized as the lead national seed trade association within the COMESA region.
Actively involved in efforts to harmonize seed regulations across COMESA, Kenya aims to streamline processes and facilitate cross-border trade.
STAK Executive Officer Joyce Karanja said the association has supported the COMESA Seed Harmonization Implementation Plan (COMSHIP), which aims to accelerate the implementation of harmonized seed trade regulations at both national and regional levels.
Speaking during a two-day review regional meeting being attended by COMESA countries in Nairobi, Karanja noted the country's milestone as the lead in seed trade has seen other associations in the region learning from it COMESA member countries previously benchmarked Kenya's seed trade practices, particularly in areas like seed certification, quality control, and digital tracking systems, in order to improve regional seed trade, address issues like fake seed, and enhance food security. "We have several companies registering their varieties in the COMESA catalogue, and we are moving quality seed from Kenya to farmers across the region," she said.
