Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) is actively participating in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) seed variety catalogue to ensure regional access to improved varieties.

State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh said KEPHIS has also enhanced electronic certification and traceability systems for quality assurance.

In a speech read on his behalf by Director for Socio-Economic and Policy Development Alice Murage the during the regional progress review meeting on the implementation of the COMESA Seed Harmonisation Implementation Plan (COMSHIP), Dr Ronoh said agriculture continues to be the lifeline of regional economies that employs over 60 per cent of the population in most COMESA countries yet one of the greatest constraints to productivity is limited access to improved seed varieties.

“Today, we come together not to merely reflect but to reinvigorate our shared ambition of creating a seamless integrated seed system that allows farmers across COMESA member states to access high-quality, certified, and climate- resilient seed varieties,” said the PS.

According to Ronoh, the establishment of COMSHIP in 2014, and its coordination by Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) was intended to guide COMESA member states in fast-tracking the implementation of the harmonised framework for seed variety release, certification, and phytosanitary regulations.

“By providing a harmonised framework COMSHIP aims to facilitate cross-border seed trade, increase seed availability, and improve the performance and competitiveness of our agricultural systems,” he said.

The principal secretary recognised the instrumental role ACTESA plays in coordinating implementation, building member-states’ capacity and facilitating information exchange.

Ronoh highlighted that ACTESA has ensured that COMSHIP is a living tool, supporting national and regional seed markets adding that Kenya has embraced COMPSHIP and has consequently made significant strides to domesticate the framework and effect the roadmap leading to its implementation.

“Some of the milestones Kenya has made in implementing COMSHIP include alignment of national seed laws and regulations with COMESA’s seed trade harmonisation standards, supporting regional capacity building through the Centre of Phytosanitary Excellence and contributing to joint variety trials and mutual recognition protocols,” said the PS.

Ronoh disclosed that despite the progress, challenges persist and they include uneven levels of policy alignment across member states, insufficient public awareness on harmonized procedures leading to low adoption of the COMPSHIP framework by local seed companies, delays in mutual recognition of seed certification, and limited financing for harmonization efforts.

“This is why this progress review meeting is of such strategic importance. It allows us to reflect on these challenges while charting a path for accelerated implementation and impact,” Ronoh said.

The principal secretary said that the government of Kenya commits to strengthening National Implementation and continually aligning national seed policies and practices with COMESA regulations, and to fully operationalize the COMESA Variety Catalogue and mutual recognition mechanisms.

“We will invest in building the technical and regulatory capacity of institutions like KEPHIS, the National Plant Protection Organization, and seed companies to ensure compliance and competitiveness,” Ronoh said.

He added that Kenya is committed to creating an enabling environment for private sector players to thrive, especially in seed research, production, and distribution.

On digital innovation he said Kenya will scale up digital platforms for seed certification, inspection and farmer access, leveraging technologies such as mobile applications to enhance transparency and traceability.

“As host of several regional agriculture centres of excellence, Kenya is ready to lead joint trials, capacity building, and policy exchange in support of COMSHIP’s wider adoption,” he pointed out.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Joseph Ng’ang’a