Briefing Paper

Ensuring the Sustainable Availability of Affordable Quality Seeds & Planting Materials in Uganda

This study aimed to examine the potential of Uganda’s draft national seed policy, major seed legislation and the key public sector seed establishments in as far as ensuring the sustainable availability and accessibility of affordable quality seed and planting materials is concerned. With the exception of Uganda’s major seed legislation, serious loopholes, gaps and challenges are indicated in the draft national seed policy and the public sector seed establishments that need to be urgently addressed. The major issue with the Seeds and Plant Act 2006 (which is Uganda’s major seed legislation) is the lack of relevant regulations and guidelines to ensure its effective implementation. Based on the findings, the study has made several recommendations which if adopted and effectively implemented can go a long way in ensuring the sustainable availability and accessibility of affordable quality seed and planting materials in Uganda. In addition to the recommended proposals to improve the draft national seed policy and the seed legislation, Government should enable the designated public sector seed institutions to carry out their mandate more efficiently, effectively and in time through human capacity development, seed infrastructure development and adequate public funding arrangements.