Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos has called on African nations to prioritise seed sovereignty as the foundation of the continent’s food security, warning that dependence on imported seed undermines long-term agricultural resilience.
Speaking at the 4th African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference in Victoria Falls, Haritatos said Africa must move from being a consumer of improved seed varieties to becoming an innovator and exporter of them.
“You cannot have maize as a staple and still import maize seed,” he said. “Every country must build seed security around its strategic crops.”
He urged governments to scale up the Collaborative Breeding Leadership Program (CBLP) beyond seed production, turning it into a full agricultural innovation platform that links research, policy, and industry. The programme, launched just over a year ago, trains the next generation of African plant breeders and has already begun producing regionally adapted seed varieties.
Haritatos said Africa’s food systems remain vulnerable because the continent relies heavily on imported seed, fertiliser, and chemicals — key inputs that expose farmers to supply chain shocks and foreign exchange shortages. He argued that genuine transformation requires long-term investment in research and development, especially under intensifying climate stress.
“Breeding is a long-term investment with high risks,” he said. “But without it, there is no agricultural independence.”
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He described research and innovation as the “lubricant” of agricultural transformation and urged African governments to integrate science-based seed policy into their national development plans.
“This is not tomorrow’s problem; it’s yesterday’s. The urgency is now,” he said.
The Deputy Minister called for a shared continental vision on seed system development, backed by incentives that attract private and development partners to invest in breeding programmes. He added that climate change has made this more pressing, as farmers increasingly need varieties that can withstand heat, drought, and pests.
Haritatos praised the APBA and the CBLP for their work in nurturing leadership and capacity within Africa’s agricultural research ecosystem. “We must keep the momentum,” he said. “Our food security begins with strong policies, resilient seed systems, and bold leadership.”
The Victoria Falls conference brought together scientists, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders from across the continent to review progress in seed technology and discuss how to mainstream African-led innovation. Delegates agreed that reducing reliance on imported genetic material is central to achieving food sovereignty and ensuring sustainable productivity growth.
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