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It is my wish that
the seed industry will use its present strengths to grow
internationally, to maintain global quality standards, to
outreach into Africa, and to empower more South Africans to
become part of the mainstream seed business.
SANSOR
(the South African National Seed Organization) was formed in
1989 as a Secretariat with permanent personnel, by
amalgamation of the then existing trade and technical
associations. One of the founding associations had been in
operation since 1942. The SANSOR membership of some 100
comprises 61 full members, 28 associate members who are small
operators, research institutions and service providers, 7
affiliate members representing other technical and trade
associations, and 3 honorary life members.
The organization acts as representative
spokesbody for the industry, seed certification authority for
Government, and licensing agent for public varieties of seed
crops. Some 220 privately employed seed inspectors are used
under contract for certification functions. In addition, over
100 of these have been accredited by Government for assisting
in phytosanitary field inspections.
SANSOR is registered as a private,
non-profit Company. More details are available on its website
at
www.sansor.org.
My personal involvement as one of the
founding directors also extends to the following associations
:
AFSTA
(African Seed Trade Association) founded by stakeholders in
March, 2000. Its mission is to represent the African seed
trade continentally and internationally. Objectives include
promotion of establishment of private seed enterprises, use of
improved seed, facilitate seed movement, training,
communication, and collation of industry data.
More information on AFSTA is
available at
www.afsta.org.
AFRICABIO
(Biotechnology Stakeholders Association) was founded in
February, 2000. Its some 90 members represent all links in the
food chain from academic scientists to food processors and
retailers. It is in the process of extending its mission to
the human health and industrial sectors.
AfricaBio's mission is to promote the
safe, ethical and responsible research, development and
application of modern biotechnology. It is active in
communication, training and capacity building, and liaises
widely in Africa and globally. AfricaBio is registered as a
non-profit private company.
More information is available on the
website at
www.africabio.com. |
