Govt launches blitz on fraudulent agro-dealers
Elton Manguwo
GOVERNMENT has launched a 10-week blitz to eradicate fraudulent agro-dealers preying on unsuspecting farmers doing their preparations for next season by trading in counterfeit inputs.
The operation will cover all cities, towns and business centres and is expected to end mid-December depending on the market situation.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, head of Seed Services Institute Mr Edmore Mtetwa said as the country reaches the peak selling season of agro-inputs, it is important for farmers to purchase certified products from registered agro-dealers to avoid the risks posed by unscrupulous vendors who may be selling counterfeit or substandard products.
“We are collaborating with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to eliminate bogus agro-dealers,” said Mr Mtetwa.
He warned would-be offenders saying they would be held accountable for their actions and the law would take its course to the last letter.
With the country looking to boost agricultural production, counterfeit agro-inputs can be a recipe for poor crop yields and increase pest problems and financial losses for farmers.
“To ensure the quality and effectiveness of the products, consumers should verify that their suppliers are officially registered and that the products carry the necessary certification labels,” said Mr Mtetwa.
The country has a robust regulatory framework aimed at combating counterfeit seed on the market to ensure farmers are protected.
“As an institute we apply various methods to guarantee the eradication of counterfeit seeds from the market through licensing of all seed sellers/agro-dealers across the country,” stated Mr Mtetwa.
Seed Services Institute also conducts regular monitoring of all seed houses to ensure seed is distributed and marketed by licensed agro-dealers.
To ensure this, all seed produced and sold by seed companies undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process. It is essential that the seed must meet established minimum certification standards.
This process involves thorough testing and evaluation to ensure that each batch of seed is free from disease, has high germination rates, and meets other essential certification criteria.
The national seed authority enforces stringent certification and quality assurance procedures for seed production carried out by seed houses licensed by the Government.
“This certification system encompasses a comprehensive range of processes that include variety testing to assess local adaptability, thorough field inspections at all seed production sites and laboratory testing of seed,” said Mr Mtetwa.
To further enhance the integrity of the certification process, samples of certified seed available in the market are subjected to post-certification evaluations.
These evaluations serve to verify the effectiveness of the seed certification system, ensuring that the seed meets the required quality and performance standards.
“By implementing these rigorous procedures, the national seed authority aims to provide farmers with reliable and high-quality seeds that are well-suited to local growing conditions, ultimately contributing to improved agricultural productivity and sustainability,” said Mr Mtetwa.
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