(Tetun) Local production of improved maize, rice and peanut seed will get a boost this 2014-15 cropping season following the registration of 27 new commercial seed producers (CSP) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in late 2014.

This brings total CSPs to 58 nationwide, adding to the previous 31 CSPs registered in 2013 under the National Seed System for Released Varieties (NSRV).

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Isaura Moreira, chief group of Matabean farmer association from Baucau district received CSP certificate from MAF-SoL Community & Commercial Seed Development Advisor © Yessy Betty/Seeds of Life

Get the contact list of Commercial Seed Producers by district here.

Agustinho Guterres, MAF Department Chief of Agricultural Community Seed Production, explains the more than doubling of producers is necessary to meet national seed demand for the officially released varieties.

“In the 2013-14 cropping season the total seed produced by the 31 CSPs fell short of MAF’s requirements for seed of improved varieties of maize (Sele, Noi Mutin), rice (Nakroma) and peanut (Utamua).

“Last year CSPs produced 50 tonnes of maize and 50 tonnes of rice seed, meeting only half MAF’s demand for 180 tonnes. Likewise for peanut, total CSP production was only one ton but MAF’s demand was 10 tonnes,” he said.

Despite this, production results from the 31 CSPs remain very impressive given that the NSSRV was only launched by MAF-SoL and other NSSRV stakeholders in mid-2013.

For the 50 tonnes of maize seed the CSPs produced and sold to MAF they received about US$75,000, showing that production and sale of commercial seed can be a good income earner for producers.

“In the coming years, the aim is to have three to five CSPs operating in each district and producing sufficient seed to meet district seed demand by supplying seed to the market.”

MAF-SoL Community & Commercial Seed Development Advisor, Buddhi Kunwar, explains that the increase in CSPs will improve seed production and supply at the district and national levels.

Members from Buirudu commercial seed producer in Hato Udo, Ainaro district, show off some of the 1.8 tonnes of Sele seed they produced in 2013-14 © Ivan Lopes/Seeds of Life

Members from Buirudu commercial seed producer in Hato Udo, Ainaro district, show off some of the 1.8 tonnes of Sele seed they produced in 2013-14 © Ivan Lopes/Seeds of Life

“It is estimated that 58 CSPs will produce around 200 tonnes of good quality maize, rice and peanut seed of MAF-released varieties in the 2014-15 cropping season,” he said.

“In the coming years, the aim is to have three to five CSPs operating in each district and producing sufficient seed to meet district seed demand by supplying seed to the market.”

According to Agustinho, MAF plans in the future to make forward contracts with CSPs to supply the government’s national seed needs.

Registration as a CSP under the NSSRV enables producers to grow and sell seed of improved varieties under their own unique brand and featuring the Fini ba Moris quality stamp to other farmers, NGOs, commercial seed traders (e.g. agriculture shops) and the Timor-Leste Government.

All commercial seed produced by CSPs must be grown and sold in accordance with MAF’s quality assurance guidelines and is subject to regular spot-checks by the ministry’s Seed Department.

At a recent two-day workshop on 14 and 15 January, representatives from the 58 CSPs came together to receive their official registration certificates, share production results and discuss the formation of a national association for commercial seed producers.

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Resprestative from the CSPs from all districts were gathered to receive their official registration certificates © Yessy Betty/Seeds of Life

Francisco Gomes, Chief of Buirudu CSP from Ainaro district, is happy that his group no longer has to worry where they are going to sell their seeds.

“Now we know the owners and locations of the agriculture shops in the districts, we know where we can sell our seeds this year. MAF and the agriculture shops can buy our seed for sale to the farming community,” he said at the event.

MAF-SoL will continue to help strengthen CSPs by building their skills in quality seed production and storage as well as business management and linking them with buyers, NGOs and traders.