BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI – Japan has stated that it will continue supporting the African Union (AU) and its member states in strengthening Africa’s seed systems.
According to Japan, strategic partnerships are essential to achieving a food-secure and climate-resilient continent.
Japanese Ambassador Noboru Sekiguchi said Japan would continue working closely with the AU, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners to advance resilient, inclusive and technology-driven seed systems across Africa.
Speaking during a FAO side event held on the sidelines of the Africa Seed Summit at Ezulwini Palazzo on Monday, Sekiguchi said Japan believed that access to high-quality seed was fundamental to improving agricultural productivity, food security and climate resilience.
“Japan remains deeply committed to working hand in hand with the African Union, its member states, FAO and other partners to strengthen Africa’s seed system and realise a food-secure future,” he said.
The ambassador said Japan was already supporting AU priorities through various initiatives, including efforts aimed at harmonising seed regulations across the continent.
He said such support was intended to enhance continental cooperation, technical cooperation, capacity development and strategic investment in the seed sector.
“By supporting the harmonisation of seed regulations, we aim to facilitate trade and ensure that farmers have timely access to quality seed, thereby advancing the continental seed,” Sekiguchi said.
He said Japan’s long-standing partnership with FAO had enabled the country to consistently contribute to Africa’s agricultural development, stressing that FAO’s expertise and experience would remain important in implementing seed-related initiatives and ensuring effective coordination with the AU.
Sekiguchi also highlighted Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) support for the development and dissemination of high-quality rice seeds under initiatives aimed at increasing rice productivity in Africa.
He said the partnership reflected Japan’s broader commitment to supporting innovative solutions in African agriculture.
The ambassador further called for stronger and more coherent policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate regional seed trade and ensure seed quality.
He said regional harmonisation, continuous investment in technology-driven innovation and capacity development were necessary to equip farmers with resilient seed varieties.
Sekiguchi stressed that farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, should not be treated merely as recipients of seed.
“Farmers are not just recipients of seeds. They are the backbone of the seed system and must be active partners in transformation,” he said.
He said Japan would continue supporting the AU in the spirit of co-creation and partnership, calling on stakeholders to turn their commitments into practical action on the ground.
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