Development of methodologies and guidelines on seed technology including seed production, seed certification and exchange of seed and planting material.

Introduction of improved staple food crop varieties through seed exchange.

Production of training materials on seed technology.

Development of procedures for seed quality control and exchange at national and regional level.

Development of seed production improvement policies, based on regional seed production assessments conducted in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Holding regional training courses on seed improvement, seed testing and quality control, seed production, storage, distribution and legislation for middle-level trainees and farmers.

Offering technical guidance to strengthen the activities of the Seed Production and Improvement Network for the Near East and North Africa Region, in cooperation with IARCs.

Supporting seed and planting material production and related technical and regulatory issues to help develop regional and national seed production programmes.

Giving technical support to TCP, GCP, OSRO and UNDP funded field projects on aspects of seed technology, production and improvement.

Development of guidelines for on-farm seed and planting material technologies for small farmers.

Development of strategies for the implementation and operation of seed security policies and programmes.

Development of inter-country programmes for seed security based on monitoring, forecasting and pre-planning for restoring seed supply after disasters.

Development of a Regional Network on on-farm seed production, conservation and use for the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Holding training courses for technicians and farmers on on-farm seed production and conservation, and on vegetable seed production with special attention to women farmers and seed producers in Central and Western Africa.

For further information please contact Messrs. Menini, Sgaravatti, Sikora, AGPS.