Experts warn that monopoly is increasing in the seed industry

Experts and food rights advocates have warned that increasing corporate control over the seed sector could make farmers “slave and dependent” on patented seeds.

Speaking in an interview, agribusiness expert Mr. Jonathan Lubega said that unlike the farmer-managed seed system, corporate producers of seeds and pesticides are gradually taking away the responsibility of selection, storage and management of seeds, exposing farmers to exploitation.

Experts argue that the system also makes it difficult to access affordable and reliable seed sources, while also exposing farmers to counterfeit, counterfeit and substandard seeds.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards estimates that 30 to 40 percent of seeds on the market are fake, leading to poor germination, poor plant growth and reduced crop yields.

“When farmers are not responsible for their own seed systems, they become vulnerable to poor quality seeds that do not have the genetic traits necessary for optimal growth, as we have already witnessed here. And that just requires mislabeling or misusing logos or fake trademarks, and our farmers are in control of the system.” because they can’t hold it in, they become gullible,” Mr. Lubega said.

He also noted that there are already signs of monopoly in the seed sector, as farmers have shortcomings in the storage and propagation of seed, and the official seed sector is controlled by companies that have become the main selling points.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, seed laws recognize the existence of formal and informal seed systems, but expert analysis by Seatini revealed that an almost exclusive emphasis is placed on formal seed systems, characterized by structured systems for quality control, distribution, marketing and propagation. , version and variant development.

“After careful study of the law, you cannot stop it, but pay attention to how the official seed system is designed to take over or take over the unofficial seed system,” the analysis says.

Stakeholders also fear that the monopoly will lead to an increase in the supply of genetically modified seeds, whose technology and production are largely controlled by a few multinational companies.

Business and agricultural analysts, including Ms Jane Nalunga and food rights activist Agnes Kirabo, fear that the new seed system will make farmers slaves to a few monopolistic companies and warn that the government must be especially careful about technology being introduced to the seed sector.