To tackle the challenge of counterfeit seeds in Uganda, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from the Integrated Seed Sector Development Plus (ISSD Plus) and in collaboration with the Uganda Seed Traders Association (USTA) and the National Agriculture Research Organisations (NARO) developed a digital Seed Tracking and Tracing System (STTS). The STTS reinforces the implementation of the Seed and Plant Regulations 2017 and the Seed and Plant (Quality Declared Seed) Regulations 2020.

Once working, the STTS will digitize seed sector operations including procedures for seed producer registration, seed quality assurance and certification; improve linkages of seed growers to the right sources of early generation seed; generate relevant information essential for planning, investment and policy change including data on seed demand and supply, variety popularity and quality seed use.

The project aims to roll out and operationalize the STTS by training users, providing hardware support, and supporting software migration to the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) for hosting, custody and management.

The operationalized STTS will enhance enforcement and regulation in the seed sector by restricting the seed market environment. This will reduce the prevalence of counterfeit seeds because only approved seed lots from registered seed producers are floated to seed users. Integration with other input platforms will improve the bundling of quality declared seed with other production inputs and services including fertilizers, insecticides, and credit facilities.

The project is working towards establishing an institutional framework for STTS rollout and operationalization by organizing national and regional consultative workshops with key stakeholders to establish a common ground and get their buy-in on the implementation strategy. Besides, training modules will be reviewed and standardized to suit different user categories including seed inspectors, seed analysts, seed companies, QDS producers, and smallholder farmers. MAAIF will be supported with setting up the STTS desk to manage the implementation of the system; engaging with key stakeholders to streamline their roles and functions; training and mentoring potential users; identifying hardware limitations and recommending upgrades to support new innovative ideas; and coordinating migration to NITA-U for hosting and management.