Ethiopia Seed Sector Baseline Study

Table of Contents
1. Executive summary ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐1
2. Introduction‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐2
3. Performance of Ethiopian Agriculture‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐5
4. Seed System in Ethiopia‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐10
4.1. Informal System‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐10
4.2. Formal System‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐12
4.3. Integrated System‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐14
5. Seed Legislation in Ethiopia‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐15
5.1. Seed inspection and certification‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐16
5.1.1. Seed production, demand and supply‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐20
5.1.2. Seed Production Facilities in Ethiopia‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐23
5.1.3. Existing seed classes‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 24
5.1.4. Main findings and recommendations‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐25
5.2. Variety evaluation, release and registration system‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐26
5.2.1. Conditions for Harmonizing Seed Laws and Regulations across Regions‐‐‐‐‐
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐29
5.2.2. Main Findings and Recommendations‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐30
5.3. Phytosanitary measures‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 31
5.4. Plant Variety Protection (Intellectual Property Rights)‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐34
5.5. Seed import/export documentation and procedures
6. Conclusion
7. Annexes

A Baseline Survey on the Ethiopian Seed Sector
1. Executive summary
The purpose of this paper is to provide information on the Ethiopian seed system and
existing seed policies and regulations that could provide highlights for EACs
harmonization process. Information was collected through a review of available
literature and discussions with Federal and Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Rural
Development and Public and Private Farms, although obtaining information is very
difficult due to frequent restructuring of offices and high turnover of specialists.
The country's seed law is under revision and seed certification body was decentralized to
Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Developments. In fact the current structures of
certification body of the four major crops producing regional states are differing.
Repeated restructuring of the executing agencies left the responsibilities shared among
various departments of the MoARD, which is now also being reorganized. This weak or
feeble the enforcement and serious fraudulent practices were reported by some
suppliers. Currently the Input and Marketing Directorate that was responsible for seed
marketing, demand collection and distribution was disintegrated in to two bodies. The
marketing part joined with Ministry of Trade while the input part is still under revision.
The seed certification system (variety release mechanism, phyto‐sanitary regulation and
seed import‐export) documents are still under revision at the Animal and Plant Health
Directorate of MoARD.
The study includes an executive summary, introduction, together with sections on
Performance of Ethiopian Agriculture, current seed systems, seed improvement
initiatives, summaries and recommendations and conclusions. In addition, in the annex
attached number of released varieties up to 2008, Plant quarantine, import and re‐
export permit formats, revised draft law that includes the suggested improvements; and
law of plant variety protection rights.
2. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the main stay of Ethiopian economy, having a lion’s share in contributing to the
national GDP. The current agricultural policy framework of the country, which is known as
“Agricultural Development Led Industrialization (ADLI)'', sets out agriculture as a primary
stimulus to generate increased output, employment and income for the people. Moreover,
agriculture is serving as a springboard for the development of other economic sectors of the
country (Keeley and Scoones, 2000).
Transformation of the agricultural sector in the country was started in the mid of 1990s after
the formulation of a development strategy centered on agriculture, ADLI. Since then, the sector
is leading the overall economic development of the country, and eventually will transform the
economic setup to industrialization. The strategy emphasizes on promoting a green revolution
in the country through the intensification of smallholder agriculture as best approach to achieve
the transformation.
The sector, however, is still characterized largely by small‐scale subsistence farming and low
productivity. This low productivity is detrimental to the economic development and growth of
the country. Low productivity is purely due to limited use of improved seeds and associated
technologies. Cognizant of this scenario, the Government of Ethiopia has put great emphasis on
increasing the production and productivity of small‐scale farmers.
Seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Increasing the quality of
seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds and thus, is one of the
most economical and efficient inputs to agricultural development (FAO, 2006). Generation and
transfer of new technologies are critical prerequisites for agricultural development particularly
for an agrarian based economy such as Ethiopia. Seed, especially that of improved varieties, is
an essential input for increasing crop productivity. This suggests the need to place much
emphasis on sustainable and efficient seed production systems.

In Ethiopia, different seed production systems exist parallel to one another: informal seed
systems, community‐based seed systems, formal seed systems (government supported) and
commercial seed systems. The informal seed systems (self‐saved seed or farmer‐to‐farmer seed
exchange) accounts for 80‐90% of the seed used by smallholder farmers (Zewdie, et al, 2008).
In the formal system, the role of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD),
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Ethiopian Seed Enterprise (ESE) and Regional
Seed Enterprises (Oromiya Seed Enterprise, Amhara Seed Enterprise and Southern Region Seed
Enterprise) are crucial in breeding, releasing varieties, production of breeder, pre‐basic and
basic seeds. In the multiplication of certified seed, the private sector (cooperatives/union,
NGOs, etc.) can increasingly play a great role.
The emergence of the seed regulations was a response to evolution of technical and economic
changes in the seed industry usually prompted by the desire of the society for government
intervention (Tripp, 1997b). The structural changes to traditional agriculture brought by new
crop improvement techniques and the arrangements for seed production and marketing
required new institutions to regulate the industry. The regulations of particular relevance to
seed systems are: (a) variety regulation for testing, release and registration; (b) seed regulation
prescribing field and seed standards for certification; (c) plant variety protection to protect
breeders of new varieties; (d) seed trade regulation setting specifications for seed import or
export; and (e) quarantine regulation for exclusion of exotic pests (insects, diseases and weeds).
The Ethiopian government has favorable policy for agricultural research and fully supports the
research system by allocating appropriate resources. As a result, the country's agricultural
research system has developed and released about 600 varieties of 50 different crops since
1966. However, the ESE has only been able to produce 111 different varieties of just 26
different crops in 2009/10 cropping season
MoARD is an umbrella organization which coordinates and leads the various activities of the
seed industry. The main tasks of MoARD’s various departments include the national seed policy,
variety registration and release, seed import/export, seed certification, quarantine and
extension. Previously, the responsibility for official seed quality control and certification was
given to the now defunct National Seed Industry Agency (NSIA). To date, it is handled by the
Agricultural Inputs Quality Control Department of MoARD, which is now being restructured.
BoARDs in regional states and (Farmers cooperative Unions (FCUs) play a vital role in seed
distribution while credit is offered by various financial institutions through FCUs.
The Ethiopian Seed Enterprise is the only public seed enterprise responsible for production of
seed for all crops (cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables and forage), although its seed production is
dominated by cereals, especially maize and wheat. It produces, processes, distributes, and
markets improved seed based on the official demand projection of the regional bureaus of
agriculture.
The policy/regulatory environment, the availability of relevant agricultural technology, the
support institutions and the socio‐economic factors have a profound effect on the development
of the national seed industry (Louwaars, 2002; Turner and Bishaw, 2000; Almekinders and
Louwaars, 1999). The interactions between these factors determine the extent of the
functioning of the formal and informal seed sector operations. The national seed policy should
be viewed within the framework of government policy to ensure the development of the
agricultural sector in general and the seed sector in particular.
In the past seed laws and regulations were prepared and implemented with specific national
interests and with no or little regional interactions. Most national seed laws, however, are
replicas of each other (Louwaars, 2002; 1996) with little national flavor. To date, with the
increasing globalization of seed trade the existence of unrealistic and inflexible national
regulations become a serious impediment for regional integration.
This paper, is therefore, aimed at assessing the current seed systems operating in the country
and reviewing initiatives in the area, documenting best approaches and also assessing the
variety release procedures and regulations at national levels to come up with recommendations
that could help for regional harmonization .
The study involved a review, analysis of relevant documents from available literatures and
guided discussions and interviews with different stakeholders from Federal and regional
governmental bodies. The study examined the current seed situations, identified issues and
factors and made recommendations on issues procedures and regulations for variety release
and registration varieties, transfer, acquisition, multiplication, dissemination and trade of seeds.
3. Performance of Ethiopian Agriculture
In Ethiopia, 84% of the estimated 78 million people live in rural areas are depending on
agriculture for their livelihoods. The sector contributes 41.4% of the GDP of the country. The
average cereal yields are low at 1,244kg/ha (World Bank, 2006). Despite the importance of
agriculture in its economy, Ethiopia has been a food deficit country since the early 1970s. A
close look at the performance of the Ethiopian agriculture reveals that over the last three
decades it has been unable to produce sufficient quantity to feed the country’s rapidly growing
human population. Even worse, the country has experienced recurrent droughts that claimed
the lives of several thousands of people. It is note worthy that food aid has been accounting for
a significant proportion of the total food supply in the country. For instance, Ethiopia received
726,640 metric tons of food aid yearly over the 1985‐2000 periods (FDRE, 2002). This is equal to
about 10% of the national food grain production.
There fore, the current main goal of the Government of Ethiopia’s ADLI strategy was to raise
crop yields through a centralized and aggressive extension‐based push focusing on
technological packages that combined credit, fertilizers, improved seeds and better
management practices.
Policy makers assumed that significant productivity growth could be easily achieved by
improving farmers’ access to technologies which would narrow the gap between
farmers’ yield and what agronomists called ‘exploitable yield potential’. Researchers also
reported the existence of technologies that can make a huge difference and shift
upwards farmers’ yield frontier in grain production. Based on six years average data,
researchers indicated that maize yield, for instance, can be increased from current
farmers’ yield level of 1.6 ton/ha to 4.7 ton/ha, and wheat from 1.1 ton/ha to 2.8 ton/ha
and tef from 0.7 ton/ha to 1.5 ton/ha, if peasants use the right type and amount of
improved seed varieties, fertilizers and other recommended practices (Berhane et al.,
2004).
In the recent years, agricultural GDP grew at levels close to double figure, a pattern that
appears to be confirmed by looking at cereal production growth. Based on the data from
Central Statistics Authority (CSA), cereal production in the period 2005/06 to 2009/10
was increased by more than 4% per year. The yields and area cultivated increased at a
rate of 2.5% and 2% per year, respectively. The largest increases in all dimensions were
in tef, wheat and sorghum (Table 1).
In the same way, the demand and use of inputs by smallholder farmers have been
increased tremendously. The supply of inorganic fertilizer (DAP and Urea) was increased
from 375,717 metric tones in 2006 to 826,564 in 2010. About 826,564 tones of fertilizers
have been Supplied in 2010, which is about 40 percent more than the volume imported
in 2009. At the same time, the amount of fertilizers (DAP and urea) supplied to regional
states were increased from 375,717 tones in 2005/06 to 595,261 tones in 2009/10.

According to CSA (2010) data, fertilizer was applied on 4,734,474 ha of land which is
39.38% of the total area cultivated in 2009/10 cropping season. From the above figure,
one can understand that the reason why farmers couldn't buy all amount of fertilizer
imported may be associated with little working capital, uncertain access to credit and
often cannot afford the cost of improved seed and the fertilizer. Hence, most farmers
use less amount of fertilizer per hectare than the recommended rate, thereby reducing
yield potential of different crops.

Table 1. Area covered (ha), Crop production (Q) and crop productivity (Q/ha) during the five
years (2005/06 to 2009/10) for Cereals, Pulses and Oil crops
Crops Description 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/9 2009/10
Cereals Area 8,463,615 8,730,001 9,019,054 8,770,117 9,233,024
Production 128,660,941 137,169,908 146,800,700 144,964,059 155,342,280
Ave. productivity 15.2 15.71 16.28 16.61 17.00
Pulses Area 1,228,564 1,344,091 1,446,730 1,391,731 1,328,618

Production 13,661,202 15,806,944 17,445,197 17,452,634 16,451,467
Oil crops Area 740922 707059 875855 855147.41 780915.89

Production 4968294 5406849 7454594 6557044 6436144
Source CSA, 2006‐2010

Table 2. Area (ha), production (q) and productivity (q/ha) of Cereal crops (2005/06 to
2009/10)
Average
Crop Description 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/9 2009/10 growth
rate (%)
Area 2,404,674 2,565,155 2,542,125 2,481,333 2,588,661 1.53
Tef Production 24,377,495 29,929,235 31,342,437 30,280,181 31,793,743 6.08
Productivity 10.14 11.67 12.33 12.20 12.28 4.22
Area 1,019,314 984,943 950,047 977,757 1,129,112 2.15
Barley Production 13,521,480 13,548,071 13,436,233 15,194,042 17,504,436 5.89
Productivity 13.27 13.76 14.14 15.54 15.5 3.36
Area 1,473,917 1,424,719 1,509,110 1,453,817 1,683,565 2.84
Wheat Production 24,630,639 23,144,885 26,877,417 25,376,398 30,756,436 4.97
Productivity 16.71 16.25 17.81 17.46 18.27 1.87
Area 1,694,522 1,767,389 1,977,111 1,768,122 1,772,253 0.92
Maize Production 37,764,397 37,497,491 41,485,050 39,325,217 38,971,631 0.64
Productivity 22.29 21.22 20.98 22.24 21.99 ‐0.27
Area 1,464,318 1,533,537 1,571,213 1,615,297 1,618,677 2.11
Sorghum Production 23,160,409 26,591,292 26,335,118 28,043,510 29,712,655 5.66
Productivity 15.82 17.34 16.76 17.36 18.36 3.21
Area 374,072 399,268 406,592 408,099 368,999 ‐0.27
Finger
Production 4,844,089 5,379,915 5,999,629 5,603,045 5,241,911 1.64
millet
Productivity 12.95 13.47 14.76 13.73 14.21 1.95
Area 32,798 30,556 30,171 30,605 24,018 ‐5.35
Oats Production 362,432 365,858 380,815 427,729 330,191 ‐1.78
Productivity 11.05 11.97 12.62 13.98 13.75 4.89
Area ‐ 24,434 32,685 35,088 47,739 23.84
Rice Production ‐ 713,161 944,001 713,937 1,031,277 11.15
Productivity 29.19 28.88 20.35 21.6 ‐6.50
Area 8,463,615 8,730,001 9,019,054 8,770,117 9,233,024 1.82
Production 128,660,941 137,169,908 146,800,700 144,964,059 155,342,280 4.15
Total
Average 15.20 15.71 16.28 16.61 17.00 2.36
productivity
Source CSA, 2006‐2010
Table 3. Fertilizer distribution (tones) to the users for the five years
(2005/06‐2009/10)
Year DAP Urea Total
2006 251,156 124,561 375,717
2007 259,020 129,121 388,141
2008 265,768 138,988 404,756
2009 289,446 158,075 447,521
2010 394,029 201,232 595,261
Total 1,459,419 751,977 2,211,396
Source ESE, 2010 and MoARD personal communication, 2010

Table 4. Comparison between total amount of fertilizer purchased, supplied
to regions and used by farmers in 2010/11 (tones)
Fertizer DAP UREA Total Share of used fert. vs
purchased and supplied
Leftover from last season 204,412.0 96,874.0 301,286.0
Purchase 324,792.3 200,485.4 525,277.7
Total Supply 529,204.3 297,359.4 826,563.7
Purchased Vs. Used by farmers 337,950.3 177,224.27 515,174.52 62.33
Transported to Region Vs. Total 394,028.56 201,232.05 595,260.61 86.55
supply
Source MoARD, 2010
4. Seed system in Ethiopia
Seed system in Ethiopia represents the entire complex organizational, institutional and
individual operations associated with the development, multiplication, processing,
storage, distribution and marketing of seed in the country. Farmers, particularly small
holder ones, are involved in multiple kinds of seed systems, which can guarantee them
in obtaining the quantity and quality of seeds they need and to market their produce.
Seed systems in Ethiopia can be divided into two broad types: the formal system and the
informal system (sometimes called local or farmers system). Both systems are operating
simultaneously in the country and difficult to demarcate between the two. There is
however, a fact that the formal system is the original source of improved seeds in the
informal system. There is also a system that interact the two systems referred to as
integrated seed system. Other forms of seed systems operating in both systems also
exist such as Community‐Based Seed System (CBSS). Though not well developed, few
commercial seed systems are also operating in the country.
4.1. Informal Seed System
The informal seed system, also known as local system or sometimes as "farmers" system, is
called informal because it operates under non‐law regulated and characterized by farmer‐to‐
farmer seed exchange. According to Cromwell, Friis‐Hansen, and Turner (1992), five key
features distinguish the informal from the formal system. These are, the informal system is
traditional, semi‐structured, operate at the individual community level, uses a wide range of
exchange mechanisms, and usually deal with small quantities of seeds often demanded by
farmers.
In the context of some countries like Ethiopia, the informal system is extremely important for
seed security. In Ethiopia, the bulk of seed supply is provided through the informal system,
implying its importance in national seed security. About 60‐70% of seed used by Ethiopian
smallholder farmers is saved on‐farm and exchanged among farmers, and the remaining 20‐30%
is borrowed or purchased locally. The informal seed system (either self‐saved seed or farmer‐
to‐farmer seed exchange) accounts for 90% of the seed used by smallholder farmers (Belay,
2004), while the share of improved seed is less than 10% (Table).
The majority of Ethiopian farmers show a tendency of depending on the informal system due to
the following key reasons:
1. It is relatively cheaper and readily available in the farmer’s villages just at the time of
seed is needed.
2. It allows use of seeds after testing on primary adopter farmers.
3. It is more reliable and its sustainability is more guaranteed than the formal system.
Ethiopian farmers have a long tradition of settled agriculture contributing to the evolution and
maintenance of the country’s rich agro‐biodiversity, and to a well entrenched informal seed
system. Farmers use centuries‐old strategies, including the improvement of farmer‐saved seeds,
farmer‐to‐farmer seed exchange, and farmer‐managed seed production (Zewde, B. et al. 2007).
Farmers have rich experience in seed and varietal selection, seed preservation and protection,
biological resources conservation through cultivation, local knowledge related with local crops
and varieties.
As depicted in Table 1, on average more than 12 million hectare of land are cultivated by the
major food crops over the last five years (2005‐2010). These are: cereals, legumes, oilseeds,
root crops and horticultural crops. In 2009/10 cropping season, out of 10,979,645 hectares
(84.75%) were covered by local seeds (Table 2). More over, about 71.3% of the total cultivated
area is covered by major cereals: tef, maize, barley, wheat and sorghum, followed by legumes
(11.5%) and oil seeds (6%). In the same cropping season, the annual area coverage of tef, maize,
sorghum, wheat and barley are 2.59, 1.77, 1.62, 1.68, 1.13 million hectares, respectively. Major
pulses (faba bean, field peas, Haricot beans, chickpea, grass pea and lentil) occupy 14.9 million
hectares, and oilseed crops: niger seed, linseed, rapeseed, peanut, sunflower, sesame and
castor bean is about 0.78 million hectares (Table 1).
Table 1. Area cultivated (ha) by major crops over the last five years (2005/06-2009/10)
Cropping season
Crop category 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Cereals 8,072,561 8,463,080 8,730,001 8,770,118 9,233,025

Pulses 1,292,063 1,378,939 1,517,662 1,585,236 1,489,308
Oil crops 796,397 740,847 707,059 855,147 780,916
Vegetables 117,578 95,194 119,091 162,125 138,393
Root crops 168,836 188,917 184,329 145,742 212,208
Other temporary 77,554 97,677 84,977 69,103 63,418
Permanent crops 767,582 823,121 1,039,313 906,518 53,086
Total 11,292,572 11,787,775 12,382,434 12,493,989 12,954,749

Source: CSA, 2006-2010
Table 2. Area covered (ha) by local (informal) seeds over the last five years (2005/06- 2009/10)
Cropping season
Crop 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Cereals 7,636,935 8,127,710 8,309,899 8,333,097 7,660,560

Pulses 1,283,564 1,373,914 1,509,394 1,568,457 1,358,379
Oil crops 790,471 736,791 702,518 851,626 706,361
Vegetables 116,298 94,636 118,026 159,626 122,832
Root crops 167,189 186,804 180,624 143,761 183,254
Other annuals 77,000 97,575 83,041 68,048 56,431
Permanent 750,353 810,364 1,023,591 885,427 48,927
Total 11,292,572 11,787,775 12,382,434 12,493,989 12,954,749
Source: CSA, 2006-2010
4.2. Formal Seed System
The formal seed system is called formal because it is government supported system and several
public institutions are involved on it. The major actors of the formal system are: National
Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MoARD), Ethiopian Seed Enterprise (ESE) and private seed companies specializing on specific
crops like Pioneer. Recently, regional seed enterprises (RSE) were also established as public seed
enterprises (such as Oromiya Seed Enterprise-OSE, Amhara Seed Enterprise-ASE and Southern
Region Seed Enterprise-SRSE) and entered into the formal system. All actors have inter-
dependent roles in the system and inefficiency of one actor will automatically affect negatively
the performances of the rest of the actors. NARS (EIAR & RARIs) is responsible for variety
development and supply of initial seed, and ESE and RSEs are playing key roles in mass
production of improved seeds. MoARD is also involved in variety release, multiplication,
certification and distribution of seeds in the country. Private seed growers and other farmer
institutions such as unions and cooperatives are also playing key roles in multiplication,
certification and distribution of different classes of seeds. Legal institutions such as variety
release procedures, intellectual property rights, certification programs, seed standards, contract
laws, and law enforcement are also an important component of the formal seed system of any
country. They help determine the quantity, quality, and cost of seeds passing through the seed
system (Maredia, et al., 1999).
The Ethiopian government has favorable policy for agricultural research and is fully supporting
the research system by allocating appropriate resources. Therefore, the country's agricultural
research system has developed and released more than 664 varieties of 50 different crop types
(MoARD, 2010; Personal communications). ESE has only been able to produce 111 different
seeds of just 26 different crop varieties in 2009 cropping season. Seed multiplication by ESE
focused mainly on two cereal crops (wheat and maize) and annual supply of certified seed by the
enterprise doesn’t exceed 20,000 tons (Marja H. et al., 2008). Wheat and hybrid maize constitute
about 85% of the total output.
The total area covered by improved seeds in 2009/10 (2002 E.C) cropping season was about
364,154 hectares. In the same season, the largest volume of improved seeds used was that of
maize and wheat, which amounted to about 5,720 and 4,690 tons, which has covered the largest
area under improved seeds cultivation estimated to be about 210,000 and 38,000 hectares,
respectively (Table 3).
Table 3. Area covered (ha) by improved seeds (formal) during 2005/06 to 2009/10
Cropping season
Crops 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Cereals 429,536 335,369 412,629 430,937 322,819

Pulses 5,224 5,025 6,309 14,918 12,912
Oil crops 1,833 4,056 2,273 2,328 9,139
Vegetables 779 559 501 1,899 2,788
Root crops 813 2,114 2,251 799 3,721
Other annuals 70 102 - - -
Permanent 9,681 11,742 5,828 13,120 9,852
Total 449,186 359,937 432,107 465,809 364,154
4.3. Integrated Seed System
The line between the formal and informal seed sectors can become somewhat blurred, as seeds of
improved varieties can be saved by farmers and eventually considered as “local variety” or “local
seed” after some years of usage. In addition, in Ethiopia there have been attempts made by the
government and NGOs to promote quality seed production and distribution through market
channels for landrace varieties, although until now the volume they represent is quite small
(Lipper et al.,2005). Thus, the formal and local seed systems are not always as distinct or
separated as the two labels may imply something to integrate and synergize both systems.
5. Seed Legislation in Ethiopia
Seed legislation is a regulatory mechanism put in place to protect the farmer from
purchasing seed of dubious quality. In general, the objective of seed legislation is to
regulate seed commerce including variety certification and variety protection.

In countries where there is a fairly well developed seed inspection and certification
service, the regulatory authority is vested to an autonomous or semiautonomous agency
away from the main seed producer players (Marco A. Quiñónes, 2010). This agency
carries out control of all processes of seed inspection and certification and has authority
to enforce seed laws and regulations. It is answerable directly to the Ministry of
Agriculture.

Ethiopia has recently reviewed her seed legislation and is in the process of issuing a seed
proclamation. However, there is not perfect seed legislation anywhere in the world and
the laws and regulations may need to be frequently amended in response to changing
circumstances. Even sometimes the seed legislation may need to be temporarily
suspended as in times of crisis due to drought, floods, disease outbreaks etc. Looking at
the future, it is recommended that Ethiopia brings her seed legislation and regulations in
conformity with the International Seed Testing Association in order to facilitate seed
imports and exports of diverse crop cultivars as it may become necessary.
5.1. Seed inspection and certification
Successful seed program is one which is able to supply a sufficient quantity of high
quality seed at the required time, at a reasonable cost and at a place where it is needed.
The seed standards in Ethiopia have been prepared under the direction of the
agricultural product standards committee and published by the Quality and Standards
Authority of Ethiopia. Currently, the Authority revised its seed standards and prepared
field and seed standards for 174 crops versus the 74 crops standards that were officially
issued for implementation.

Ethiopian Seed Standards includes the minimum limits of germination, varietal purity,
physical purity and other quality attributes of Certified, Quality Declared and Emergency
Seed, or of any other standard the Minster may establish under article 15 of the new
draft law. In this system, the producer declares that the seed meets the established
Quality Declared Seed standards based on internal quality controls, which the regulatory
authority later controls through spot checks. It relies on the technical facilities and
competence of seed producers to control quality; as such, it is initially intended to apply
to large producers.
Previously, the responsibility for official seed quality control and certification was given
to National Seed Industry Agency (NSIA) and later transferred to the Animal and Plant
Health Directorate of MoARD.
To date, the implementation of seed inspection and certification restructured and
decentralized to Bureaus of Agriculture and Rural Development (BoARDs) in regional
states. The management of all 10 seed testing laboratories was also given to regional
Bureaus (Ambo and Assela to Oromiya Region, Durbete, Gondar, Debre Markos and
Dessie to Amhara Region, Axum and Mekelle to Tigray Region, and Durame, and Wolaita
to Southern Nation and Nationality Region). The mini seed laboratories and the central
laboratory have a combined capacity to test over 30,000 samples per year. With the
current seed production trends this limited testing capacity makes it impossible to fulfill
the requirement that all seed be certified.

The Farmers' cooperative Unions (FCUs) play a vital role in seed and fertilizer
distribution while credit is offered by various financial institutions through FCUs. The
FCU’s share in seed supply to small farmers is now growing very rapidly.

Any person, who wants to engage in seed production, processing, import, export is
required by the law to obtain a competence assurance certificate from the
MOARD/BoARD, register their fields for inspection and provide proof of the parental
material of the registered variety.

The new draft law (2010) gives the Regional authority to:
 coordinate public seed production and distribution at the regional level among
regions and with the central public seed producer;
 issue certificates of competence for seed producers, processors, distributors and
retailers in accordance with Articles 25 and 26;
 designate and obtain accreditation for seed testing laboratories;
 carry out quality control functions as provided in this Proclamation; and
 perform other functions within the scope of this article or as agreed between the
Regional Authorities and the Minister.
During inspection the authorities consider minimum isolation distance, crop history and
rotation, contaminants, disease and health status. Seed samples are collected and
examined in the laboratory for purity, germination capacity, moisture content and
health status (seed‐ borne diseased of seed lots). A seed analysis certificate is issued to
the seed grower and each bag of certified seeds is labeled according to the standards set
by former NSIA. Seed Inspectors with the authority to appear at production, processing,
storage, wholesale and retail sites to inspect seed for its conformity to these standards.
Certificate holders must make records and samples from laboratory tests of seed quality
available to Inspectors, and follow any advice the Inspector gives them for improving the
quality, before they are allowed to sell their seed. Any prescribed seed on sale must
have a label specifying it is Certified, the variety name, and the dates of production and
testing.

The ESE operates a central seed testing laboratory at headquarters and five mini
laboratories attached to seed processing plants and storage facilities located in different
regions (Table). ESE has kept its internal seed quality assurance activities even after the
introduction of formal seed certification under the MoARD. The Regional Seed
Enterprises and private seed growers are using seed laboratories of their respective
Region, neighboring regions or ESE laboratories for quality assurance and cleaning and
labeling their seeds.

The quality of seed could be tested by sending sample seed to Official Government Seed
Testing Laboratory. The seed law may allow official testing of seed every year. The seed
quality could be also done in own‐laboratory through proper sampling of seed and
following the procedures set by the standard authority
It was observed that some Ethiopian seed standards are excessively high, which has
resulted in the rejection and destruction of good quality seed. It is therefore
recommended that standards be reviewed and revised as necessary to comply with
international standards and otherwise to determine what is appropriate for each variety
(Draft seed law, 2010).

Concerning Official laboratories, the draft seed law says 'The Minister shall establish the
accreditation criteria and testing procedures for all seed testing laboratories in Ethiopia'.
This section takes into account Ethiopia’s current seed testing capacity while still
requiring the eventual adoption of ISTA procedures.

In the new draft law the Minister gives the power to accredit and issue guidelines,
procedures and standards for both central and regional laboratories to promote
consistent seed quality among regions. This will facilitate the inter‐regional movement
of seed and otherwise create a coherent seed system in Ethiopia.
5.1.1. Seed production, demand and supply
Seed security is one of the most important sociological, political, economic and scientific
challenges in the country. Securing the supply of quality seed and planting materiel of
the most important food crops is the most effective way to sustain food security.
In Ethiopia, the seed demand is increasing rapidly due to the agricultural development.
The establishment of Ethiopian Seed Enterprise’s led to advent of organized seed
production and supply system in the country and remained the main supplier in the
formal sector. Currently, government and private seed enterprises are involving and
combining their efforts to produce and supply seed to the growers.

In the country, the supply of improved seeds never fulfilled the need of producers. But
for the last two years with the shift in seed multiplication strategy, the production of
improved seeds especially hybrid maize and wheat were considerably improved.

Table 6. Demand and supply of hybrid maize basic seed for five years
(2005/06‐2009/10)
Production year Demand Supply Supply vs. demand (%)
2006/07 1179 515 43.68

2007/08 2427 1023 42.15
2008/09 2224 1145 51.48
2009/10 2755 1509 54.77
2010/11 5606.3 6449.8 115.05

Table 7. Demand and supply hybrid maize certified seed in Quintals for four years
(2007/08‐2010/11)
Production year Demand Supply Supply vs demand (%)
2007/08 123777 35244 28.47

2008/09 143847 86787 60.33
2009/10 193079 95735 49.58
2010/11 333249 193123 57.65

Table 8. Demand and supply of non‐hybrid certified seed in Quintals for five years
(2006/07‐2010/11)
Production year Demand Supply Supply vs demand (%)
2006/07 555650 225310 40.55

2007/08 629422 205680 32.68
2008/09 841458 246051 29.24
2009/10 737992 278353 37.71
2010/11 723588 433049 59.85

During the last five years, the ESE Produced and distributed its certified seeds through
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the peasant sector. The amount of
certified seed production was increased from 207,459 quintals in 2005/06 to 543,209
quintals in 2009/10. The amount of seed distributed by ESE is shown in Table 9. In
addition 20,000 quintals of hybrid certified was produced by Pioneer Hi‐brid Seed
Ethiopia in 2009/10 cropping season.

In the other hand, Seed sales show fluctuation from year to year and were 86% in 2006
and 56% in 2010, compared to seed production by ESE. ESE used to have a problem of
carry‐over stock, while the majority of farmers are unable to obtain improved seed. This
problem was attributed to poor seed marketing (promotion and sales outlets) for
reaching the farmer and/or the inabilities of the enterprise to meet the farmers need in
terms of varietal choice and product quality (Table 10).
Table 9. Amount of certified seed produced by ESE in Quintals for five years (2006/07‐
2010/11)
Crop 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Cereals 181,526.28 195,733.60 226,954.11 302,883.37 524,303.24
Pulse crops 16,783.11 19,771.41 19,689.15 28,407.85 14,847.28
Oil crops 8,818.68 6,206.26 5,791.77 5,955.07 2,980.58
Horticultural crops 2.10 29.90 44.69 18.30 29.33
Spices ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 5.55
Fiber Crops 240.00 ‐ 32.58 ‐ 1,000.00
Forage crops 88.95 103.15 ‐ 176.14 93.29
Total 207,459.12 221,844.32 252,512.30 337,440.73 543,259.27
Source: ESE, 2010

Table 10. Sales of certified seed produced by ESE in Quintals for five years (2006/07‐
2010/11)
Crop 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Cereals 164,715 138,840 171,905 171,534 293,161
Pulse crops 12,301 10,061 10,805 10,606 8,235
Oil crops 1,359 1,242 848 480 331
Horticultural crops 19 8 45 4 64
Forage crops 64 63 92 15 5
Total 178,458 150,214 183,695 182,638 301,795
Source: ESE, 2010

All the above facts depicted in the tables indicated the official seed production and
other input statistics distributed to the end‐user during the last five year plan (2005/06 –
2009/10). Availability and status of seed infrastructure is also highlight in order to assess
the capacity of the country to implement requirements of seed certification that is
necessary for the purpose of the harmonization at COMESA level.
5.1.2. Seed Production Facilities in Ethiopia
The formal seed sector has built up its seed processing capacity over the past two and a
half decades. Currently there are quite a number of seed processing facilities in the seed
sector (Six in ESE, 13 in Oromiya Region, 19 in Amhara Region, 7 in Tigray Region, 13 in
Southern Peopls and Nationalities Region (SNNP), but most of the processing machines
found in the four Regional states are needs repair. Concerning the seed testing
laboratories, ESE has its own 6 laboratories with a capacity of 17500 samples per year.
At Federal MoARD level there is one seed testing laboratory with a capacity of 5000
samples per year. In addition, there are 10 seed testing laboratories found under the
BoARD of four Regional States with a total capacity of 25000 samples per year. ESE has
10 storage facilities with a total capacity of 39600 quintals. In addition all three Regional
Seed Agencies and 33 private seed growers have storage facilities with different amount
of storage capacities. However, transport facilities are very limited. Most of the facilities
are owned by the ESE but are not located strategically for serving small farmers
throughout the country (Table 11). Besides the ESE, Pioneer Hi‐Bred Seeds Ethiopia
owns a seed processing plant with an annual capacity of 6,000 tones and a seed storage
facility of 2000 tones – both located in Addis Ababa. Moreover, over 40 seed processing
machines with an over 450,000 tones seed processing capacity found in different
Regional states. However, only some of the Processing machines are functional. Others
are either standing idle or needs some spare parts for repair.
Table 11. Seed processing, storage and laboratory facilities in Ethiopia
Institute/location quantity Seed processing (tons) Seed testing Storage
laboratory (tons)
Per day Seed (samples
processed/year tested/year)
ESE Seed testing labs. (6) 17,500
Seed processing 16‐32 137,952
machines (6)
Storage facilities (10) 39,600
Sub‐total 137,952 17,500 39,600
Pioneer 1 6,000 2,000
Sub‐total 143,952 41,000
MoARD Addis Ababa 5,000
Sub‐total 0 0 5,000 0
Regional BoARD
Oromiya Seed testing labs. (2) 5,000
Seed processing 2‐30 t 40,880
machines (13)
Amhara Seed testing labs. (4) 10,000
Seed processing 4‐30 t 46,000
machines (19)
Tigray Seed testing labs. (2) 5,000
Seed processing 8‐20t 28,835
machines (7)
Southern Region Seed testing labs. (2) 5,000
Seed processing 8‐30t 64,605
machines (13)
Sub‐total 180,320 25,000
Total 462,224 47,500 41,000
5.1.3. Existing seed classes
The new varieties, released by private or government must pass through a series of
evaluation, release and registration tests and procedures before farmers can use them.
Seed production of registered cultivars follows a generation system to ensure that all
seeds marketed to farmers should be originated from a known source (breeder seed).
Each generation is produced under strict supervision and must meet seed quality
standards. Ethiopia has adopted from Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) seed generation scheme which is indicated below:
 Breeder seed (1st generation) is the initial source of seed and is usually produced by
the breeder. It is the source for the production of pre‐basic or basic seed.
 Pre‐basic seed (2nd generation) is the progeny of the breeder seed and is usually
produced under the supervision of a breeder or his designated agency. This
generation is commonly used for crops that have low multiplication ratios and
where large quantities of certified seed are required.
 Basic seed (3rd generation) is the progeny of breeder or pre‐basic seed and is
usually produced under the supervision of a breeder or his designated agency and
under the control of a seed quality control agency.
 Certified seed (4th generation and above) is the progeny of basic seed and is
produced on contract with selected seed growers under the supervision of the seed
enterprise, public or private. Certified seed can be used to produce further
generations of certified seed (certified 1, certified 2, etc) or can be planted by
farmers for grain production.

5.1.4. Main Findings and Recommendations
In Ethiopia there are favorable policies and incentives to attract and develop private
seed companies to engage in the seed industry. However, needs more effort to
implement those policies and strategies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development should enable the private sector to take the lead in production and sale of
certified seeds while the public sector produces breeder pre‐basic and basic seeds. In
the development and conservation of new varieties, seed inspection and certification
are indispensable processes.
The new draft law has been revisited and amended to keep up with new developments
in the seed industry. A number of articles were amended, particularly with regard to
seed quality standards, which are very high for some crops. The Seed Law No. 206/2000
demands conformity with these standards for any commercial seed. However, it proved
impossible to achieve such standards at the current stage of development in the seed
sector. This concern was noted by the responsible agency but no practical action has
been yet taken to improve the situation.

The establishment of the National Seed Quality Control and Certification Division under
MoARD and BoARD by itself is not a solution for the current seed quality problem. The
Ministry should start independent certification agency that could equally serve all seed
producers and enforce the regulations to build farmers confidence.

Another major constraint is the inefficiency of the executing agencies. There are serious
problems in implementation, although the seed sector has now better legal frameworks.
Repeated restructuring of the executing agencies created a gap and responsibilities
shared among various departments of the MoARD, which is now also being reorganized.
This weak or feeble the enforcement and serious fraudulent practices were reported by
some suppliers. It is important that the quality assurance is strengthened so as to
enforce the seed laws and prevent malpractices which have very serious repercussions
for the development of agricultural sector.

Finally harmonization of a Seed Certification System that promotes the use of common
terminologies, standards, procedures, seals and labels will guarantee the production and
sale of high quality seed across the region.
5.2. Variety evaluation, release and registration system
In 1978, the Ethiopian government convened a National Seed Council to consider the
issue of seed supply. From their recommendations the Ethiopian Seed Corporation was
founded in 1979 as a state enterprise, run through the Ministry of State Farms, Coffee,
and Tea Development (Dabi et al., 1998). In the beginning, there were no clear
procedures for evaluating which improved variety breeders had developed would be
approved for multiplication and release. The National Crop Improvement Committee
(NCIC), instrumental in founding the ESE, was also important in establishing the National
Variety Release Committees (NVRCs) in 1982 (Getinet Gebeyehu and Gebremedhin,
1999). Each major crop has its own committee, though their statutory role was not
legally defined until recently (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 2000). An NVRC is
usually chaired by a breeder, and includes agronomists, crop protection specialists and
social scientists, representing different institutions (e.g. IAR/EARO; the Ethiopian
Biodiversity Institute50; ESE; and the Ministry of State Farms, Coffee, and Tea
Development) (Agrawal and Wolde Mariam, 1995).

In Ethiopia, two steps are involved in the release of a new variety or a hybrid developed
by a breeder. These are ‐ testing the new improved variety, and registering and releasing
the variety and both steps are undertaken by the National Variety Release Committee
(NVRC) Hence, the NVRC is mandated with the task of being involved with both the
testing and release of varieties and hybrids.

The Committee is composed of breeders (4), agronomists (1), crop protection specialists
(2), research/extension (1) and socioeconomists (1) representing different research
institution and user organizations. The membership includes the EARI, Institute of Bio‐
divesity Conservation and Research (IBCR), Awassa College of Agriculture, MoARD, The
functions of the NVRC are to make decisions on variety release and related
issues,undertake periodic reviews and approve recommendations for enhancing the
system in the country. It develops guidelines and issues important formats to breeders.
The NVRC also compiles the national variety list and prepares a register book on all
released crop varieties in the country.

It is headed by a chairperson elected from among the members and an official from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development serve as its permanent secretary. The
members of the committee hold office for 3 years but the chairperson and one member
of the committee serve for 4 years to ensure the smooth transfer of activities to the new
committee. The Animal Health and Phytosanitory proces serves as the secretariat of
NVRC

Before a candidate variety is submitted to the NVRC, it must have had at least two years
of regional or national trials on‐station at three to five locations, and a one year
‘verification trial’ on‐farm, to demonstrate yield, disease‐resistance, or “other important
characteristics” (Dabi et al., 1998: 2). Once the NVRC has received this data, it elects a
technical sub‐committee to oversee a further verification trial, evaluating performance
on a 10x10m plot on‐station and two on‐farms. The committee assessing Plant height,
days to maturity, resistance to pests and other performance data that matches with
breeders data. This is to ensure that the variety meets DUS criteria for stability, as well
as for uniformity. The subcommittee also interviews the breeder in detail, particularly on
agronomy, and solicits the farmer’s views on performance relative to both a standard
(improved variety) and a local (Farmer's Variety) check, usually grown on adjacent plots.

On the basis of these assessments, the sub‐committee submits a report to the NVRC
with their recommendation or otherwise for release.

The Crops included in the variety evaluation, release and registration system/process
are:‐
 cereals (Wheat, maize both hybrids and OPVs, barley, oats, sorghum both
hybrids and OPVs, tef, rice, sunflower, mustard, linseed, rapeseed, noug, sesame,
ground nut, faba bean, field pea, chickpea, lentil, haricot bean, soy bean vetch)
 Fiber Crops (Cotton, Sisal)
 Horticultural crops Vegetable, Roots and Tubers, and Enset (Capsicum, egg plant,
Tomato, Leek, Onion, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss chard, Green
beans, Melon, Beat root, Carrot, Cassava, Sweet potato, Potato, Taro, Yam,
Garlic, Shallot, Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom (true), Cardamom (false), and Black
pepper
 Perennial crops (fruits ‐Citrus, Mango and Avocado, coffee, Enset, and tea, Straw
berry, etc.). (See Annex for the number of released varieties in the country)

Today many irrigated and rain fed horticultural crop varieties are developed both for
local and export market and are ready for release. However, the existing guideline does
not encompass these crops. Therefore, to promote stability, uniformity and distinctness
of horticultural crops and thereby strengthen their development program, these
releases a comprehensive guideline should be prepared based on the existing release
guideline. (See the National variety Release policy and Mechanism document in the
annex)

5.2.1. Conditions for Harmonizing Seed Laws and Regulations across
Regions
In the past seed laws and regulations were prepared and implemented with specific
national interests and with no or little regional interactions. Most national seed laws,
however, are replicas of each other (Louwaars, 2002; 1996) with little national flavor. To
date, with the increasing globalization of seed trade the existence of unrealistic and
inflexible national regulations become a serious impediment for regional integration.
Given broadly similar agro‐ecology, production environments, and crops at the regional
level there are opportunities for countries to pursue a more integrated regional
approach to the development of the seed sector. Such harmonized regulations and
technical procedures would facilitate the movement of varieties and seeds across
boundaries creating a regionally unified market and attract investment from the private
sector (Zewdie, 2004).

In Ethiopia, the huge volume and the rapid growth in production and demand present
has a unique opportunity for the development of seed sector and trade in varieties and
planting materials. This process could be achieved through a rapid movement of
improved planting materials. This would require uniform and harmonized policies,
regulations and, procedures for the development, release, multiplication, transfer and
exchange of improved planting materials and commodities.
Therefore, the Ethiopian draft seed laws and regulations were reviewed and prepared in
relation to the country's expressed priorities, circumstances and needs and based on
International standards. However, it should be necessary to check whether it complies
with the regional laws and regulations.


The variety evaluation and release process i.e. the time from breeders making a cross to
the improved variety being released and multiplied could take as long as 14 years. The
current official goal of the government is to streamline the process, and drastically
reduce delays in variety testing and release Therefore; this process is currently revised
by EIAR in the Institute's Business Process Engineering (BPR) study and shortened to 8‐
11 years. The other option for shortening the time of variety testing and release could
be the use of irrigation, so that variety testing could perform twice in a year.

The participation of some institutions in the NVRC was inadequate, and that late
reporting of evaluations (and poor attendance by committee members) delayed variety
release are the common problems. These issues have already been considered the new
draft law article 6.

Policies for variety identity control (DUS) are perhaps most relevant for crops that are
exported, or where there is an active seed market, such as for F1 hybrid seeds. For the
horticultural sector, where most seeds are imported, quality control clearly needs to
improve, since distributors sell impure or expired seed, which strongly impacts on the
value of the harvest to farmers

The released variety seed that was multiplied should be distributed through institutional
channels according to administrative decisions, rather than through a distribution
network in response to farmers’ expressions of seed needs. The lack of a system to
monitor the status of released varieties has hindered the feedback on performance of
released varieties. Such feedback is useful for lesson‐learning and improvement in the
quality of new varieties to be developed. Furthermore, variations, incompleteness and
sometimes absence of agronomic and morphological descriptors have often delayed the
release of candidate varieties.

Shortages of personnel and low standard office facility have affected the efficiency and
effectiveness of the NVRC to accomplish its duties and responsibilities. In addition, the
assignment of a variety developer to act as evaluator and also decision maker on a
variety has raised concern over a conflict of interest.

A strong variety release mechanism is a basis in the supply of an adequate quantity of
quality seed required for production. Therefore, strengthening the NVR office, and the
establishment of an independent body ( as mentioned in the draft law article No. 6) and
incentive(allowance or other remuneration) in short and long terms should get due
attention by the Government.
5.3. Phytosanitary measures
Seed production has to comply with numerous regulation and standards in order to
access export markets. Such regulations and standards cover such broad areas as human
and environmental heath, plant health, introduction of alien species, worker welfare and
consumer tastes (Zewdie,2004). These regulations are enforced through a number of
bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and arrangements between and among trading
partners, for example, the World Trade Organization (WTO). The fundamental
requirement of WTO’s regulation is to ensure that agricultural products are safe and
pose no risk to human, animal and plant health.

WTO’s Sanitary and phyto‐sanitrary (SPS) agreement has two main objectives: to
recognize the sovereign right of members to provide the level of health protection they
deem appropriate and ensure that SPS measures do not present unnecessary, arbitrary,
scientifically unjustifiable or disguised restrictions on international trade. SPS measures
refer to the actions taken to protect (a) human life from plant or animal‐carried
diseases, (b) animal or plant life from pest, diseases or disease‐causing organisms, (c)
human and animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or
diseases‐causing organisms in their seeds, food, beverages or feedstuffs; and (d) a
country from damage caused by entry, establishment or spread of pests.
These measures allow countries to set their own seed or food safety and animal and
plant health standards and regulations based on science and encourage members to use
international standards, guidelines and recommendations where such exist.
In Ethiopia, in 1992, a revised Plant Quarantine Regulation No. 4/1992 was issued based
upon the Plant Protection Decree No.56/1971. All imported plants and materials, which
are liable to be infested or infected with plant pests, are subjected to plant quarantine
checks. The regulation restricts the importation of some plants, plant products and
other articles without import permit duly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development. It positively contributes to MoARD's regulatory function on seed import
and/or export in checking the seed health and issuing the phyto‐sanitary certificates.
A Seed Import Permit must be obtained from the Animal and Plant health Regulatory
Directorate of the MoARD before importing seed into the country. The permit specifies
the requirements for plant health, indicating prohibitions, packaging, conditions for
release at the point of entry, and any other additional declaration with regard to pre‐
shipment treatments. Any seed consignment arriving in the country must be
accompanied by a copy of the Import Permit together with a “Phytosanitary Certificate”
which verifies that a competent authority, preferably internationally accredited in the
exporting country has examined the plant material for pests prior to leaving the country
and that the materials meets the importing country’s own phytosanitary requirements.
Without a phytosanitary certificate plant material is not allowed entry and may be
destroyed or reshipped at the owner's cost.
Phytosanitary Services (PS), often State provided, are expected to diagnose pests found
on plant materials at the point of entry, diagnose plant pest problems on samples
brought by farmers and identify pathogens and pests causing plant damage. They should
also be able to provide advice on disease and pest management strategies.
As a measure to minimize the introduction and spread of diseases and pests within the
region strict quarantine measures are required and movement of vegetative planting
materials must be through disease‐free tissue culture materials. In the current
conditions, Ethiopia can not meet the requirement because of lack of capacity in tissue
culture and quarantine services. In addition, Governments of the EAC through their
relevant institutions should develop/ strengthen capacity in pest risk analysis, detection,
identification and elimination from plant samples targeting all diseases and pests that
are of potential threat to the country. The institutions should develop a list of common
pest and disease risks from each country in the region, establish and effectively
implement standards and procedures for detecting; identifying and eliminating the pests
and diseases in plant materials should they be detected. Finally, from EACs the ISTA
accreditation is limited only to Kenya but in other neighboring countries facilities should
be accredited in shortest time in order to fasten the harmonization process.
5.4.Plant Variety Protection (Intellectual Property Rights)
Ethiopia has been an active sympathizer of farmers’ rights ever since the mid‐1980s
when the concept of farmers’ rights began to emerge. Since then, it has played a
significant role in all the negotiation processes related to farmers’ rights and access to
genetic resources. Important progress has been made in developing policy frameworks
to address the rights of communities, farmers and breeders at national level. However,
the pace toward implementing farmers’ fights has not been as significant as the role that
Ethiopia has played at the regional and global levels. (Regassa Feyissa, 2006)

Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) was established by Proclamation No 320 of
2003 to study, analyze and recommend intellectual property policies and laws. The Plant
Breeders’ Rights Proclamation (Proclamation No. 481/2006) was developed to
encourage plant breeders by offering economic rewards as incentive for their
contributions in the agricultural sector, realizing that the utilization of new plant
varieties developed through research play a significant role in improving agricultural
production and productivity.

The Proclamation also recognizes the contributions of local farmers in the conservation
and use of genetic resources that constitute the basis for breeding new varieties for
agricultural production (Art. 27). In this regard, the farmers’ rights principle as set out in
Article 27 of the Proclamation contains elements of the African Model Legislation that
are important components of farmers’ rights.

The 2006 Plant Breeders Act provides incentives for private investment in breeding,
multiplication, and distribution of improved seed
The Plant Breeders’ Rights Proclamation upholds farmers' rights to save, use, multiply,
exchange and sell farm‐saved seed of protected varieties, but they are not allowed to
sell seed protected with plant breeders’ rights. Although this proclamation provides for
farmers’ rights in a separate article, these provisions are limited to the conditions under
which farmers can use protected varieties. There is no mention of how farmers are
supported and recognized for the role they play in conserving and developing crop
genetic diversity, and how their rights to share benefits derived from the use of their
varieties are ensured.

Ethiopia’s implementation of a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) regime is provided for in
the Plant Breeders’ Right Proclamation, No. 481/2006. Though Ethiopia is not currently a
member of the World Trade Organization, it has applied and is, therefore, seeking to
bring its legal system into compliance with the Organization’s requirements, including
those of TRIPs (Robert J. Lewis‐Lettington.2008).

Ethiopia also aims to expand its horticultural trade with the European Union and is
seeking to promote plant breeding and the seed industry internally. Proclamation No.
481/2006 follows the basic structure and detail of the UPOV Convention. Though
Ethiopia. Ethiopia has also been a leading country with regard to the promotion of
community and farmers’ rights in Africa as well as internationally. However, the country
only recently adopted its own legislation in this regard. Regardless of the policy
commitments made to address farmers’ and community rights, the process of
formulating legal instruments for the implementation of the policies has been very slow.

5.5. Seed import/export documentation and procedures
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) is responsible for seed import and/or export
trade license while the MoARD is in charge of issuing the certificate of competence, a
prerequisite for issuing a trade license. According to Seed Proclamation No. 206/2000
the requirements for seed import and export include, inter alia, the following:
1. Seed importers‐exporters must be registered with MoARD to get the certificate
of competence and must have a trade license from MOTI.
2. Seed importers‐exporters are required to apply and get import‐export permit
from MoARD before importing‐exporting any seed.
3. Seed importers‐exporters must comply with the requirements of the Plant
Quarantine Service of MoARD.

In addition to the above the new draft law of Ethiopia on Import and Export of Seed
suggests the following;
1. Any variety of seed to be imported for multiplication purposes, except where
exclusively for re‐export, shall be subject to prior verification trials as
established by the VRC and shall be listed in the National Variety Register in
accordance with this Proclamation.
2. Genetically modified organisms may be imported into Ethiopia only if the
Minister receives prior assurance of their compliance with applicable
legislation from the authority designated therein.
3. No person may import or export restricted seed; or import any seed
containing terminator gene technology.
4. The Minister may, by directive, restrict the export of any variety of seed if it is
determined that such export may adversely affect Ethiopia’s food security or
any other public interest.
The organizations involved in seed import and/or export include private traders, private
producers, and public enterprises (ESE, Horticultural Development Enterprise (HDE),
NGOs, research institutions, universities and colleges. Crops usually imported or
exported are cereals, pulses, oil crops, vegetables, ornamentals, fruits, medicinal plants,
trees and shrubs.

Plant importation Permit division in Ethiopia found under the plant quarantine service
department of MoARD. According to the permit order, a seed import permit must be
obtained before importing seed into the country. The permit specifies the requirements
for country and place of origin, plant health (free from soil), indicating prohibitions,
validity of the permit and any other additional declaration with regard to pre‐shipment
treatments. Any seed consignment arriving in the country must be accompanied by a
triplicate copy of the Import Permit together with a “Phytosanitary Certificate” which
verifies that a competent authority.. Without a phytosanitary certificate plant material is
not allowed entry and may be destroyed or reshipped at the owner's cost.

Similarly, seed for export also requires the description of consignment (name and adress
of exporter, place of origin, declared point of entry botanical name of the plant), any
other additional declaration and disinfestations and/or disinfection treatment and it
must be accompanied by an export permit together with and a phytosanitary certificate
from the exporting country. (See the plant importation and re‐export permit formats in
the annex 2)

The requirements for imports and exports should be harmonized and the Pest Risk
Analysis (PRA) procedures should be conducted based on FAO guidelines. This will result
in faster seed flow across borders, and increased availability of seed varieties, which
would otherwise have restricted entry because of reasons which are not scientifically
based.
6. Conclusions
Agriculture in Ethiopia is caught in a low input‐output trap, due to partly low levels of
investment, low technology application, low capacity to afford for high input prices
(seed, fertilize, etc.). The solution needs to involve a structural change, for which major
capacity development is needed, including a quantum change in human capacity, input
supply, technology adoption, and provision of infrastructure Poverty Accelerated and
Sustainable Development Eradication Program(PASDEP), 2005). Especially, in order to
increase the production and productivity of agricultural output, the use of modern
agricultural technologies are vital, out of which fertilizer and high yielding variety of
crops are the most important technologies to increase the level of crop production.
The policy/regulatory environment, the availability of relevant agricultural technology,
the support institutions and the socio‐economic factors have a profound effect on the
development of the national seed industry (Louwaars, 2002; Turner and Bishaw, 2000;
Almekinders and Louwaars, 1999). The policy and regulatory environment defines the
organizations, functions and linkages among the institutions involved in the seed sector
and the mechanisms for coordinating the activities and monitoring the progress of the
national seed industry. To date, with the increasing globalization of seed trade the
existence of unrealistic and inflexible national regulations become a serious impediment
for regional integration. Given broadly similar agro‐ecology, production environments,
and crops at the regional level there are opportunities for countries to pursue a more
integrated regional approach to the development of the seed sector. Such harmonized
regulations and technical procedures would facilitate the movement of varieties and
seeds across boundaries creating a regionally unified market and attract investment
from the private sector. At present there are some promising developments aimed at
harmonization of regulations in East Africa and Southern Africa.
The EACs should standardize documentation and rationalize procedures that will require
plant import permit, phytosanitary certificate from source, quality certificate and
customs clearance. This will reduce time on documentation and will speed up seed
movement, thus availing seed to farmers sooner and encouraging seed trade.
7. References
Agrawal, P.K., and W. Wolde Mariam. 1995. Seed supply system in Ethiopia. Plant
Varieties and Seeds. 8: 1‐7.

Almekinders, C.J.M. and N.P. Louwaars. 1999. Farmers’ seed production. Inter‐mediate
Technology Publications Ltd, London, UK. 291 pp.

Annual reports of the Ethiopian Seed Enterprise, 2006‐2010. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Berhane Gebrekidane, Seme Debela and Ibrahim Mohamed, 2004. Development and
Application of Agricultural Technology in Ethiopia: A Discussion Paper. A discussion
paper presented on the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the
establishment of the Alemaya University, October 23 and 24, 2004.

Dabi, Gurmu, Gudissa Shaka, and Zewdie Bishaw. 1998. The Ethiopian Seed Industry.
Aleppo, Syria: WANA Seed Network, Seed Unit, ICARDA. Focus on Seed Programs No. 11.
13 pp.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. 2000. Seed Proclamation (Proclamation
No.206/2000). Addis Abeba. 25 pp.

Keeley, J., and I. Scoones. 2000. Knowledge, power and politics: the environmental
policymaking process in Ethiopia. Journal of Modern African Studies. 38 (1): 89‐120.

Louwaars, N.P. 1996. Seed legislation in developing countries: possibilities and pit‐falls
for seed system development, 77‐81. In van Amstel, H., Bottema, J.W.T., Sidik, M. and
van Santen, C.E. (eds.) Integrating seed systems for annual food crops. Proceedings of a
workshop, 24‐27 Oct 1995, Malang, Indonesia. CGPRT Center, Bogor, Indonesia. 311pp.
Louwaars, N.P. (ed.) 2002. Seed policy, legislation and law: widening a narrow focus. The
Haworth Press Incorporated, New York, USA. 260 pp.
Marco A. Quiñónes, 2010. Agriculture‐Led Development in Ethiopia. Re‐direct
institutional support from the National Agricultural Research System, Extension and
Farmers’ Organizations in order to attain sustainable, integrated agriculture and rural
development (Second draft paper).

National Seed Industry Agency. 1997. Draft seed Standards of Ethiopia. National Seed
Industry Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1997

Regassa Feyisa. 2006. Farmers' Rights in Ethiopia. A case study

Reports on area and production for major crops, 2006‐2010. Central Statistical
Agency. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Robert J. Lewis‐Lettington. 2008. International dimensions of plant variety protection
and informal seed supply in Ethiopia. In: Thijssen, M.H., Z. Bishaw, A. Beshir and W.S. de
Boef, 2008 (Eds.). Farmers, seeds and varieties: supporting informal seed supply in
Ethiopia. Wageningen, Wageningen International. 2008.
Shawn McGuire 2005. Getting Genes: Rethinking seed system analysis and reform for
sorghum in Ethiopia .

Turner, M. and Z. Bishaw. 2000. Benefits of regional collaboration in seed program
development, 649‐666. In The international conference on seed industry. Pro‐ceedings
of the international conference on seed industry, 27‐30 Mar 2000, Tripoli, Libya. General
Authority for Agriculture, Animal and Marine Wealth, Tripoli, Libya.
Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia. 2000. Bulletin on standards, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. 2000

Tripp, R. 1997b. The structure of national seed systems In R. Tripp (ed.). New Seed and
Old Laws: Regulatory reform and the diversification of national seed systems. London:
Intermediate Technology Publications. pp. 14‐42.

World Bank 2006a. Ethiopia: Policies for pro‐poor agricultural growth. Washington, DC:
World Bank.

Zewdie Bishaw. 2004. Wheat and Barley Seed Systems in Ethiopia and Syria .PsD thesis,
Wageningen university

Zewdie Bishaw, Yonas Sahlu and Belay Simane. 2008. The status of the Ethiopian seed
industry. In Thijssen, M.H., Z. Bishaw, A. Beshir and W.S. de Boef, 2008 (Eds.). Farmers,
seeds and varieties: supporting informal seed supply in Ethiopia. Wageningen,
Wageningen International. 2008

8. Annexs
Annex 1. Summary of Released/Registered varieties of crops
Number of released varieties

Crops New varities Released Total
released in 2008 before 2008
Cereal Crops 9 219 228
Tef 2 28 30
Bread wheat 0 41 41
Durum wheat 0 26 26
Triticale 0 4 4
Emmer wheat 0 2 2
Rice 0 15 15
Maize 7 33 40
Sorghum 0 30 30
Finger millet 0 6 6
Pearl millet 0 1 1
Food barley 0 25 25
Malt barley 0 8 8
Pulse Crops 13 115 128
Faba bean 2 18 20
Field pea 2 24 26
Chickpea 0 16 16
Cowpea 1 4 5
Lentil 0 8 8
Haricot bean 5 31 36
Soy bean 2 11 13
Grass pea 0 1 1
Mung bean 1 0 1
Fenugreek 0 2 2
Oil Crops 3 48 51
Noug 0 4 4
Linseed 0 8 8
Rapeseed 0 8 8
Sesame 0 12 12
Ground nut 3 13 16
Sunflower 0 1 1
Vernonia 0 1 1
Castor 0 1 1
Tubers, Roots and vegetable crops 2 77 79
Irish potato 0 23 23
Sweet potato 2 21 23
Taro 0 3 3
Number of released varieties
Crops New varities Released Total
released in 2008 before 2008
Cassava 0 2 2
Tomato 0 13 13
Garlic 0 3 3
Onion 0 3 3
Shallot 0 3 3
Sweet 0 6 6
Condiments and Medicinal Plants 1 12 13
Coriandor 1 1 2
Black pepper 0 2 2
Ginger 0 2 2
Turmeric 0 1 1
Cardammom 0 1 1
Sweet Annie 0 1 1
Citronela grass 0 1 1
Pyretrum 0 2 2
BlaCck cumin 0 1 1
Fruit Crops 7 19 26
Banana 0 12 12
Mango 0 1 1
Pine apple 1 0 1
Wine Grape 0 6 6
Avocado 6 0 6
Forage and pasture 0 9 9
Tree Lucerne 0 1 1
Elephant Grass 0 1 1
Panicum 0 1 1
Dolicos lablab 0 1 1
Phalaries 0 1 1
Trifolium 0 1 1
Vetch 0 1 1
Oats 0 1 1
Fiber Crops 1 14 15
cotton 1 14 15
Stimulant Crops 0 25 25
Coffee 0 25 25
Total 31 336 367
Annex 2 : APPLICATION FOR PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION
ON ENTRY
TO : Plant Quarantine Service
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Addis Ababa, (Ethiopia)
I
(Full Name)
Occupation :
Full Address :
requests that a phytosanitary inspection should be carried out on the consignment
described below :
Description of Consignment
Sender (Name and Address) :
Consignee (Name and Address) :
Number and description of package :
Distinguishing marks :
Origin (Country and place of dispatch) :
Means of conveyance :
Point of entry :
Date of arrival :
Contents of the package(s) :
Type of plants (fruits, seeds, tubers, etc.)
Name of plant and varieties :
Quantity :
Import permit No. :
Phytosanitary Cert. No. :
I the undersigned authorized importer declare that these plants Plant products
Growing medium will be propagated contained (preserved) at
starting the month of 200 and I agree to facilitate :
Field Herbarium Container inspection of the imported materials any time upon the request
of the Plant Quarantine Service.
Signature of Applicant
Annex 3: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Plant quarantine Service
Plant Importation Permit
Permit No._________________
Date Issued:_______________
Permission is hereby granted to___________________________________________

(Name and address of the importer)
To import from____________________________________________ the following plants/seeds/plant
parts:-
Common name Botanical name Quantity

1._____________ ________________ _____________
2. _____________ ________________ _____________
through the port(s) of ______________________________________________________
subject to the following conditions
1. country and place of origin__________________________________________
2. The consignment is subject to inspection on arrival and if necessary to treatment or destruction or
return to the country of origin, as the case warrants.
3. Plant or parts must be entirely free from soil
4. Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin together with one of this permit shall
accompany each consignment.
5. The following materials are prohibited entry as packing materials:_____________
6. Additional Declaration:____________________________________________
Note A/ This permit is valid for __________________ from the date of issue, but may be cancelled at
any time by plant quarantine service,
B / This permit is drawn up in triplicate: two copies are delivered to the importer who should send
one copy to the supplier
Date_____________
Signature____________
Annex 4: Model Phytosanitory certificate for re-export
No.____________________
Plant protection of _________________(contracting party of re-export)
To: Plant protection organization (s) of ________________(contracting party(ies) of import)
I. Description of consignment
Name and address of exporter: ___________________________.
Declared name and addresses of consignee____________________________
Number and description of Package____________________________________
Distinguishing marks ___________________________________
Places of origin: _______________________________
Declared means of conveyance:_______________________________________
Declared point of entry ____________________________________
Name of produce and quantity declared______________________________
Botanical name of plants_________________________________________
This is to certify that the plants, plant products of other regulated articles described above were
imported in to (contracting party of re-export __________________________
from___________(contracting party of origin) covered by phytosanitary certificate No.
________________.Original, Certified true copy, of which is attached to this certificate; that they
are packed, repacked in original *new containers, that based on the original phytosanitory
certificate and additional inspection they are considered to conform with the current phytosanitory
requirements of the importing contracting party, and that during storage in
______________container (contracting party of re-export), the consignment has not been subjected
to the risk of infestation or infection.
*Insert tick in appropriate boxes
II. Additional Declaration

III. disinfestation and/or Disinfection treatment
Date______________ Treatment____________ chemical (active ingredient) __________.
Duration and temperature________________________________
Concentration________________________________
Additional information__________________________________________
Place of issue________________________________________________
(Stamp of Organization) name of authorized officer_________________
Date_______________________________
(Signature)
No financial liability with respect to this certificate shall attach to___________(name of plant
protection Organization) or to any of its officers or representatives

Annex 5
NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE POLICY
AND MECHANISM

NATIONAL SEED INDUSTRY AGENCY
June, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
FOREWARD---------------------------------------------------------------------------------I
LIST OF TABLES---------------------------------------------------------------------------ii
LIST OF FORMS.---------------------------------------------------------------------------iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT------------------------------------------------------------------iv
I. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………1
II. STATURE OF THE NATIONAL VARIETY REALSE COMMITTEE
A. Background ………………………………………………………2
B. Objectives -----------------------------------------------------------------3
C. Organizational Set-up ---------------------------------------------------5
D. Composition of Committee ------------------------------------------5
E. Terms of Reference for the Chairperson ------------------------6
F. Terms of Reference for the Permanent Secretary -------------- 6
G. Terms of Office --------------------------------------------------7
H. Meeting ----------------------------------------------------------.8
III. GUIDELINE FOR RELEASING A VARIETY
A. PART ONE: FIELD CROPS ---------------------------------------------------9
A.1CONDITON FOR RELEASE -----------------------------------------------------9
A.1.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS --------------- ------------10
A.1.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURE ----------------------------------------------10
A.4 AMENDEMENT -----------------------------------------------------------------12

B. PART TWO: HORTICULTURAL CROPS ------------------------------20
B.1 ANNUAL HORTICULTURAL CROPS (VEGETABLE S) ------ ----20
B.1.1 CONDITON FOR RELEASE ------------------------------------------------20
B.1.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ……………..-----------------------------21
B.1.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURE----------------------------------------------22
B.1.4 AMENDEMENT--------------------------------------------------------------23
B.2 PERRENIAL HORTICULTURAL CROPS (FRUITS ) ……….....-31
B.2 1. CONDITON FOR RELEASE--------------------------------------------31
B.2.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ………………------------------------32
B.2.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURE -----------------------------------------33
B.2.4 AMENDEMENT ----------------------------------------------------------35
IV.QUANTITIES OF BREEDER’S SEED/PLANTING MATERIALS
REQUIRED………………………………………………….…….42
V. VARIETY EVALUATION AND REPORT GUIDELINES-----43
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
TABLE 1. Minimum quantities of breeder’s seed of field crops required in seed stock-----
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-19
TABLE 4. Minimum quantities of breeder’s seed of horticultural crops required in seed
stock --------------------------------------------------------------------------29-30
LIST OF FORMS
Forms
FORM-FC--A-1 to 5 Application for release of varieties of various field crops (FC)-----
....................................................................................................................13-17
FORM- VC-B1-1 to 5. Application for release of varieties of various vegetable crops,

root and tubers and enset(VC)-------------------------------------------24 - 28
FORM- FRC-B2-1 to 6. Application for release of varieties of various fruit crops

(FRC)………..........................................................................................36 - 41
THE NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE POLICY

I. INTRODUCTIOON
In Ethiopia, research and higher learning institutions with the support and/or collaboration
with government and private organizations are engaged in research geared to
development of varieties of various crops in order to increase productivity per unit area.
The development of new varieties per se and their utilization by farmers in the production
system follows specific procedures in most countries. Some countries have a rigorous
testing system and variety-releasing mechanism before the newly developed variety is
made available to farmers. Other countries have no such mechanism that the varieties
developed could be distributed to farmers by the researchers. The former system is most
widely used. It is more reliable, safe and suitable to an agrarian country like Ethiopia
where high productivity of crops has tremendous impact on the economy of the nation.
Hence, the need for establishing basic rules and regulations as well as a mechanism
governing the release of important varieties or hybrids is unprecedented. The necessary
steps involved, the need for a sub-committee and inclusion of additional criteria need
special emphasis in testing and release of varieties under Ethiopian context.
 STEPS IN THE RELEASE OF A VARIETY
Two steps are involved in the release of a new variety or a hybrid developed by a breeder.
These are - testing the new improved variety, and registering and releasing the variety.
Though different countries have different approaches in carrying out these steps, in
Ethiopia both steps are undertaken by the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC)
Hence, the NVRC is mandated with the task of being involved with both the testing and
release of varieties and hybrids.
 A SUB-COMMITTEE
In view of the high number of requests made by breeders for testing and release of
varieties of different crops the need for a sub-committee was sought essential. Therefore,
a sub-committee will be organized/formed that will be accountable/responsible to the
NVRC. Members of the sub-committee for the respective crops shall be strictly
professionals assigned from different public, private and non-governmental institution in
the country. A standing member of the NVRC will be assigned by the NVRC as
chairperson for each sub-committee.
 ADDITIONAL CRITERIA
In many instances the important criteria that are considered in testing and release of a
variety are simple yield performances and reaction to diseases. It is however essential and
pertinent that criteria that reflects the chemical composition of seed, and produces as the
case may be, should be considered in the evaluation exercises. Hence the mechanism for
testing seeds for specific quality such as malting quality, fiber quality, oil content and
others should be developed. The inclusion of these criteria will contribute to making the
final decision more complete and hence reliable.
It is therefore with such noble notion that this guideline is prepared by the NSIA in order
to safeguard the distribution and proper utilization of released seeds breeds of different
crops in the national agricultural production system.
II. STATURE OF THE NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE COMMITTEE

A. BACKGROUND
The need for the establishment of sound mechanism for variety releases that will safe
guard the production system and assure standardized practice is indisputable. This was
expressed in different fora and as a result, an ad-hoc committee that was elected by the
National Crop Improvement Conference (NCIC) in 1980 created the National Variety
Release Committee (NVRC) in 1982. The terms of reference and guidelines of the NVRC
were developed by the ad-hoc committee.
B. OBJECTIVES
General Objective
The general objective of the NVRC shall be to test, approve or release and register the
new variety or hybrid developed by a breeder in order to assure the high standard and
quality of the improved variety and safeguard the interest of the farmers and other users,
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the National Variety Release Committee are presented as
follows.
1. To review the data supporting the release of a new hybrid or variety.
2. To determine the uniqueness and production potential of the variety under
Ethiopian condition.
3. To provide the mechanism for approval and proper release of varieties and
hybrids.
4. To register the released variety and hybrid.
FUNCTIONS
The functions of the National Variety Release Committee shall be: -
1. To approve the release of hybrids and/or varieties developed by
governmental and private institutions.
2. To provide appropriate forms to the breeder to effect the release of a
variety or hybrid. The release of a variety dependence upon distinctness
and the availability of a reasonable quantity of breeders seed of a variety
or seed of the parents of hybrids to the NSIA adequate enough to generate
basic seed (Refer Table 1). Release is also dependent on the provision by
the breeder or the institution which developed the variety a descriptive
information regarding the distinguishing characteristics of the released
varieties or hybrids (morphological, physiological, biochemical etc.) and
the parents of varieties or hybrids (origin, pedigree) including
performance.
3. To review and evaluate the data provided by the breeder and decide
whether or not the variety or hybrid can be released.
4. To formally notify the appropriate individuals and agencies that the variety
or hybrid has or has not been released. To compile and provide published
information of released varieties and hybrids on the basis of the descriptive
information provided by the breeder or the institution responsible for
developing the variety regarding the distinguishing characteristics of the
released varieties and hybrids (morphological, physiological, biochemical
etc.) and parents of hybrids, (origin, pedigree) including performance.
5. To determine and assign responsibilities to appropriate institutions
or agencies for maintenance of breeders’ seed.
6. To obtain seed of the newly released varieties or hybrids from the
breeder or the institution that developed them and provide it to the Institute
of Biodiversity Conservation Research for long-term storage and
maintenance.
7. To take appropriate action to recall and remove obsolete varieties and
hybrids from the list of those eligible for seed certification when and if
sufficient information is available.
8. To register released varieties and hybrids and maintains an up to date list
(National Seed Registry) and publish such a list annually along with their
characteristics and recommended ecological zones of production for each
entry. To provide the above information (8) to the national seed and other
appropriate data bases and maintain an up to date cross institutional data base
linkage.
9. To review and standardize varietal and hybrid naming procedures used in the
country.
10. To give periodic review and status report through the secretary to the National
Seed Industry Agency.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL SET-UP
The National Variety Release Committee will function under the organizational set-up of
the National Seed Industry Agency. The Agency shall provide an office for the Permanent
Secretary.
D. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE
The committee shall be composed of high professional calibers from different concerned
agricultural institutions. The committee members will be selected by the National Seed
Industry Agency. The committee will consist of:
Breeders 1 = 2; Agronomist/Physiologist = 1; Entomologist =1;
Pathologist = 1; Economist = 1; Research/Extensionist = 1; Food scientist
=1; Seed technologist = 1; Private seed produsers representative = 1:
Farmers union representative =1; permanent secretary(NSIA) = 1;and
public sector representative.
The committee members shall be representatives from the following
institutions/organizations
1. Ministry of Agriculture
2. National Seed Industry Agency
3. Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization
4. Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and Research.
5. Coffee and Tea Development Authority
6. Higher Education Institutions/ universities and colleges
7. Other relevant organizations/institutions
Office Holders of the Committee
A chairperson and permanent secretary shall represent the Committee.
1
Breeders working on different crop and on crops having different pollination habits will preferably be
chosen.
E. CHAIRPERSON
The National Variety Release Committee shall have a chairperson elected from among
the professional members. The chairperson shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
 Directs the activities of the Committee and preside over all of its meetings.
 Directs, guides and makes decisions on aspects of variety release meetings
and other related matters.
 Attends the Board’s meeting of the Ethiopian Seed Industry and provides
periodic review and status report on the activities of the Committee.
 Directs and guides the overall activity of the National Variety Release
Committee according to the rules and regulations approved by the National
Seed Industry Council.
 He/she shall step down temporarily when a crop that he/she is involved in,
is presented for release either at the ad-hoc committee or NVRC levels.
F. PERMANENT SECRETARY
The Permanent Secretary shall be an employee of the Agency. Part of his assignment
shall be to serve in the Seed Quality Control and Certification Team under the National
Seed Industry Agency. The Permanent Secretary is also envisaged to serve as a nucleus
towards establishing an independent Testing Agency in the future when conditions such
as human-power, facilities and other requirements are available.
Duties and responsibilities of the permanent secretary are presented as follows:

Make periodic review of the NVRC to assess its activities, make proposals and
develop strategies for improvement including the establishment of an independent
Testing Agency when appropriate and present these to the NVRC for approval and
adoption.
Give guidelines developed by the NVRC and issue necessary formats to breeders
and institutions involved in the development and multiplication of new varieties
and hybrids.
Receive requests for the release of new varieties and hybrids from breeders and
other institutions and give the appropriate response in consultation with the
NVRC Chairperson.
With the chairperson of the NVRC he shall form and assign a sub-committee to
evaluate the proposed variety or hybrid for release in accordance to the timetable
request of the breeder.
Prepare trip schedules and notify in time standing member institutions and other
members of the evaluation team. Organize the trip and make all the necessary
arrangements including the provision of transport vehicles and notifying the
arrival date of the sub-committee team at the breeder.
Make the necessary arrangements with appropriate foreign and local institutions
(ENI, AAU, ESTIA etc) to conduct quality tests such as oil content, cooking,
baking, malting or fiber quality for varieties and hybrids proposed for release.
Deliver the materials to be tested to the testing institutions.
Collect and compile reports from the evaluation sub-committees team leader and
in the evaluation and testing of varieties proposed for release. Organize the data
and compile a report to present to the NVRC for its deliberations regarding the
release of varieties and hybrids.
Serve as rapporteur to the NVRC during all of its deliberations and keep the
necessary records and minutes.
Compile a list of all the varieties released along with their distinguishing
characteristics and other essential publications related to the National Variety
Release Committee.
Follow up any other activity as deemed necessary by the National Variety Release
Committee.
G. TERMS OF OFFICE
The terms of office for the NVRC members shall be three years. However the chairperson
and permanent secretary and one member of the committee, selected by the existing
Committee, shall serve for four years in order to insure continuity and smooth transition
of the NVRC activity when new members are elected. Members are eligible for re-
election for unlimited terms.
H. MEETING
The National Variety Release Committee shall have two meetings, one each for highland
and lowland crops, per year to release varieties and to deliberate on issues related to
variety release. However, it can meet more than one time if necessary
III. VARIETY RELEASE GUIDELINE FOR FIELD CROPS AND
HORTICULTURAL CROPS
A. PART ONE: FIELD CROP
RATIONALE
The ultimate goal of producing quality crops is primarily based on the development of
superior cultivars fitting to the different production systems. This however, requires
scrupulous scrutiny of germplasms by the breeder and other researchers. An effective
variety releasing guideline for crops is therefore indisputable. The current variety release
guideline has been in use for over two decades now and hence the need for revision
and/or amendment of its contents was found essential and timely.
A. I. CONDITION FOR RELEASE

A.1.1 The new variety must show excellent performance in sufficient number of tests in
comparison with the standard cultivar (s) grown in the ecological zone(s) where it is
intended to be used.
A.1.2 The variety should be tested for yield, disease reaction and other important
characteristics for a minimum of two to three years in Regional or National Variety Trials
at least in 3 to 4 locations.
A.1.3 The variety to be released should be uniform, stable and distinctly superior to the
existing commercial cultivar(s) grown in the area in one or more characteristics important
for the crop, and is satisfactory in other major requirements. However, when there are no
adequate number of released cultivars of a particular crop, the NVRC may consider
releasing a variety even if its is not superior to existing cultivars, without compromising
the requirements of the grower.
A.1.4 The new variety/varieties should be planted along with the established local or
improved cultivar(s) as the case may be in relatively large plots (at least 100 m2 at 2 to 3
sites). One of the sites should be on station and the other two on farm verification trials
during the anticipated year of release for assessment by NVRC.
A.1.5 Prior to preparing proposals for release of varieties, the researcher should consult
with commodity leader and other concerned researchers. The consensus reached on the
merits of the variety should be communicated to the NVRC.
A.2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Release requests should be accompanied by:
A. 2.1 Complete morphological description of candidate varieties
A.2.2 Appropriate data to support recommendations-yield, agronomic data, disease

reaction and other supporting data for individual locations and years should be presented
in addition to the summaries. Care should be taken to include performance of appropriate
checks. Other relevant data on important characteristics for local consumption, industry,
export market, as the case may be should also be supplied e.g. canning quality (haricot
bean) oil content (oil seeds), cooking time (faba bean), protein content (malting barley)
etc.
A.2.3 Three completed copies each of the variety release request form and a year x
location data summary of the recommended entries, these must be submitted to the
committee chairman before May 30 each year.
A.2.4 A list of locations to be visited with the suggested dates of visit.
A.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURE

A.3.1 The NVRC through its chairman appoints a sub-committee composed of NVRC
members and other relevant specialists to report on varietal performance after examining
the submitted data and field visits. The evaluation report from the sub committee is
expected to cover:
. Performance data evaluation
. Field performance evaluation
. General comments
. Recommendation
A.3.2 In any one season no more than three varieties per crop should be proposed for
release under the same agro-ecological zone in the coming years unless sufficient written
justification is given for such action. Moreover, varieties once rejected by the NVRC
should not be repeatedly put in verification and proposed for release in the coming years
unless sufficient written justification is given for such action.
A.3.3 Variety release proposals should be submitted to the committee Chairman by May
30 of each year. Actions to place varieties on the release list will be taken at the
November/December meeting of the NVRC. The breeder submitting the variety or
varieties for release may be called to appear in person before the NVRC to answer
enquiries regarding the proposal. Decisions reached by the committee will be reported at
the NVRC in April the following year.
A.3.4 A new variety should be assigned a permanent designation by the breeder/team
(preferably a short local name) after it has been approved for release. This is a pre-
condition for release. A variety should not be distributed under more than one name.
Provisionally released variety should be planted in the following year on one hectare plot
at the ESE farm and another suitable site chosen by the breeder for final inspection by the
NVRC.
A.3.5 The breeder or institution responsible for developing varieties that have been
approved for release would be expected to maintain an appropriate quantity of the breeder
and basic seed for use in replenishing and restoring commercial seed of the variety to the
desired genetic purity.
A.3.6 Obsolete varieties arising from genetic deterioration, loss of resistance to diseases,
or a breakdown in resistance/tolerance to a condition the candidate cultivar was
developed for will be communicated to the NVRC by the users (breeders, extension
agents, state farms) for the appropriate action.
A.3.7 A new variety should be assigned a permanent designation by the breeder/team
condition for registration. A variety should not be distributed under more than one name.
The proposed name(s) can be rejected by NVRC for valid reason.
A.3.8 Up to three cultivars of a crop could be proposed for release for the same agro-
ecology for the same purpose. Moreover, varieties once rejected by the NVRC should not
be repeatedly put in verification and proposed for release under the same agro-ecology for
the same purpose.
A. 4. AMENDMENT
The field crops variety release guideline will be subjected to amendment/revision
as deemed necessary
NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE COMMITTEE
Field Crops Variety Release Request Form
(To be filled in triplicate)
A.1. Name and address of researcher/institution responsible for developing the cultivar
(s).
______________________________________________________________
A.2 Research commodity/project

______________________________________________________________
A.3 Crop (with Latin name)

______________________________________________________________
A.4 Variety designation (breeder’s reference)

______________________________________________________________
A. 5. Background of the material including origin and pedigree

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
A. 6 Main positive feature(s) of the variety which make it an improvement to those in

current use. Indicate also shortcomings, which may restrict its use in some areas:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
A.7 Test years and locations providing data for this assessment:
Year 1. ___________ No. of location__________No. of varieties in

trial______________
Year 2. ___________ No. of location _________ No. of varieties in
trial_____________
Year 3. ___________ No. of location _________ No. of varieties in trial
Regions /locations where trials were conducted
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
A. 8. Results
A. 8.1Annex yield and other relevant agronomic data
otal yield of the variety as percent of check in trial_____
A.8.2 This variety required (kg/ha) N___________, P___________, K _________
______________________________________________________________
fertilizer to achieve this yield.
A.8.3 The trials received / did not received irrigation. (circle one)
A.8.4 Pesticide applied, was not applied (circle one).

Indicate type, chemical name and rate/ha.
______________________________________________________________
A.8.5. Resistance to disease insects and other hazards (e.g. cold, heat, drought, and
salinity). Explain scoring system and classify resistance in comparison with
standard check.
______________________________________________________________
Disease/insects Local Standard Proposed
and other hazard check check variety
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
A.8.6 Qualities of products like acceptability, nutritional value/quality, utilization aspects

etc. Provide other information relevant to the crop.
NSIA
FORM-FC-A-4
A. 9. Main morphological characteristics which distinguish this variety
Morphological characteristics Measurement or description
A.9. Recommended ecological zones of adaptation

____________________________________________________________________
A.10 Source of seed. Indicate which institution or organization is maintaining breeder's
seed.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
A.11 Other remarks:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
A.12 Main contributors for the release of the variety:
Name Institution Profession

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
I the undersigned attest by my signature that the information given is true to the best of
my knowledge.
I, hereby, apply to the National Variety Release Committee for the release and
registration of this/these
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Name ________________________________________ Signature________________

Position _____________________
Institution/Center ____________________
Institution/Center Manager_______________________
(Official Seal for approval) ___________________
Date ___________________
Table A1. Minimum quantity of Breeder's seed of field crops required in seed stock
Breeder's seed Breeder's Nucleus cold

Cereals Seed stock class* required/variety** storage/variety***
(kg) (kg)
Wheat New release 250.0
Renewal stock 250.0 8.0
Barley New release 100.0 6.0
(Malt) Renewal stock 100.0
Barley New release (regional 100.0
or national)
Oats New release 6.0 0.5
Hybrids Maize Inbred parents By arrangement
Note: Inbred parents only
Sorghum will be multiplied and
cold stored till needed
Sunflower by users
Maize open Composites/synthetics
pollinated Per cycle 5.0
Early maturing 10.0 2.0
Medium maturing 20.0 3.0
Late maturing 5.0
Sorghum open Lowland 80 days 100.0 1.0
pollinated Lowland 100 days 50.0 1.0
Lowland 120 days 20.0 1.0
Lowland 150 days 20.0 1.0
Tef New release or 1.5 0.5
national
*, ** and *** indicate seed stock class, required breeder’s seed and required breeder’s
nucleus seed in cold storage, respectively. A brief description of each is given in the
annex on pages 44
Table A1. continued
Oil Crops & Pulses Seed Stock Class Breeder's seed Breeder's Nucleus
requirement/variety cold storage/variety
(kg) (kg)
New release 0.5 1.0
Mustard Renewal stock
New release 3.0 3.0
Linseed Renewal stock
New release 0.5 1.0
Rapeseed Renewal stock 1.0 1.0
New release 1.0 0.5
Noug Renewal stock 1.0 0.5
New release 1.0 0.5
Sesame Renewal stock 1.0 0.5
Sunflower open New release 0.5 1.0
pollinated Renewal stock 10.0 1.0
New release 50.0 10.0
Groundnut Renewal stock 50.0 10.0
Fababean New release 100 25.0
Renewal stock 100
Field pea New release 13.0 2.5
Chickpea New release
New release 10.0 2.0
Lentil Renewal stock 15.0 2.0
Haricot bean New release 10.0 2.5
Soybean New release 10.0 1.5
Vetch New release
B. PART TWO: HORTICULTURAL CROPS
RATIONALE
The ultimate goal of producing quality crops is primarily based on the development of
superior cultivars fitting to the different production systems. This however, requires
scrupulous scrutiny of germplasms by the breeder and other researchers. To that effect the
need for an effective variety releasing guideline for crops is also found unequivocal.
Today many irrigated and rain fed horticultural crop varieties are developed both for local
and export market and are ready for release. However, the existing guideline does not
encompass these crops. Therefore, to promote stability, uniformity and distinctness of
horticultural crops and thereby strengthen their development program, these release
guidelines are prepared based on the existing field crops’ release guideline (cereal, pulses,
oil crops, etc.) as Sections A and B of Part Two. Section A covering vegetables, root and
tubers and Section B the perennial crops (fruits, coffee, tea, ensete etc.) as part of the
responsibility of the National Seed Industry Agency (NSIA).
B.1 VEGETABLE CROPS, ROOTS AND TUBERS, AND ENSET
B.1.1 CONDITION FOR RELEASE.

B.1.1.1The new variety must show an improvement in sufficient number of tests in
comparison with the standard or local cultivars grown in the agro-ecological zone(s)
where it is intended to be used.
B.1.1.2 The variety should be tested for yield, diseases, insect pests, and other important
characteristics for a minimum of two years in the respective agro-ecological zones in at
least two locations.
B.1.1.3 The variety to be released should be uniform, stable and distinctly superior to the
existing standard or local cultivar (s) grown in the area in one or more characteristics
important for the crop and is satisfactory in other major requirements.
However, when there are no adequate number of released cultivars of a particular crop,
the NVRC may consider releasing a variety even if its is not superior to existing cultivars,
without compromising the requirements of the grower.
B.1.1.4 The new variety/varieties should be planted along with the established local or
standard cultivar(s) (as the case may be) in relatively large plots (at least 50 m2 replicated
twice or 100 m2) at least in three sites. One of the sites should be on station and the other
two on farm verification trials during the anticipated year of release for assessment by the
NVRC.
B.1.1.5 Prior to preparing for release of varieties the researcher should consult with
program leader and other concerned researchers. The consensus reached on the merits of
the variety should be communicated to the NVRC.
B.1.1.6 A new variety should be assigned a permanent designation by the breeder/team

(preferably) a short local name after it has been approved for release. This is a pre-
The proposed name (s) can be rejected by NVRC for valid reason.
B.1.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Variety release request should be accompanied by:
B.1.2.1 Complete morphological description of candidate variety (s);

B.1.2..2 Appropriate data to support recommendations like yield, agronomic data,
diseases, insect pest reactions and other supporting data for each locations and years.
Other relevant data on important characteristic for local consumption, industry, export
market, as the case may be, e.g. canning quality ( tomato, carrot, (etc.), cooking time
(potato, sweet potato, etc.), total soluble solids (tomato, onion, shallot, etc.), pungency
(shallot, pepper, etc.), oleoresin (pepper, ginger, etc.), color (tomato, pepper, shallot,
potato, sweet potato, etc.) should be supplied.
B.1.2.3 Three completed copies for candidate variety/varieties release request form and a
year X location data summary of the recommended entries which must be submitted to
the Secretariat Office of NVRC before Ginbot 30 for rain fed crops and before
Meskerem 30 for irrigated crops. A list of locations to be visited with the suggested dates
of visit should be communicated and confirmed at least one week before the date of
evaluation. Actions to place varieties on the released list will be taken at the
Yekatit/Megabit meeting of the NVRC. The breeder submitting the variety or varieties
for release may be called to appear in person before the NVRC to answer queries
regarding the proposal. Decisions reached by the committee will be reported at the
National Agricultural Research and Development Forum.
B.1.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURES

B. 1.3.1 The NVRC appoints a sub-committee composed of NVRC members and other
relevant professionals to report on varietal performance after examining the
submitted data and field visits. The evaluation report from the sub-committee is
expected to cover: -
 Research data evaluation
 Verification trials evaluation
 General comments
 Recommendation
B. 1.3.2 No more than three varieties per crop should be proposed for release for a given
agro-ecology in any one season. Moreover, varieties once rejected by the NVRC
should not be repeatedly put in verification and proposed for release under the
same agro-ecology for the same purpose.
B.1.3.3 Provisionally released varieties should be planted in the following year on 1,000
m2 at two appropriate sites for final inspection by the NVRC. If not planted within the
coming two years, it will lose its provisional status but could be considered as a new entry
in another variety trial.
B.1.3.4 Varieties recommended for "repeat" if not tested within the coming two years will
lose its repeat status but could be considered as a new entry in another variety trial.
B.1.3.5 The breeder or institution responsible for developing varieties that have been
approved for release would maintain an appropriate quantity of the breeder and basic seed
for use in replenishing and restoring commercial seed of the variety to the desired genetic
purity.
B.1.3.6 Obsolete varieties or otherwise arising from genetic deterioration, loss of

resistance to diseases, etc. will be recommended by the NVRC to be discontinued from
production list when it is reported by the users (breeders, extension agents, state farms
etc).
B.1.4 AMENDMENT
This Annual Horticultural Crops Variety Release Guideline will be subjected to
amendment/revision as deemed necessary.
NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE COMMITTEE.
Application for variety release/registration of vegetables, root and tubers and enset crops
B.1. 1 Name and address of researcher/institution responsible for developing the cultivar
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B.1.2 Research commodity
______________________________________________________________
B1.3 Crop (with Latin name)

______________________________________________________________
B1.4 Variety designation (breeder’s reference)

______________________________________________________________
B.1.5 Background of the material including origin and pedigree

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
A.1.6 Main positive feature(s) of the variety which make it an improvement to those in
current use. Indicate also shortcomings, which may restrict its use in some areas:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B1.7 Test years and locations providing data for this assessment:
Year 1._______No. Of location_________ _No. of varieties in

trial______________
Year 2._______No. of location ___________ No. of varieties in
trial_____________
Year 3. ______No. of location ___________ No. of varieties in trial
_____________
Regions /locations where trials were conducted

_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1..8 Results
B1.8.1 Annex yield and other relevant agronomic data
B1. 8.2 Total yield of the variety as percent of check in trial_____
NSIA
FORM-VC-B1-3
B1.8.3 This variety required (kg/ha) N___________, P___________, K _________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1.8.4 The trials received / did not received irrigation. (circle one)
B1.8.5 Pesticide applied, was not applied (circle one).

Indicate type, chemical name and rate/ha.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1..8.6 Resistance to disease insects and other hazards (e.g. cold, heat, drought, salinity).
Explain scoring system and classify resistance in comparison with standard check.
______________________________________________________________
Disease/insects Local Standard Proposed
and other hazard check check variety
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1.8.7 Qualities of products like acceptability, nutritional value, TSS, utilization

aspects etc. Provide other information relevant to the crop.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1..8.8 Main morphological characteristics which distinguish this variety
Morphological characteristics Measurement or description
B1..9. Recommended ecological zones of adaptation

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
B1.10. Source of seed or planting materials. Indicate which institution or organization is

maintaining breeder's seed.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B1..11. Other remarks:
____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
B1.12. Main contributors for the release of the variety:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
my knowledge.
I, hereby, apply to the National Variety Release Committee for the release and
registration of this/these
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Name ________________________________________ Signature________________

Position _____________________
Institution/Center ____________________
Institution/Center Manager__________________________
(Official Seal for approval) ___________________
Date ___________________
Table 1. Minimum quantity of breeder's seed of some horticultural crops required in seed stock
Breeder's seed Breeder's Nucleus

Vegetable Crop Seed stock class* required/variety cold storage/variety
(kg) ** (mg) ***
Capsicum New releases 0.7 60
Renewable stock 1.0 60
Egg plant New releases 0.7 60
Tomato New releases 0.3 50
Leek New releases 4.0 500
Onion New releases 4.0 500
Cabbage New releases 0.7 100
Cauliflower New releases 0.7 100
Lettuce New releases 0.7 100
Spinach New releases 8.0 2000
Swiss chard New releases 8.0 2000
Green Beans New releases 80.0 1600
Melon New releases 3.0 400
Beet root New releases 8.0 2000
Carrot New releases 4.0 500
Cassava New releases 1000 cutting TBA *
Renewable stock 1200 cutting TBA
*, ** and *** -do-
Table B1. Continued

1
Vegetable Crop Seed stock class Breeder's seed Breeder's Nucleus
requirement /variety cold storage/variety
(kg)
Potato New releases 2000 TBA2
Renewable stock 2500
Sweet potato* New releases 25000 TBA
Renewable stock 30000 TBA
Taro New releases 12500 TBA
Yam New releases 12500 TBA
Garlic New releases 600 TBA
Shallot New releases 1200 TBA
Ginger New releases TBA
Renewable stock TBA
Turmeric New releases TBA
Renewable stock TBA
Cardamom (true) New releases TBA
Renewable stock TBA
Cardamom (false) New releases TBA
Renewable stock TBA
Black paper New releases TBA
Renewable stock TBA
1
Breeder seed requirement for perennial crops will be arranged with the
appropriate researcher.
2
TBA = To be arranged with Institute of Bio-Diversity Conservation and Research and the
appropriate researcher.
* Softwood cuttings
B. PERENNIAL CROPS (fruits, coffee and tea )

B.2.1 CONDITION FOR RELEASE
B.2.1.1 The proposed cultivar must show an improvement over existing or currently
recommended cultivar (s) in one or more economic characters (yield,
resistance/tolerance to diseases, pests, soil problems, fruit color, aroma, flavor,
storability, juice/pulp, quality, maturity periods, propagation capability, high
range of adaptability, hardiness, etc.). Other characters should however be
comparable to the existing cultivars, if not superior.
B.2.1.2 The character(s) for which the candidate cultivar is to be released should be tested
against the existing 'standard' local cultivar in the case of indigenous species (e.g. coffee,
enset etc.) and against already established commercial cultivars if the new proposed
cultivar is an exotic crop (e.g. citrus, grapes, etc). In the absence of a standard cultivar for
a particular crop, the cultivar with the highest coverage will be considered as the standard
for that particular growing environment (e.g. citrus in Upper Awash). When such
established cultivars are not available, NVRC may still consider releasing and registering
the candidate cultivar, in the interests of the production sector.
B.2.1.3 The candidate cultivar should be tested for all relevant characters such as
disease/pest resistance/tolerance and susceptibility against the standard cultivar or on
internationally accepted screening systems and parameters.
B.2.1.4 At least two years production data should be provided for any crop in the
respective agro-ecological zones in at least two locations.
B.2.1.5 The cultivar proposed for release should be distinct, stable and uniform.
B.2.1.6 In view of the prolonged growth habit of perennial crops it is mandatory to

design the initial trial program in such a way that variety trial evaluation plots will be
used for verification purpose of promising varieties for release. The candidate cultivar
should be established together with recommended cultivars /clones/ propagules /graft
combinations replicated 3 times for every agro-ecological region. Hence the plot size for:
B.2.1.6.1 Large plants (citrus, mango, avocado etc.) shall be 144 to 330 m2 or 4 plants per
plot.
B.2.1.6.2 Intermediate plants (papayas, coffee, enset etc.) shall be 40-100 m2 or 8 plants
per plot.
B.2.1.6.3 Small plants (strawberry, etc.) shall be about 16 m2 or 30 plants per plot.
B.2.1.7 In the case of papaya data of 3 locations for one year will be submitted for NVRC
and its performance will be evaluated in the following year and later, yield and other data
of the second year will be submitted for final approval.
B2.1.8 For enset, complete morphological and yield data of the screening trial will be
presented at the time of request for evaluation. In addition the performance of advanced
clones (variety trial) will be evaluated just before harvest and yield and qualitative data
will be presented to NVRC for appropriate action .The most appropriate period for
inspection shall be communicated to the NVRC, at the time the application is made for
release/ registration.
B.2.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Release requests should be accompanied by the following:
B.2.2.1 Complete morphological description of candidate cultivar (s) should be provided

by each breeder/researcher/organization to enable identification. If possible suitable
plates, drawings and photographs may accompany each application.
B.2.2.2 Candidate cultivar should be free of serious diseases and insect pests at the
breeders' or nucleus source of seed/ bud wood / propagule / clone supply. A document to
that effect should be attached.
B.2.2.3 Adequate data in support of the application with respect to quantitative and
qualitative characters, under each location and number of years tested, should be
provided. These data should give a valid comparison with the standard cultivar or local
check if available.
B.2.2.4 Three completed copies for each candidate variety/varieties release request form
and a year location data summary of the recommended entries must be submitted to the
Secretariat Office of the NVRC before Ginbot 30 for rainfed crops and before Meskerem
30 for irrigated crops each year. Actions to place varieties on the released list will be
taken at the Yekatit /Megabit meeting of the NVRC. The breeder submitting the variety
or varieties for release may be called to appear in person before the NVRC to answer
queries regarding the proposal. Decisions reached by the committee will be reported at
the National Agricultural Research Review and Development Forum.
B.2.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURES

B.2. 3.1 The NVRC through its chairman appoints a sub-committee composed of NVRC
members and other relevant professionals to report on varietal performance after
examining the submitted data and field visits. The evaluation report from the sub-
committee is expected to cover: -
 Research data evaluation
 Verification trials evaluation
 General comments
 Recommendation
B. 2.3.2 Breeder's maintenance plots, for scions and rootstock research institution or other
organization should establish foundation or nucleus multiplication blocks. This
will ensure a steady supply of material to the production sector. The commercial
nursery/seed increase cooperator/ agency is the final and crucial bridge between
the plant breeder and the grower.
B.2.3.3 Seed gardens (foundation), nucleus scion wood and rootstock mother plantations,
colonial and propagate foundation blocks have to be maintained and made available for
periodic inspections by the NVRC or delegated specialists after a cultivar is registered
and released provisionally or otherwise.
B.2.3.4 A perennial crop should be provisionally released if there is an urgent need to

develop an exotic crop that has shown sufficient potential in the period stipulated even
though comparisons are not possible in the short term.
B.2.3.5 Provisionally released varieties due to suspicion of disease or other problems

should be further inspected within the following two years by the NVRC.
B.2.3.6 Registering with NVRC should formally regularize cultivars, which have been in
commercial productions prior to the establishment of this guideline.
B.2.3.7 A new variety should be assigned a permanent designation by the breeder/team
The proposed name(s) can be rejected by NVRC for valid reason.
B.2.3.8 Up to three cultivars of a crop could be proposed for release for the same agro-
ecology for the same purpose. Moreover, varieties once rejected by the NVRC should not
be repeatedly put in verification and proposed for release under the same agro-ecology for
the same purpose.
B.2.3.9 A breakdown in resistance/tolerance to a condition the candidate cultivar was

developed for, should be communicated to the NVRC by the users. If this occurs the
NVRC will take appropriate action.
B.2.4 AMENDMENTS
This Perennial Crops Variety Release Guideline will be subjected to
amendments/revision as deemed necessary.
NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE COMMITTEE

Application for variety release/registration/ of perennial horticultural crops
B.1. Name and address of researcher/ institute responsible for developing the cultivar
B.2. Research commodity ____________________________________________
B.2. Name of crop (with Latin Name)___________________________________
B.3. Variety designation (breeders reference) _____________________________
B.4. Origin of cultivar
Information on origin and pedigree, mode of reproduction. (Hybrid/open
pollinated, seedling/bud sprout/clone/selection/imported/unknown)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.5. Recommended ecological zones of adaptation.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.6. Main positive feature(s) of the variety which make it superior to those in current
use. Indicate also shortcomings, which may restrict its use in some areas:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
B.7. Input Required

B.7.1 This variety required (kg/ha) __________(N), ________(P),____________(K)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B.7.2 The trials (received) (did not receive) irrigation (circle one)
B.7.3 Pesticide applied, not applied (circle one). Indicate type, chemical name and
rate/ha.
Type Name Rate
__________________ ________________ ________________
__________________ ________________ _________________
__________________ ________________ _________________
B.8 Test years and locations providing data for this assessment:
Year 1.________No. of location______ No. of varieties in trial_____
Year 2.________No. of location _______No. of varieties in trial_____
Year 3. _______No. of location _______No. of varieties in trial _
Regions/locations where trials were conducted:

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
B.9 Characteristics of the cultivar:
B.9.1 Morphological description
B.9.2 Quality of Product (Acceptability, Nutritional Value, TSS,
Utilization Aspects, etc.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
B.9.3 Regularity in bearing

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.9.5 Harvest period (s)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.9.6 Resistance to disease/insects and other hazards (e.g. cold, heat, drought,
salinity). Explain scoring system and classify resistance in comparison with standard
check.
Disease/insect Standard Proposed
or other hazard check variety
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.9.7 Processing quality/utilization information
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B.10 Additional information (fertilizer regimes, irrigation levels, rootstock preferences
edaphic adaptability, suitability for large scale production or small farmer
cropping systems etc.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B. 11. Main contributor for the release of the variety
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
B. 12 Organization/institution responsible for maintaining breeder's stock

_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
my knowledge.
hereby, apply to the National Variety Release Committee for the release
and registration of this/these
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Name ________________________ Signature ___________

Position ___________________________________________
Institution/Center__________________________________________
Institution/Center Manager______________________________
(Official Seal for approval)
Date __________________________
Breeder’s seed/planting materials and/or a recommendation thereof could be obtained

only from the breeders of the respective crops or program leader.
IV. QUANTITIES OF BREEDER’S SEEDS REQUIRED

All breeders* will be required to provide "Breeder's Seed for their varieties to the
Ethiopian Seed Industry Agency (NSIA) through the NVRC at the time the varieties are
granted the status of "provisional release" or 'full release" approved by the NVRC.
Request for renewal stocks will be made by the \government and/or other authorized
users direct with the concerned breeder in writing with a copy to NSIA. Breeders should
plan to provide the seed requested within 12 months. Breeders are also required to
provide seed to the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research for long time
storage and maintain duplicate samples at the time they get approval from NVRC to
release their varieties.
The quantity of breeder seed required for new release or renewal stock is indicated in
column Tables 1 and 2. These are the quantities of seed per variety and seed stock class,
which authorized government, and other users such as ESE should receive from the
breeder, so that the users may produce the breeder-pre-basic seed generation the same
year as received.
The quantity of the nucleus seed that the breeder should preferably keep in cold storage is
shown in column 4 of the same tables. The breeder is responsible to ensure that this
nucleus stock is 100% authentic (represent the variety as released) and viability exceeding
85%. In practice, the breeder will multiply this seed one generation to obtain the Breeder
Seed quantity for authorized government and other users and simultaneously replace his
nucleus stock in cold storage.
_____________________
* Breeders involved in field crops and/or horticultural crops
V. VARIETY EVALUATION REPORT GUIDELINE
Please include the following points in your evaluation visit report of verification plots of
varieties proposed for release. (Any other additional Information is appreciated).
2.1 Performance data evaluation
This will consist of scrutinizing the submitted data for completeness,

relevance, Commissions and assessing if appropriate comparisons were done
2.2 Field evaluation
Insitu performance evaluation and recording of relevant information (data)

that will help in decision making and checking against reported information.
4.3 Comments
Any general observations regarding the conduct of the verification plots and any
shortcomings and suggestion should be included.
4.4 Recommendation
A recommendation on whether to accept, reject or reassess the variety or varieties

proposed for release should be explicitly stated.
Annex 6: DRAFT SEED PROCLAMATION
Proclamation No. ……/2010
WHEREAS Ethiopia’s seed sector is vital to the country’s food

security and economic prosperity;
WHEREAS it is essential to ensure that a reliable and accessible

supply of quality seed is made available to farmers, agro-pastoralists
and other seed users;
WHEREAS the production, processing and distribution of quality

seed hinges on the coordinated efforts of public and private actors at
the national, regional and local levels;
WHEREAS in light of the above, it has become necessary to

strengthen the legal and institutional framework related to seed in
Ethiopia.
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the

Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby
proclaimed as follows:
PART ONE
GENERAL
1. Title
This Proclamation shall be cited as “Seed Proclamation No.

......../2010”.
2. Definitions
In this Proclamation, unless the context requires otherwise:
1/ “Certified Seed” means domestically-produced or imported

seed certified as conforming to the Ethiopian Seed
Standards set forth in Article 15(b)(i);
2/ “certificate of competence” means a certificate attesting to

the satisfaction of established requirements to engage in a
specified activity in Ethiopia’s seed sector, as provided in
Part Six of this Proclamation;
3/ “Emergency Seed” means seed of a known provenance
that is intended to meet an acute seed shortage set forth
in Article 15(b)(i);
4/ “Ethiopian Seed Standards” means the minimum limits of

germination, varietal purity, physical purity and other
quality attributes of Certified, Quality Declared and
Emergency Seed, or of any other standard the Minister
may establish under Article 15;
This term has been re-defined to cover the three standards

for seed quality under this Proclamation.
5/ “genetically modified organism” means any living organism

that possesses a novel combination of genetic matter
obtained through the use of modern biotechnology;
6/ “local variety” means a variety that has evolved over a

period of time under particular agro-ecological conditions
within a defined area;
7/ “Minister” or “Ministry” means the minister or ministry

responsible for agriculture in Ethiopia;
This formulation is a useful alternative to putting in the

current name of the ministry, which if changed would
necessitate an amendment of the Proclamation.
8/ “OECD Seed Schemes” means the certification system of

the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development for the international trade of seed;
9/ “person” means any natural or juridical person;
10/ “prescribed seed” means any seed on or intended for the

domestic market for which there are minimum standards or
quality control requirements, as designated by ministerial
directive;
The list of prescribed seed must be comprehensive and

should include seed that may not be grown domestically,
but which is imported for the domestic market (e.g. rice).
The term “domestic market”, used throughout the text, has

intentionally been left undefined as counterparts agreed its
meaning was understood but difficult to accurately define.
The Minister is given the power (Article 32) to define the
term by directive if necessary to achieve the stated
purposes of the Proclamation.
11/ “Proclamation” means this proclamation and includes all

regulations, directives and other subsidiary implementing
legislation;
12/ “quality control” means the process of evaluating seed

quality for compliance with Ethiopian Seed Standards, as
provided under Article 17 of this Proclamation
13/ “Quality Declared Seed” means seed certified as

conforming to the Ethiopian Seed Standards set forth in
Article 15(b) (ii) of this Proclamation;
In this system, the producer declares that the seed meets

the established Quality Declared Seed standards based on
internal quality controls, which the regulatory authority
later controls through spot checks. It relies on the technical
facilities and competence of seed producers to control
quality; as such, it is initially intended to apply to large
producers.
14/ “Region” means any state referred to in Article 47(1) of the

Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
and includes the Addis Ababa and Dire Dewa city
administrations;
15/ “Regional Authority” means the authority responsible for

agriculture at the regional level;
As with the definition of Minister above, this descriptive

term permits changes to, or variations among, the names
of regional agriculture authorities without amending the
legislation.
16/ “restricted seed” means seed prohibited from being

marketed in, imported into or exported from Ethiopia by
published ministerial directive;
17/ “seed” means true botanical seed, bulbs, tubers, cuttings

rhizomes, roots, seedlings or any other plant propagating
material intended for planting;
18/ “variety” means plant grouping within a single botanical

taxon of the lowest known rank that can be:
a) defined by the expression of the characteristics of a
given genotype or combination of genotypes;
b) distinguished from any other plant grouping by the

expression of at least one of the said characteristics;
and
c) considered as a unit with regard to its suitability for

being propagated unchanged.
The UPOV definition has been used to bring the legislation

in line with Ethiopia’s Plant Breeder’s Rights Proclamation
and international standards.
Any expression in the masculine gender includes the feminine.
3. Scope of Application
1/ This Proclamation shall apply to seeds of all plant varieties,

subject to sub articles 2 and 3 below.
2/ This Proclamation shall not apply to:
a) the use of farm-saved seed by any person, or the

use, exchange or sale of farm-saved seed by
smallholder farmers;
b) any sale of seed involving persons or seeds

exempted from the provisions of this Proclamation
under sub-articles 3; or
c) seed used for research purposes, which nevertheless

may be subject to regulation under other legislation.
3/ The Minister may, from time to time and by published

directive, exempt any class of persons or category of seed
from the provisions of this Proclamation.
4/ The application of any provision of this Proclamation shall

in no way affect the rights granted under Plant Breeder’s
Rights Proclamation No. 481/2006.
4. Purpose
The Proclamation has the following purposes:
a) ensure reliable access to high quality seed;

b) facilitate the introduction of improved varieties on
the market;
c) protect farmers from sub-standard or fraudulently
sold seed;
d) encourage the emergence of private seed production
enterprises; and
e) meet Ethiopia’s food security and economic needs.
PART TWO
ADMINISTRATION
5. Implementing Authority
1/ The Minister shall have the power and responsibility to

implement this Proclamation.
The term “Minister” is used instead of “Ministry” because

responsibility to implement the proclamation ultimately
rests with the Minister; the Ministry is not an accountable
entity.
2/ The Minister may delegate any part of the authority

granted under this Proclamation to other entities as may
be necessary.
6. National Variety Release Committee
1/ An independent National Variety Release Committee shall

be established, comprised of a Chairperson to be voted by
the Committee, a Permanent Secretary and at lease one
other member from the Ministry, and members from at
least the following:
a) agricultural research institute at federal and regional

levels;
b) public seed producer at federal and regional levels;
c) institute responsible for biodiversity conservation;
d) cooperatives union;
e) private sector seed growers association;

f) private seed producer (non-association); and
g) institution of higher learning.
The Committee may establish such technical or other sub-

committees as may be necessary for it to carry out its
functions.
2/ Committee members shall receive a sitting allowance or

other remuneration as determined by the Minister in
compensation for their services. [national counsel to
advise]
3/ The Committee shall meet at least twice each year, or as

often as necessary for it to carry out its functions under
this Proclamation. At its first meeting, the Committee shall:
a) establish its operating rules and procedures; and
b) convene a committee of relevant crop specialists to

draft technical guidelines and requirements for
variety release
4/ The Committee shall carry out the following functions in

accordance with published procedures and guidelines:
a) determine the procedures and methodologies for

seed testing;
b) establish and/or improve technical standards for each

species of prescribed seed;
c) order trials and evaluate results;
d) take decisions on applications to release new

varieties.
5/ The Committee shall report directly to the Minister for

variety release recommendations and the Permanent
Secretary shall list approved varieties in the National
Variety Register.
6/ Committee decisions on the release of new varieties shall
be taken by a 2/3 majority of at least 51% of the voting
members.
7/ The Committee shall engage in disinterested decision-

making and, to that end, shall define in its operational
rules and procedures what will constitute a conflict of
interest and shall require any member who falls within that
definition to abstain from decision-making on the case in
question.
8/ Any person who has grounds to believe his application was

rejected in violation of the Committee’s procedures and
guidelines shall have the right to appeal the decision, first
to the Committee and then to the appropriate
administrative body.
7. National Seed Advisory Board
1/ The Minister shall establish a National Seed Advisory Board

(the “Advisory Board”), which shall comprise a Chairperson
appointed by the Minister, a Secretary from the Ministry,
and representatives from:
a) federal agricultural research institute;
b) Regional Authorities (rotating basis);
c) national standards authority;
d) institute responsible for biodiversity conservation;
e) private sector seed producer;
f) seed importer and exporter;
g) authority responsible for environment
h) ministry responsible for trade and industry;
i) ministry responsible for health;
j) authority responsible for revenu &customs; and
k) institution of higher learning.

The composition is listed in descriptive terms rather than
proper names, which are subject to change.
2/ The Advisory Board shall:
a) advise the Minister on policies and legislation aimed

at strengthening Ethiopia’s seed systems, including
on institutional, capacity-building and other matters;
b) advise the Minister on the implementation of such

policies and legislation, including this Proclamation
and any subsidiary instruments.
3/ The Advisory Board may establish task forces as necessary

for it to effectively perform its functions.
4/ The Advisory Board shall meet at least once annually and

thereafter as often as may be required, and shall adopt its
operating rules and procedures at the first meeting.
An inter-ministerial advisory body is a useful vehicle for

providing broad input on cross-cutting issues that affect a range
of public and private actors in Ethiopia’s seed system.
8. Regional Authorities
1/ Each Regional Authority shall be responsible for

implementing this Proclamation at the regional level.
2/ The Regional Authorities shall, among other things:
a) liaise with the Ministry on matters of regional interest

with respect to plant varieties;
b) coordinate public seed production and distribution at

the regional level among regions and with the central
public seed producer;
c) issue certificates of competence for seed producers,

processors, distributors and retailers in accordance
with Articles 25 and 26;
d) designate and obtain accreditation for seed testing

laboratories;
e) carry out quality control functions as provided in this
Proclamation; and
f) perform other functions within the scope of this

article or as agreed between the Regional Authorities
and the Minister.
3/ Each Regional Authority shall establish or designate such

bodies as may be necessary to carry out its functions
under this Proclamation.
9. Federal and Regional Coordination
1/ a) The Minister and the Regional Authorities shall

coordinate implementation of this Proclamation as
and to the extent necessary to effectively achieve its
purposes.
b) To the same end, the Regional Authorities shall

communicate and coordinate among themselves.
2/ To further ensure coherent and uniform application of this

Proclamation, the Regional Authorities shall employ
procedures, standards and guidelines issued or approved
by the Minister for, among other things:
a) laboratory accreditation;
b) seed production;
c) quality control, including seed testing and inspection;
d) issuing certificates of competence;
as well as for any other activity identified by the Minister.
3/ The Minister shall provide the Regional Authorities and

institutions with the training, capacity-building and other
support necessary for them to carry out their functions
under this Proclamation.
PART THREE
VARIETY RELEASE AND REGISTRATION
10. Approval and Release of Varieties

Any new variety of seed may be approved and released by
decision of the Minister upon the recommendation of the Variety
Release Committee, following evaluation of the results of variety
verification trials.
1/ Varieties for Export Only
Varieties for export only shall not be subject to variety

release or registration requirements unless otherwise
required by the importing country, but shall nonetheless be
subject to all controls under prevailing phytosanitary,
biosafety and other relevant legislation.
2/ Varieties for Release on the Domestic Market
a) New domestic and foreign-bred varieties for release on

the domestic market shall undergo multi-year, multi-
location testing as set forth in the variety release and
registration guidelines.
b) Domestic local varieties already in existence in informal

seed systems shall be subject to such testing as the
Committee shall require in accordance with its rules and
procedures prior to their release on the domestic
market.
c) Registered foreign-bred varieties for release on the

domestic market shall undergo single- or multi-season,
multi-location verification trial, as determined by the
Committee in accordance with its rules and procedures.
3/ In order to facilitate the release of new varieties on the

domestic market, the Minister, on advice of the Committee,
may reduce or waive the testing requirements for any
variety falling under paragraph 2(c) above if the applicant
can scientifically demonstrate its adaptability to Ethiopian
conditions, as determined through tests equivalent to those
employed or recognized for other nationally-registered
varieties.
Safeguards are built into this provision to prevent the

registration of inappropriate varieties. Additional
requirements may be established by directive or
regulation.
11. National Variety Register

1/ The Minister shall enter the varieties approved in
accordance with Article 10 of this Proclamation in the
National Variety Register.
2/ The Permanent Secretary of the Variety Release

Committee shall keep and regularly update the National
Variety Register and make it available to the public.
3/ The Variety Release Committee shall periodically re-

evaluate the varieties listed in the National Variety Register
and recommend the removal of any obsolete varieties.
PART FOUR
SEED PRODUCTION and DISTRIBUTION
12. Production
Seed may be produced by any entity, including (but not limited
to):
a) federal and regional public seed production bodies;
b) private companies;
c) cooperatives;
d) NGOs; and
e) farmers;
subject to the provisions of the Plant Breeder’s Rights
Proclamation (No. 481/2006) and any other applicable
legislation.
13. Registry of Prescribed Seed Producers
The Minister shall establish a registry of prescribed seed

producers, which shall contain the following information on each
public and private producer:
a) business name and address;
b) description of activity and type(s) of seed produced;
c) validity of certificate of competence;
d) data on the seed being grown, including:

(i) field number and growing history over the
previous five years;
(ii) seed variety and class;
(iii) all field and laboratory inspection reports;
(iv) the quantity produced for certification where
relevant;
(v) plot testing results; and
(vi) any action taken to reject or downgrade seed in
the previous [five] years; [Recommend clean
slate after a certain number of years have
passed without any such action taken.]
e) production statistics, including imports, exports and
in-country production; and
f) any other information as may be prescribed by

published ministerial directive.
14. Integrated Production Planning
1/ The federal and regional seed production institutions shall,

together with private seed companies and the Minister,
develop, draft and periodically review a strategy for
rationalizing their roles in the production and distribution of
prescribed seed, with an emphasis on integrated production
planning, harmonizing standards and procedures, sharing
best practices and equitably allocating machinery and
infrastructure.
2/ The Minister shall keep a prescribed seed production

database containing:
a) planning methodologies;
b) annual production targets and allocation of

responsibilities;
c) annual production statistics for each type of seed, by

institution and overall;
d) land, infrastructure and other resources used to

produce the seed in (c) above; and
e) any other information relevant to national seed

production.
The seed production database shall be part of or linked to
the registry of prescribed seed producers established under
Article 13 of this Proclamation.
PART FIVE
QUALITY CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION
15. Standards
The Minister shall, through Ethiopia’s national standards

authority, establish the following with respect to prescribed seed:
a) the standards and requirements for different classes

of seed;
b) the Ethiopian Seed Standards for:
(i) Certified Seed;
(ii) Quality Declared Seed;
(iii) Emergency Seed, which shall be of a known

provenance; and
(iv) any other seed standard that may be

established; and
c) which species shall be subject to each standard.
Counterparts observed that some Ethiopian seed standards are

excessively high, which has resulted in the rejection and
destruction of good quality seed. It is therefore recommended
that standards be reviewed and revised as necessary to comply
with – but not necessarily exceed – international standards and
otherwise to determine what is appropriate for each variety.
16. Official Laboratories
1/ The Minister shall establish the accreditation criteria and

testing procedures for all seed testing laboratories in
Ethiopia.
This sub-section takes into account Ethiopia’s current seed

testing capacity while still requiring the eventual adoption
of ISTA procedures.
2/ The Minister shall establish or designate an accredited
national laboratory to test prescribed seed, which shall
endeavor to comply with International Seed Testing
Association methods as soon as practicable.
3/ The Minister shall accredit official laboratories for seed

testing at the regional level.
The Minister is given the power to accredit and issue

guidelines, procedures and standards for both central and
regional laboratories to promote consistent seed quality
among regions. This will facilitate the inter-regional
movement of seed and otherwise create a coherent seed
system in Ethiopia.
17. Quality Control of Prescribed Seed
The Minister shall establish the procedures and criteria for all
quality control testing of prescribed seed in Ethiopia.
1/ The Regional Authorities shall be responsible for quality

control of domestically produced seed for release on the
domestic market;
2/ The Minister shall be responsible for the quality control of:
a) imported prescribed seed, to ensure its conformity

with Ethiopian Seed Standards; and
b) domestically produced seed for export, to ensure its

conformity with the standards of the country of
destination.
3/ The Minister may recognize the quality control designation

of any foreign certification agency as equivalent to
Ethiopian Seed Standards.
4/ OECD Seed Schemes or their internationally accepted

equivalent shall be employed as soon as practicable, with a
priority on domestically produced seed for export.
This provision takes into account Ethiopia’s current

capacity for quality control while requiring that the OECD
or equivalent scheme be put in place as soon as possible.
18. Certificates of Seed Quality

1/ Certified Seed and Quality Declared Seed
Each Regional Authority shall, upon ascertaining that

domestically produced and processed prescribed seed for
supply to the domestic market:
a) is listed in the National Variety Register;
b) has been produced and processed by a person

holding a certificate of competence in accordance
with prescribed procedures, including the use of
appropriate generations of seed;
c) has been tested in accordance with this Proclamation

and found to be in conformity with the applicable
Ethiopian Seed Standards; and
d) fulfils any other requirement as the Minister may

specify by published directive;
upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue a certificate of

Certified Seed or Quality Declared Seed with respect to
such seed.
2/ Emergency Seed
The Minister shall issue a Certificate of Emergency Seed

upon ascertaining that the seed in question is in conformity
with the applicable Ethiopian Seed Standards and fulfils
any other requirement the Minister may establish.
3/ Imported Seed
The Minister shall, upon ascertaining that imported seed:
a) is listed the National Variety Register, unless

imported for breeding and re-export purposes only;
b) was imported into Ethiopia by a seed importer

holding a certificate of competence;

and found to be in conformity with the applicable
Ethiopian Seed Standards; and
d) fulfils any other requirement as may be required by

the Minister by published directive;
seed quality with respect to such seed.
4/ Seed for Export
The Minister shall, upon ascertaining that seed for export:
a) where required by the importing country, is of a

variety listed in the National Variety Register;
b) was produced and processed by a person holding a

certificate of competence;

and found to be in conformity with OECD Seed
Schemes or their international equivalent, or with the
testing procedures of the country of destination; and
This article permits testing procedures to be

equivalent to OECD Seed Schemes in order to bring
exports in line with international standards even if
Ethiopia is not technically able to comply with all of
the OECD requirements.
d) fulfils any other requirement as may be required by

the Minister by published directive;

seed quality for export with respect to such seed.
5/ Revocation
Any certificate of seed quality may be revoked where:
a) it is found to have been obtained on the basis of

false, misleading or incomplete information; or
b) the seed is found not to meet the applicable

Ethiopian Seed Standards following a post-control
conducted under Article 20 of this Proclamation or
any re-testing of seed quality.
Prior to revoking a certificate of seed quality, the Minister

or relevant Regional Authority shall notify the holder of the
certificate and give him the opportunity to be heard.
19. Labeling
1/ No prescribed seed may be put on the domestic market

unless labeled in accordance with this Proclamation.
2/ Prescribed Seed Labels shall be printed according to OECD

color codes and shall contain at least the following
information:
a) the name and emblem of the producer;
b) “Certified Seed”, “Quality Declared Seed” or relevant

seed class;
c) type of crop and name of variety;
d) year of production, date of seed testing and

expiration date of certificate;
e) quantity of seed in the container;
f) symbol of danger for chemically-treated seed; and
g) any other information that the Minister may require

by published directive.
3/ For Emergency Seed, the label shall contain the following

information:
a) name of supplier;
b) the phrase “Emergency Seed”;
c) crop and, if possible, variety;
d) date of seed testing and expiration date of

certificate;
e) representation that it meets minimum germination

requirements;
f) quantity of seed in the container;
g) symbol of danger for chemically-treated seed; and
h) any other information that the Minister may require

by published directive.
Seed labels shall be printed or stamped in indelible ink on
the container of the seed or affixed thereto as specified by
20. Pre- and Post-Control
1/ As soon as practicable, the Minister shall put in place a

system of pre- and post-control plot testing of an
established percentage of all classes of seed except
breeder seed lots to verify varietal identity and purity, in
particular when there is reason to doubt the applicable
standards are met and for all higher generation seed.
2/ The Minister and Regional Authorities shall conduct plot

testing to verify the seed quality control procedures and
shall undertake such remedial measures as may be
necessary.
3/ To verify that a given lot of seed on the domestic market

conforms to the applicable Ethiopian Seed Standards, a
laboratory test using the latest technology may be
conducted at any time on samples of such seed.
21. Rejected or Downgraded Seed
1/ Where a seed lot fails to meet the applicable standards, it

shall be downgraded where possible, or rejected and
disposed of in accordance with directives issued by the
Minister, subject to the provisions of sub articele2 below.
2/ Any person whose seed lot has been rejected shall be

given the option to:
a) use the seed for food or feed; or
b) re-plant the seed in his own fields for personal use;
unless the seed is found to be contaminated or otherwise

unfit for consumption or use.
This novel provision permits the productive use of sub-

standard seed where possible as an alternative to its
automatic destruction.
22. Import and Export of Seed

1/ No person shall import or export seed without a valid
import or export permit issued by the Minister.
2/ Any variety of seed to be imported for multiplication

purposes, except where exclusively for re-export, shall be
subject to prior verification trials as established by the
Variety Release Committee and shall be listed in the
National Variety Register in accordance with this
Proclamation.
3/ Genetically modified organisms may be imported into

Ethiopia only if the Minister receives prior assurance of
their compliance with applicable legislation from the
authority designated therein.
4/ No person may:
a) import or export restricted seed; or
b) import any seed containing terminator gene

technology.
5/ The Minister may, by directive, restrict the export of any

variety of seed if it is determined that such export may
adversely affect Ethiopia’s food security or any other public
interest.
23. Supply of Emergency Seed
In case of an acute seed shortage in Ethiopia, the Minister shall

have the power to declare a seed shortage emergency and to
authorize the supply of Emergency Seed to affected areas.
PART SIX
CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCE
In post-workshop discussions, it was decided that the requirement for

certificates of competence will remain in the Proclamation, but that the
provisions setting forth the specific criteria for each category will be
moved into regulations and ministerial directives as appropriate. This
approach will help avoid unintended or excessive hurdles, in particular
for small seed enterprises, and will lessen the administrative burden on
the government.
24. Requirement
1/ Any producer, processor, importer, exporter, wholesaler,
distributor or retailer of prescribed seed shall obtain a
certificate of competence from the appropriate authority,
as provided under Article 25.
2/ A certificate of competence must be obtained before

application is made for any required trade license.
3/ The Minister shall have the authority to establish and/or

modify the requirements for each category of certificate of
competence by published ministerial directive, subject to
the provisions of this Proclamation and implementing
regulations.
25. Application, Issuance and Validity
1/ Applications for certificates of competence shall be made

to:
a) for seed producers, processors, distributors or

retailers, the Regional Authority of the region in
which their headquarters is located; or
b) for seed importers and exporters, the Minister.
2/ Applications shall contain evidence showing the fulfillment

of the requirements provided for in this Proclamation with
respect to the issuance of the certificate of competence in
question and other information that may be required by
3/ The Minister or the relevant Regional Authority shall, upon

ascertaining that the application is complete and correct
and upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue the
certificate of competence in question.
4/ When any application is rejected, the Minister or the

relevant Regional Authority shall state the reasons
therefor.
5/ Unless otherwise established by ministerial directive, any

certificate of competence issued under this Proclamation
shall be valid for a period of three years, and shall be
automatically renewed for additional three-year periods
upon payment of the prescribed fee unless terminated by
the relevant authority for failure to maintain the conditions
upon which the certificate was granted.
26. National Registry
All certificates of competence shall have national validity and

shall therefore be recognized by all other issuing authorities in
Ethiopia. To this end:
a) The Minister shall establish a national registry of all

certificates of competence issued by both federal and
regional authorities.
b) Each Regional Authority shall transmit to the Minister

the records of all certificates of competence it issues for
entry into the national registry.
c) The Minister shall make the contents of the national

registry available to all federal and regional authorities
that may need to verify for official purposes the
existence of a valid certificate of competence.
The purpose of this provision is to ensure the national validity of

all certificates so producers (or other actors) cannot be made to
obtain a separate certificate of competence for every region in
which it does business. The national registry is intended to
provide a centralized, accessible source of information to
facilitate inter-regional recognition of certificates by all concerned
officials.
27. Suspension and Revocation
1/ Where a person issued a certificate of competence in

accordance with this Proclamation:
a) fails to maintain the conditions upon the basis of

which the certificate of competence has been issued;
or
b) contravenes any material provision of this

Proclamation, including the regulations and directives
issued for its implementation;
the Minister or the relevant Regional Authority may

suspend the certificate of competence and instruct the
holder to rectify the irregularities within a specified
reasonable period of time.
2/ The Minister or relevant Regional Authority may revoke any
certificate of competence issued in accordance with this
Proclamation where the holder of the certificate:
a) is found to have obtained the certificate of

competence upon presentation of false evidence;
b) in the case of suspension under sub-article (1) of this

Article, fails to rectify the irregularities within the
specified time limit; or
c) has committed an offense under Article 31 of this

Proclamation or under the Penal Code.
3/ The Minister or the relevant Regional Authority shall, upon

revoking a certificate of competence, so notify in writing
any authority that issued a business or trade license on the
basis of the certificate in question.
Consider adding administrative right to appeal the denial or

revocation of a certificate of competence.
National legal counsel to advise on the role of courts,

arbitration tribunals or other administrative dispute
resolution mechanisms and whether the denial of a
certificate of competence rises to the level of those
administrative actions that deserve an additional appeal
process.
28. Records and Access
Any holder of a certificate of competence shall:
1/ record and keep particulars of each field and seed

produced or processed, imported, exported, distributed or
retailed, as the case may be;
2/ keep samples of seed on which laboratory test have been

made for at least one year; and
3/ furnish such information or samples upon request by any

inspector authorized under Article 30 of this Proclamation.
29. Waiver of Requirement

The Minister shall have the power to waive the requirement for any
individual or category of certificate of competence in case of severe
seed shortage.
PART SEVEN
ENFORCEMENT
30. Inspection
1/ The Minister and each Regional Authority shall appoint

inspectors to ensure compliance with this Proclamation and
shall issue them an official certificate of authority.
The term “identity card” was replaced by “certificate of

authority” because inspectors need to prove their
delegation of power to act, not just their identity.
2/ The Minister shall:
a) determine the federal and regional inspection

jurisdictions;
b) ensure standardized inspection procedures

throughout the country; and
c) provide inspection training and support to Regional

Authorities where necessary.
3/ An inspector shall have the power, at all reasonable times,
without a warrant and upon presentation of his certificate
of authority, to:
a) carry out periodic inspections of any land, building,

plant, machinery, facility, vehicle, equipment or
container where seed may be produced, processed,
stored or transported to
determine compliance with the provisions of this
Proclamation;
b) require the production of and inspect certificates,

permits, records and other documents relevant to
determining compliance with this Proclamation and
make copies thereof;
c) take samples of seeds and submit same for analysis

for the purpose of post control under Article 20 of
this Proclamation;
d) seize any machinery or equipment, container, seed,

book, record or document that provides evidence of a
contravention of this Proclamation, provided that he:
(i) provides a receipt in the prescribed form to the

person from whose custody the item was
taken; and
(ii) promptly returns the item once the necessary
inquiry or prosecution has been completed,
except when subject to destruction under this
Proclamation.
e) carry out other inspection, monitoring or surveillance

activities as may be prescribed by regulations and
directives issued hereunder.
4/ Inspectors shall promptly submit evidence of any violation

of this Proclamation that is gathered in the course of
inspections to the relevant body for prosecution.
5/ All persons shall comply with any order or instruction

issued during the course of inspection and shall otherwise
permit inspectors to carry out their functions under this
Proclamation.
6/ Any inspector shall produce his certificate of authority upon

the demand of any person affected by the exercise of his
official duties under this Proclamation.
7/ Inspectors shall have the power to call upon Ethiopia’s

forces of order for support in carrying out any of their
functions under this Proclamation.
31. Offenses and Penalties
To be reviewed by national counsel for consonance with the

Criminal Code and any applicable civil or administrative offences
and penalties.
Any person who:
a) imports or supplies to the domestic market any seed

not registered and quality controlled in accordance
with this Proclamation, or which does not meet the
applicable Ethiopian Seed Standards; or
b) gives or offers to give any thing of value to cause the

commission of fraudulent act in the course of
production, processing, marketing or quality control
of seeds;
c) intentionally present the wrong seed sample for

testing;
d) tampers with any sample taken under this

Proclamation;
e) knowingly gives any false or misleading information in

making any application or filing any document under
this Proclamation;
f) fails to observe the labeling provisions under Article

19 of this Proclamation, or supplies to the market
seed that does not correspond to the information on
the label; or
g) without lawful authority, alters, defaces, or removes

any register, certificate, label, or other official record
created or issued under this Proclamation;
h) refuses to cooperate with or willfully obstructs the

work of a seed inspector exercising his powers under
this Proclamation; or
i) contravenes other [material] provisions of this

Proclamation; Recommend removing this sub-
paragraph, or reformulating by adding the term
“material”, as it could potentially apply to the even
the most minor deviation from the Proclamation.
Further, it likely provides insufficient notice of what
behavior constitutes a violation and could therefore
be found unconstitutional. TBD by national counsel.
shall have committed an offense under this Proclamation
and shall be subject to such penalties as provided under
Ethiopian civil or criminal law.
2/ Any official or personnel of the Ministry or of any Regional

Authority who:
a) in exchange for value or due to kinship or other

personal relationship, causes the registration of a
variety or the issuance of a certificate or a permit
while the requirements provided under this
Proclamation are not met; or
b) with intent to obtain undue advantage or to injure

the rights or interests of another, delays or
wrongfully disposes of any matter brought before
him in his official capacity;
shall have committed an offense with intent to corrupt

under this Proclamation and shall be subject to such
penalties as provided under Ethiopian criminal law.
Provisions assigning specific amounts for fines were removed to

avoid having to amend the Proclamation whenever inflation or
other changes render them obsolete. Alternatives: proportion of
an amount that (ideally) changes with inflation, e.g. average
monthly wage of a civil servant, or as determined by a judge or
magistrate. To be decided by national counsel according to
applicable drafting rules.
PART EIGHT
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
32. Powers and Duties of the Minister
Without prejudice to any other provision of this Proclamation, the

Minister shall have the power to issue published directives and
other subsidiary instruments for the following non-exhaustive list
of purposes:
a) designate the species to be listed as prescribed seed;
b) establish and modify the parameters defining

“domestic market” and “smallholder farmer” as used
in the Proclamation, if necessary;
c) set fees for variety release applications, laboratory
testing, certificates of competence and other
administrative procedures under this Proclamation;
d) ensure the production of an adequate supply of

breeder seed;
e) prepare technical working manuals for seed

production and quality control;
f) provide technical support and training to smallholder

farmers on production and multiplication in the
informal seed system;
g) establish or designate a central seed testing

laboratory and ensure that it obtains and maintains
international accreditation;
h) accredit, supervise and provide technical support to

seed testing laboratories and bring seed testing
services in line with international standards;
i) establish and maintain adequate seed reserves for

emergency situations;
j) encourage private investors to engage in seed

production and distribution; and
k) promote equal access and opportunities to all actors

in Ethiopia’s seed sector.
33. Power to Issue Regulations
The Council of Ministers may issue any regulation necessary for

the implementation of this Proclamation.
34. Repeal
1/ Seed Proclamation No. 206/2000, including any

implementing instrument promulgated thereunder, is
hereby repealed.
2/ No law, regulations, directives or customary practices shall,

in so far as they are inconsistent with this Proclamation, be
applicable with respect to matters provided for by this
Proclamation.
35. Effective Date

This Proclamation shall enter into force on the ....... day of
......... 2010.
Done at Addis Ababa, this ............. day of ............ 2010.
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
Annex 7 : Proclamation No. 481/2006: Plant Breeders’ Rights Proclamation

FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC NEGARIT GAZETA
OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
12th Year No. 12
ADDIS ABABA – 27th February, 2006
Proclamation No. 481/2006 Plant Breeders’ Right
Proclamation….Page 3339
PROCLAMATION NO. 481/2006

A PROCLAMATION TO PROVIDE FOR PLANT BREEDERS’ RIGHT
WHEREAS, the utilization of new plant varieties developed through research play a significant
role in improving agricultural production and productivity;
WHEREAS, the development of new plant varieties requires considerable effort and investment;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide for recognition and economic reward for those who
contribute to such effort and investment so as to encourage their involvement in the sector;
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to ensure that the farming and pastoral communities
of Ethiopia, who have been conserving and continue to do so in the future the agro‐biodiversity
resource used to develop new plant varieties, continue to their centuries old customary practice
of use and exchange of seed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

PART ONE
GENERAL PROVISION
1. Short Title
This Proclamation may be cited as the “Plant Breeders’ Right Proclamation No. 481/2006.”
2. Definitions
In this Proclamation unless the context otherwise requires:
1/ “applicant” means a person who has filed an application with the Ministry for a plant
breeders’ right;
2/ “Ministry” means the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
3/ “breeder” means a person who:
a) has bred and developed a new plant variety; or
b) has employed or commissioned the work of the person who has bred or developed
a new plant variety; or
c) is a successor in title of the person mentioned in (a) or (b) of this Sub‐Article;
4/ “holder” means a person to whom a plant breeders’ right has been granted by the
Ministry;
5/ “new plant variety” means a variety that:
a/ by reason of one or more identifiable characteristics, is clearly distinguishable from all other
varieties the existence of which is a matter of common knowledge at the date of application
for a plant breeders’ right;
b/ is stable in its essential characteristics, in that after repeated reproduction or multiplication,
at the end of each cycle, remains true to its description;
c/ having regard to its particular features of sexual reproduction or vegetative propagation, is
sufficiently homogenous or is a well‐defined multi‐line; and
d/ its material has not been sold or otherwise disposed of to others by the breeder for purposes
of commercial exploitation of the variety:
i) in the territory of Ethiopia, earlier than one year before the date of filling of application for
plant breeders’ right with the Ministry; or
ii) in the territory of any other state, earlier than six years in the case of varieties of tree, fruit
tree or grape vines, or in the case of other species, earlier than four years before the date of the
application.
6/ “Plant” means a living‐organism which is not an animal and which can reproduce itself
naturally.
7/ “protected variety” means a new plant variety that is protected by a plant breeders’ right
granted by the Ministry;
8/ “variety” means a plant grouping within a single botanical taxon of the lowest known rank,
which can be:
a) defined by the expression of the characteristics resulting from a given genotype or
combination of genotypes;
b) distinguished from any other plant grouping by the expression of at least one of said
characteristics; and
c) considered as a unit for being propagated unchanged;
9/ "Farmers variety" means a plant variety having specific attributes and which has been
discovered, breed, developed or nurtured by Ethiopian farming communities or a wild
relative of variety about which the Ethiopian farming communities have common
knowledge;
10/ “Wild relative” means a plant variety which is not domesticated by man and which is found
in the wild by nature.
11/ “Propagating material” means any part of a plant which can be propagated.
12/ “Person” means natural person or juridical person.
13/ “Institution” means a state or private organization having juridical personality.

3. Scope of Application
1/ This Proclamation shall apply to new plant varieties of the genera and species, which the
Ministry shall determine by directives;
2/ The Ministry may revise, from time to time, as necessary, the list of the plant genera and
species to which this Proclamation shall apply.

PART TWO
PLANT BREEDERS’ RIGHT
4. Protection of Right
Subject to the conditions and limitations provided for in this Proclamation, a breeder shall
be granted a plant breeders’ right in respect of his new plant variety.
5. Scope of Plant Breeder’s Right
1/ Subject to the exemptions and restrictions provided for in this Proclamation, a plant
breeders’ right entitles the holder an exclusive right to:
a) sell, including the right to license other persons to sell, the seed or propagating material of
the protected variety; and
b) produce, including the right to license other persons to produce, propagating material of the
protected variety for sale.
2/ The carrying out of the activities referred to in Sub‐Article (1) of this Article by other persons
with respect to a protected variety is prohibited unless with the authorization of the holder.

6. Exemptions to Plant Breeders’ Right
1/ Notwithstanding the existence of a plant breeder’s right, any person or farmers’
community may:
a) propagate, grow and use a protected variety for purposes other than commerce;
b) sell plants or the propagating material of the protected variety for use as food or for
any other use that does not involve growing the plant or the propagating material of the
protected variety;
c) sell plants or propagating material of a protected variety as they are within a farm or
any other place where plants of the variety are gown;
d) use plants or propagating material of a protected variety as an initial source of variation for
purpose of developing another new plant variety except where the person makes
repeated use of plants or propagating material of the variety for the commercial
production of another variety;
e) sprout a protected variety for use as food for home consumption or for the market;
f) use a protected variety in further breeding, research or teaching;
g) obtain, with the conditions of utilization, protected variety from gene banks or plant
genetic resources centers.
2/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub‐Article (1) of this Article, farmers cannot sell farm‐
saved seed or propagating material of a protected variety in the seed industry on commercial
scale.

7. Restrictions on Plant Breeders’ Right
1/ The Ministry may, when public interest so requires, due to the following grounds, put
restrictions on the exercise of a plant breeders’ right where:
a) problems arise due to competitive practices of holders;
b) food security, nutritional or health needs or biological diversity are found adversely
affected;
c) a high proportion of a protected variety offered for sale is being imported;
d) the requirements of the farming community for prorogating material of a particular
protected variety are not met;
e) it is considered important to promote public interest for socio‐economic reasons and
for developing indigenous and other technologies.
2/ When the Ministry decides to put restrictions on the exercise of a plant breeders’ right,
it shall:
a) give to the holder the copy of the decision setting out the particulars of the restrictions;
b) give public notice of the restrictions; and
c) specify the compensation to be paid to the holder.
3/ where the holder is dissatisfied with the compensation decided to be paid, he may lodge his
appeal in accordance with Article 34 of this Proclamation.

8. Compulsory Licensing
1/ Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 8 of this Proclamation, the Ministry may, to
safeguard public interest, grant a compulsory license upon application by any interested
person.
2/ The Ministry may grant a compulsory license only if:
a) the holder is not producing and selling the propagating material of the protected variety in
sufficient amount to meet the needs of the general public and has refused to license other
persons to produce and sell the propagating material of the protected variety or is not
willing to give such license under reasonable terms; or
b) there exist no condition under which the holder can be expected to give a permit to
use his protected variety.
3/ Where the Ministry grants compulsory license, it shall determine the remuneration
the person to whom the compulsory license is granted shall pay to the holder, the
duration of the compulsory license and other conditions as necessary. The duration
of a compulsory license shall not be shorter than three years and longer than five
years; provided, however, that the Ministry may extend the duration if an
application for extension is made and the conditions warranting compulsory
licensing continue to exist.
4/ A person to whom a compulsory license is granted shall have a non‐exclusive right to perform
all or any of the activities for which the authorization of the holder would have been
required.
5/ Compulsory licensing shall not preclude the holder from using the variety or to grant
license to others.
9. Duration of Plant Breeders’ Right
Without prejudice to other provisions of this Proclamation, a plant breeders’ right shall exist
for a period of 20 years in the case of annual crops, and 25 year in the case of trees, vines
and other perennial trees from the date the successful application for a plant breeders’ right
was accepted.

10. Persons Entitled to Plant Breeders Right
1/ A breeder shall be entitled to a plant breeders’ right in respect of his new plant variety,
whether or not the breeder is an Ethiopian national or a foreigner, or is an Ethiopian
resident or not, and whether the variety was bred locally or abroad.
2/ Where two or more persons bred the variety jointly or that they are joint successors, they
shall jointly be entitled to plant breeders’ right; provided however, that only one or some of
such persons may apply for a plant breeders’ right provided that the remaining other
persons have given their consent in writing to this effect.
3/ Where the breeder is a public or a private institution, the plant breeders’ right shall be
granted in the name of the institution.
4/ Where a variety has been bred by two or more persons independently of each other, the
entitlement to plant breeders’ right shall belong to the person who has first filed an
application with the Ministry for plant breeders’ right.
5/ Where an application is filed by a person who is not entitled to plant breeders’ right, the
person who is entitled to the plant breeders’ right may apply to the Ministry for the
assignment of the application to him.

11. Application
A breeder who wants to be granted a plant breeders’ right in respect of a new plant variety
shall, present written application to the Ministry. The conditions and procedure in
accordance with which applications may be lodged, examined and decided shall be specified
by regulations.
12. Provisional Protection
1/ The applicant shall be deemed to have a plant breeders’ right in respect of the new variety
during the period between the date the application for plant breeders’ right is filed and the
granting of plant breeders’ right or the final rejection of the application.
2/ The genetic material of the new plant variety under provisional protection shall not be used
for non‐research purposes. The Ministry shall take the necessary measures to prevent the
use of the genetic material of such variety for non‐research purposes.
13. Opposition
Where an application is lodged for a plant breeders’ right, any person, who considers that the
granting of plant breeders’ right will be contrary to public interest, or that the variety does not
fulfill the requirements for granting plant breeders’ right, or that the applicant is not entitled to
plant breeders’ right, may lodge with the Ministry an opposition to the application setting out
the particulars for the opposition. The conditions and procedure pursuant to which
oppositionshall be lodged, examined and disposed shall be specified by regulations.
14. Granting of Plant Breeders’ Right
The Ministry shall grant a plant breeders’ right if it is satisfied that:
1/ the plant variety is new;
2/ there is no ground, as provided for in this Proclamation, to refuse the granting of plant
breeders’ right to the applicant;
3/ the breeder has a proof that he has obtained the genetic resource used to develop the variety
in accordance with the relevant laws on access to genetic resources;
4/ a plant breeders’ right has not been granted to another person in respect of the
variety;
5/ there has been no earlier application, that has not been withdrawn or rejected, for a plant
breeders’ right in respect of the new variety in question; and
6/ all fees payable in relation to the granting of plant breeders’ right have been paid.
15. Register of Plant Breeders’ Right
The Ministry shall keep a register of plant breeders’ rights. The particulars that may be entered
in the register shall be specified by regulations.
16. Publication of Plant Breeders’ Right
Where the Ministry grants a plant breeders’ right, it shall give public notice to that effect.
17. Deposition of Samples
The Ministry shall, for the purpose of conservation, cause that the holder deposits at the
Institute of Biodiversity Conservation sample of the new plant varieties with respect to which a
plant breeders’ right have been granted.
18. Maintenance of Variety
1/ The holder shall have the obligation to maintain the variety to ensure that all the
characteristics of the variety at the date of granting the right are maintained throughout the
duration of the plant breeders’ right.
2/ The Ministry may, to ensure that the variety is maintained, require the holder to furnish
material of the variety or any other necessary information.

PART THREE
TRANSFER AND REVOCATION OF PLANT BREEDERS’ RIGHT
19. Transfer of Right
1/ Plant breeders’ right may be transferred to other persons by a contract or by the law.
2/ A transfer of plant breeders’ right by a contract may have no effect unless entered in the
register of plant breeders’ right.
20. Surrender of Plant Breeders’ Right
1/ A holder may surrender his plant breeders’ right by giving notice to the Ministry.
2/ Upon receiving notice of surrender, the Ministry shall enter same in the register of plant
breeders right and give public notice thereof.
3/ Where an action in respect of a plant breeders’ right is pending before a court, the Ministry
shall not register the surrender except by leave of the court or by consent of the parties in the
court proceeding.
21. Plant Breeders’ Right Granted to a Person not Entitled to
1/ Where a plant breeders’ right has been granted to a person who is not entitled to, the person
who is entitled to the plant breeders’ right may apply to the Ministry demanding
that the plant breeders’ right be transferred to him.
2/ The Ministry shall, upon examining the application for the transfer and the response of
the holder and ascertaining that the right has wrongly been granted to the holder and that the
applicant is entitled thereto, cause the plant breeders’ right to be transferred accordingly.
22. Revocation
1/ The Ministry shall revoke a plant breeders’ right if;
a) it is proved that the variety was not new or that facts exist which, if known before the
granting of the right, would have resulted in the refusal of the right;
b) the holder has failed to pay the prescribed fee payable in respect of the plant breeders’
right within 90 days after having been notified that the payment has fallen due; or
c) the holder has failed to maintain the variety.
2/ Where the Ministry decides to revoke a plant breeders’ right in accordance with Sub‐
Article (1) of this Article, it shall give written notice of the revocation to the holder stating the
grounds for the decision, and it shall give public notice of the revocation.
23. Application for Revocation
Any person whose interest is affected by the granting of a plant breeders’ right may apply to the
Ministry for the revocation of the plant breeders’ right in accordance with this Proclamation. The
procedure in accordance with which an application for revocation of plant breeders’ right may
be examined and decided shall be specified by regulations.

PART FOUR
INFRINGEMENT OF PLANT BREEDERS’ RIGHT
24. Act of Infringement
Any act in respect of a protected variety for which the authorization of the holder is required
and which is done without such authorization shall constitute an act of infringement of a plant
breeders’ right.
25. Legal Action
1/ A holder whose plant breeders’ right has been infringed may institute an action in court to
require the cessation of the act of infringement and claim compensation for damage.
2/ The court shall order the cessation of an act of infringement and the payment of
compensation for the damage caused on the holder unless the defendant forthwith proves that
the plant breeders’ right alleged to have been infringed has to be revoked in accordance with
the provisions of article 23(1) of this Proclamation.
26. Counter Claim
1/ A defendant in an action against infringement may institute a counter claim for the revocation
of the plant breeders’ right in question, if it is revocable in accordance with Article 23(1) of this
Proclamation.
2/ The court shall order the revocation of the plant breeders’ right in question, if any of the
grounds specified in Article 23(1) of this Proclamation is proved to exist by the counter claim.
3/ Where the court orders the revocation of the plant breeders’ right, the defendant shall serve
the copy of the court order to the Ministry. Upon receiving the court order, the
Ministry shall register the revocation of the plant breeders’ right and give public notice of the
revocation.

PART FIVE
FARMERS’ RIGHT
27. Principle
Farmers’ Right stem from the enormous contibutions that local farmers have made and will
contiune to make in the consersvation and sustainable use of plant gentitic resources that
constitute the basis of breeding for food and agricultural production.
28. Farmers’ Right
1/ In relation to the use of plant varieties, farmers shall have the following rights:
a) to save, use, exchange and sell farm‐saved seed or propagating material of farmers’ varieties;
b) to use protected varieties including material obtained from gene banks or plant genetic
resource centres to develop farmers’ varieties;
c) to save, use, multply, exchange and sell farm‐saved seed or propagating material of protected
varieties.
2/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub‐Article (1) of this Article, farmers may not sell farm‐
saved seed or propagating material of a protected variety in the seed industry as a certified
seed.

PART SIX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
29. Penalty
Any person who infringes a plant breeders’ right shall, in addition to the confiscation of the seed
or propagating material of the protected variety which is the proceed of the infringement, be
punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine up to five thousand Birr or with
both such imprisonment and fine.
30. Appeals
A party who is aggrieved of a decision on the granting, refusal, revocation or restriction of a
plant breeders’ right may lodge an appeal to the federal high court within sixty days from the
date of receipt of the decision.
31. Fees
The amount and schedule of payment of fees to be paid in relation to plant breeders’ right shall
be determined by regulations to be issued hereunder.
32. Issuance of Regulations
The Council of Ministers may issue regulations for the proper implementation of this
Proclamation.
33. Implacable Laws
No law, regulation, directive or practice shall, in so far as it is inconsistent with this
Proclamation, have effect in respect of matters provided for by this Proclamation.
34. Effective Date
This Proclamation shall come into force upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazeta.
Done at Addis Ababa, this 27th day of February, 2006
GIRMA WOLDEGIORGIS
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

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Table of Contents

Pulses Area 1,228,564 1,344,091 1,446,730 1,391,731 1,328,618

Oil crops Area 740922 707059 875855 855147.41 780915.89

Crop category 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Cereals 8,072,561 8,463,080 8,730,001 8,770,118 9,233,025

Total 11,292,572 11,787,775 12,382,434 12,493,989 12,954,749

Crop 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Cereals 7,636,935 8,127,710 8,309,899 8,333,097 7,660,560

4.2. Formal Seed System

Crops 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Cereals 429,536 335,369 412,629 430,937 322,819

4.3. Integrated Seed System

2006/07 1179 515 43.68

2007/08 123777 35244 28.47

2006/07 555650 225310 40.55

5.3. Phytosanitary measures

Annex 1. Summary of Released/Registered varieties of crops

Number of released varieties

Permission is hereby granted to___________________________________________

Common name Botanical name Quantity

II. Additional Declaration

A.4 AMENDEMENT -----------------------------------------------------------------12

FORM- VC-B1-1 to 5. Application for release of varieties of various vegetable crops,

FORM- FRC-B2-1 to 6. Application for release of varieties of various fruit crops

II. STATURE OF THE NATIONAL VARIETY RELEASE COMMITTEE

Duties and responsibilities of the permanent secretary are presented as follows:

A. PART ONE: FIELD CROP

A. I. CONDITION FOR RELEASE

A.2.2 Appropriate data to support recommendations-yield, agronomic data, disease

A.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURE

A.2 Research commodity/project

A.3 Crop (with Latin name)

A.4 Variety designation (breeder’s reference)

A. 5. Background of the material including origin and pedigree

A. 6 Main positive feature(s) of the variety which make it an improvement to those in

Year 1. ___________ No. of location__________No. of varieties in

A.8.4 Pesticide applied, was not applied (circle one).

A.8.6 Qualities of products like acceptability, nutritional value/quality, utilization aspects

A. 9. Main morphological characteristics which distinguish this variety

Morphological characteristics Measurement or description

A.9. Recommended ecological zones of adaptation

A.11 Other remarks:

Name Institution Profession

Name ________________________________________ Signature________________

Breeder's seed Breeder's Nucleus cold

B. PART TWO: HORTICULTURAL CROPS

B.1 VEGETABLE CROPS, ROOTS AND TUBERS, AND ENSET

B.1.1 CONDITION FOR RELEASE.

B.1.1.6 A new variety should be assigned a permanent designation by the breeder/team

B.1.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

B.1.2.1 Complete morphological description of candidate variety (s);

B.1.3 EVALUATION PROCEDURES

B.1.3.6 Obsolete varieties or otherwise arising from genetic deterioration, loss of

B1.3 Crop (with Latin name)

B1.4 Variety designation (breeder’s reference)

B.1.5 Background of the material including origin and pedigree

Year 1._______No. Of location_________ _No. of varieties in

Regions /locations where trials were conducted

B1.8.3 This variety required (kg/ha) N___________, P___________, K _________

Year 1. _ No. of locationNo. of varieties in

Name ________________________ Signature

Year 1._No. Of location___ _No. of varieties in

B1.8.3 This variety required (kg/ha) N_____, P_, K _____

Name ________________________ Signature

Name ______________ Signature _