06 Oct 2024

There are no certified Safflower seeds in Botswana currently.

A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture says it has come to the attention of the ministry that there is purported production of Safflower in the country despite there being no certified seeds by the Botswana government.

According to the statement, members of the public are, therefore, informed that all seeds which are used in Botswana, including Safflower seeds, must go through proper testing and certification in accordance with the Seed Certification Act, CAP 35:07; Laws of Botswana.

Consequently, the statement indicates that no one is allowed to sell Safflower seeds until such time that proper testing, certification and packaging is done in terms of the Act.

“The conditions that the seed dealers would have to abide by during the 2024/2025 cropping season are as follows: ensure that any seeds for sale as government-tested seeds, have undergone germination and moisture tests, and a certificate issued thereafter should be displayed conspicuously or in close proximity to such seeds; state the variety and present a statement giving the origin of the variety; package and label the seeds, indicating that such seeds are government-tested and certified as provided for in the Seed Certification Act, Cap 35:07, Laws of Botswana.”

Furthermore, the statement says members of the public should ensure that there is no mechanical or physical mixture of varieties or different varieties bulked and sold in one lot.

It states that Safflower seeds shall be sold from valid registered seed dealers only, adding that all must ensure that the harvest obtained after 2024/25 shall not be used as parent seed to produce seed for the following seasons but could be used for anything else which may be deemed fit.

The statement cautions all to request sampling of seeds for germination and moisture tests through the Office of Director of Crop Production. ENDS