| Sumario: | Policy formulation, harmonization and implementation is one of the core mandates for ASARECA. ASARECA works closely with Regional Economic Communities to support regional policy formulation and harmonization processes. For example, ASARECA has in the past (2010) supported the development of EAC certification standards for potato and EAC standards for potato crisps, fried potato chips and fresh ware potato. A survey conducted by ASARECA in 2023 showed that the EAC certification standards for potato were adopted and implemented in partner states of Burundi and Kenya.
In 2022, the EAC developed and adopted the Regional Seed Potato Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032), aimed at enhancing seed potato multiplication and ware potato productivity, consumption, and trade, and contributing to wealth creation and development. In 2024, ASARECA organized national policy dialogues for potato value chain actors in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, aiming to promote the use of certified seed potatoes among smallholder farmers in EAC member states and identify policy hindrances in the potato value chain. The national dialogues discussed: (i) policy hindrances and incentives to improve the use of certified seed among farmers, (ii) strategies for increasing the number of farmers accessing seed from specialized seed multipliers; and (iii) the need for productivity enhancement in the region to unlock the full potential of the potato sector. The national dialogues generated pertinent policy issues for discussion and consideration at the regional level.
It is against this background that ASARECA, in partnership with the EAC Secretariat, organized this regional policy dialogue to complement ongoing initiatives aimed at building an effective and efficient seed potato delivery system. This is achieved by monitoring the implementation of existing seed potato policies, regulations, and standards to benefit EAC member states. The dialogue: (i) sensitized potato value chain actors and stakeholders about existing regional policies, laws, standards and protocols; (ii) assessed progress of implementation of the Regional Seed Potato Strategy and Action Plan within the region; (iii) discussed seed potato demand articulation and strategies for scaling production of certified seed potato; (iv) identified barriers hindering implementation of the Regional Seed Potato Strategy and Action Plan; and (v) discussed modalities for tracking implementation of the Regional Seed Potato Strategy and Action Plan.
The regional policy dialogue brought together 76 participants (55 male and 21 female) from all eight EAC Partner States and other countries in West Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Participants comprised representatives from the National Agricultural Research Institutes; Ministries of Agriculture; Ministries of East African Community Affairs; private sector, East African Community Secretariat; farmer organizations; academia, potato associations; international agricultural research organizations; Development Partners; media and ASARECA Secretariat.
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