Proposed license fees for crop variety won’t increase seed prices — Seed association pledges

The Zambia Trade Seed Association has assured that the introduction of proposed license fees for crop varieties will not lead to an increase in seed prices in the market.

The government’s proposal included the introduction of license fees for crop variety registration, certified seed sales, and parental lines, aimed at strengthening regulation within the sector.

However, association president Marx Mbinji clarified that these fees would primarily affect a few seed companies that rely on the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) for research and development, rather than those conducting independent research.

Mbinji, speaking in an interview with journalists in Lusaka on Friday, said the impact would be minimal because the majority of seed companies in Zambia were already engaged in their own research programs, making them less dependent on ZARI.

“As a result, the proposed licensing fees will not cause a price hike for seeds on the market,” Mbinji said.

He emphasized that only a handful of companies would need to adjust to the new fees, and they were unlikely to pass on those costs to consumers.

Mbinji also expressed confidence that the proposed fees would bring about much-needed regulation and order in the seed industry.

He highlighted that ZARI would benefit from the additional resources generated through licensing, which would, in turn, enhance its research and development efforts.

“This will help ZARI enhance its research as it will have adequate resources that will be generated from the licensing fees,” Mbinji said.

He affirmed the positive long-term impact of the policy on Zambia’s agricultural sector.

The association remained optimistic that the introduction of these fees would not only support research institutions like ZARI but also contribute to the sustainable growth of the seed industry in Zambia without burdening farmers or consumers with higher prices.

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