POLICY CONSTRAINTS TO AGRIBUSINESS INVESTMENT

Access to foundation seed. Are private firms allowed to produce foundation seed (from either their own or others’ breeder seed)? Or are private firms able to import foundation seed to use in seed multiplication?

Are foreign seed companies allowed to produce foundation seed in country? If so, what is the approval process? What do the field trials, lab tests and evaluation of trial findings cost?

Are foreign seed companies allowed to establish offices in country and import certified seed directly for sale/distribution to farmers?

Must foreign seed companies establish JVs with local partners, or identify local distributors who have exclusive distribution rights?

Are local seed companies able to import certified seed? Assuming yes, how long does it take to get permission to bring in a new year? What is entailed by way of field trials and costs?

Are there any taxes or duties on seed imports?

What steps and approvals are required (from whom) to import seed after the imported variety has been approved? (source of origin certificate, phyto-sanitary approval, duty payment, other)

What are the steps for registering and licensing a seed enterprise? Time, cost, levels of approvals.

What steps are required to register and license a fertilizer importer, distributor, blender, and retail sales point (agro-dealership)? Time, cost.

Is there a fertilizer regulatory agency? If so, does it require tests (laboratory and/or in fields)? How long do lab tests take and what do they cost? How long (no. agricultural seasons) are tests conducted on fields (at research institutes and/or in farmers’ fields)?

Are micro-nutrients (supplements, amendments) subject to particular testing regimes? Once approved for import, can they be added to more standard fertilizer formulations (NPK, e.g.) without requiring further tests (in labs or on crops in fields)? Or is such a “new” formulation considered a “new” fertilizer subject to multi-year, multi-locational tests?