FAO / ECO Technical Cooperation Programme for Strengthening Seed Supply in ECO Region

ECO Secretariat, Tehran, 22 February 2006 

Press Release

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) signed a project document today in the ECO Secretariat, Tehran on Technical Cooperation Programme to strengthen seed supply in the ECO region. Mr. Askhat Orazbay, ECO Secretary General and Dr. Mubashar Riaz Sheikh, FAO Representative signed the document on behalf of ECO and FAO respectively.

Through the Programme FAO will allocate US$ 365,000 to be used in activities for enhancing seed supply in the region. In addition to the FAO’s financial contributions, ECO is also contributing US$ 40,000 to the project from its Feasibility Fund.

ECO region is characterized by low variable rainfall and extremes of temperature with a landscape being a mixture of mountains, deserts and steppes. Some countries in the region are in transition from a centrally driven economy towards a market-driven economy. Meanwhile agriculture sector plays a key role for most of ECO countries having on average more than 20 percent share in the GDP.

Quality of seeds plays a key role in agricultural productivity. FAO /ECO Seed project targets efficient seed production, distribution and marketing systems in ECO member countries and in the medium term, establishment of ECO Seed Association.

Especially stimulation of  private sector activities, addressing issues of seed marketing, and connecting /networking seed sectors in the countries with international seed systems and regulations are of particular concern for the project.

Within the project several workshops /events for seed marketing, harmonization of legislations and the First ECO Regional Seed Conference will be organized bringing together seed sector stakeholders of the region, international specialists in seed regulations, seed producing and marketing companies and programme management.

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