Democratic Republic of Congo

Last updated: January 2019
  • Region Western and Central Africa
  • UPOV membership status No
  • Participation in OECD Seed Schemes No
  • ISTA accredited member laboratories No
  • GM crop approval for cultivation No
  • Law on Plant Variety Protection No
Seed sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Compared to actual need, certified seed production is low in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while demand is high, and most available seeds are non-certified. Similarly, the foreign seed supply has not yet been formally established.

The country does not have a seed law in place. In November 2016, the DRC began developing the Commission Technique d’Admission au Catalogue des Variétés (CTAC). The CTAC is based on the harmonized Dar-es-Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security, which was adapted to the customs specific to the administration of the DRC and chaired by the secretary general in charge of agriculture and varietal listing in the national catalog, among others. Until the CTAC becomes operational, the Service National des Semences is publishing the varietal catalog.

Observations

There are 11 index companies in the DRC, but just three provide extension services. Only one company reports breeding, production and processing activities in the country, and this information was provided under non-disclosure.

Several national companies and seed-producing cooperatives (not selected for the index) are active in the country. These produce and sell seeds, mainly for field crops.

 

Index company activities identified in Democratic Republic of Congo
Company Crops in portfolio Company activities in country
Companies selected for
the Access to Seeds Index
Field
crops
Vegetables Breeding
location
Testing
location
Seed
production
Processing
location
Sales Extension
services
Bejo
Corteva Agriscience
East-West Seed
East African Seed
Limagrain
Pop Vriend Seeds
Sakata
Seed Co
Technisem

Other index companies are also active in the country. However, country-specific information for these companies is not available or was provided under a non-disclosure agreement.

Other companies identified in the regional landscaping study and their activities.

Company Crops in portfolio Company activities in country
Field
crops
Vegetable
crops
Breeding
location
Seed
production
Sales
Groupe d’Action pour la Valorisation de la Nature (GAVANAT)
Centre de Production de Semences (CEPROSEM)
CORIDEK
APSK
Institut National d’Etudes et des Recherches Agronomiques (INERA)
APSKO
CESIM

Leading seed producing cooperatives highlighted in cooperative study

Company Crops in portfolio Company activities in country
Field
crops
Vegetable
crops
Testing
location
Seed
production
Sales
GAVANAT
CORIDEK
APSKO