Call for Expression of Interest to Recruit Private Seed Inspectors

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Call for Expression of Interest to Recruit Private Seed Inspectors

1. Background and Context

The seed sector in Malawi involves both the public and private players. The main private players in the formal seed sector in Malawi are seed companies and seed growers. Seed companies and growers are registered by Seed Services Unit (SSU) to produce and market good quality certified seed of released improved crop varieties. The services offered by SSU include registration of seed growers, seed crop fields’ inspections, seed sampling, laboratory seed testing, pre and post control testing of varieties, and facilitation of exports and imports.

SSU is mandated by the Seed Act of 2022 and operates under the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS) in the Ministry of Agriculture. Seed Services Unit carries out its activities at Lunyangwa, Lifuwu, Bumbwe and Chitedze Agricultural Research Stations.

The registered seed companies and individual farmers produce mainly certified seed for maize, soya, groundnuts, beans and vegetative propagated crops. The number of companies and farmers involved in the production of certified seed is increasing. The DARS has a mandate to ensure that high quality seed of improved crop varieties is made available to the farmers. In order to fulfill this mandate, seed fields must be timely and adequately inspected.

The Department of Agricultural Research Services’ (DARS)-Seed Services Unit (SSU), in collaboration with the Seed Trade Association of Malawi (STAM) is implementing the Malawi Improved Seed Systems for Sustainable Agriculture (MISSSA) project with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in Partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The MISSSA project has resources allocated towards recruitment, training and accrediting successful individuals to support provision of seed certification and quality control services under the supervision of DARS. The accredited private seed Inspectors will be required to provide specific services to seed companies and individual growers registered by Seed Services unit.

2. Training Duration
The candidates will undergo one year practical and theoretical training, and only those that will pass end of course exam will be accredited and authorised as private seed Inspectors. Seed Inspector licenses will be renewed every two year after performance audit.

Candidates will be required to fund their accommodation and transport during theoretical training.

3. Qualifications

• Applicants should possess a minimum of Bachelors Degree in Agronomy, Crop Science or any agricultural related field.
• Candidates should be between 20 and 30 years old.
• Both government employed agricultural extension workers and unemployed graduates can apply.

4. Application Submission

All applications should be sent to

The Secretary General
Seed Trade Association of Malawi
P. O Box 2505
LILONGWE
Email: staminformation@gmail.com

Closing date for receiving applications in 29th December 2024.