b'threat from foreign pests andnew group represents nearlyof $11 million, according to aall households, but hit the diseases. 720 seed growers acrossrelease by the bank group. poorest most severely, said Our biosecurity systemwestern Canada. The support will help buildNnenna Nwabufo, the banks needs ongoing resources thatThe two organizationsup the supply of enhanceddirector general for East are dedicated to keeping ourhave long shared the samewheat, sunflower and riceAfrica.borders safe from harmful andgoals and marketing oppor- seeds that are resilient to theTanzania imports over 90% dangerous pests and diseases. tunities, Niemela said. It wasclimate. Funds will also ensureof its wheat, with 67% coming The agriculture industrytime to make it official andfertilizer is available andfrom Russia and Ukraine. is working towards a target ofbecome one organization.affordable and will back poli- Nearly 47% of the countrys $100 billion in value in 2030This expansion opens thecies that improve the regula- vegetable oils come from the and requires a robust anddoor for more robust informa- tory environment for the rapidtwo countries and close to effective biosecurity systemtion sharing and advocacy foruptake of certified seeds and25% of their fertilizer is from to protect crops and com- our furthest west, pedigreedfertilizers, added the release. Russia, shared the release.munities for harmful pests andseed producers. The Russia-UkraineBeneficiaries include 1,000 diseases. conflict, combined with thesmall and medium-scale seed Source: AUSVEG impacts from COVID-19,producers and agro-dealers STATUS TANZANIA climate change and resultantand 10,000 unemployed The board of directors fromhigh prices for fuel and ferti- young women and men STATUS CANADA the African Developmentlizer, has an adverse impact onthrough jobs in the wheat, The amalgamation of theBank Group recentlypoverty and food insecurity.sunflower and fertilizer value Alberta Seed Growers andannounced they will be offer- Increases in the cost of ediblechains, said the release. SWthe British Columbia Seeding $73.5 million to back aoils, rice and wheat will affect Growers is now official, a Juneprogram made to enhance 22 news release said. Thefood production in Tanzania new organizations title is theby a million tons over threeRestoring the Alberta-British Columbia Seedyears.Growers (ABCSG). The Tanzania Agriculturalnative landscapeWe are excited to beInputs Support Project began under one umbrella within September 2022 and will the British Columbia Seedrun through June 2025. The Growers, Tracy Niemela,project, created by the bank ABCSG president said in thegroups African Emergency release. We want to ensureFood Production Facility, sets that seed growers in Britishout to address the potential Columbia have the same levelfood crisis worsened by the of recognition and promotionwar in Ukraine. The goal is to for their pedigreed seed asstrengthen the countrys abil-growers across the country. ity to become self-sufficient The release noted bothfor wheat and edible oil manu-Alberta and B.C. are criti- facturing by 2030.cal players in Canadas seedThe approval includes a industry, and as a united asso- $2.5 million grant from the ciation ABCSG will continue toresources of the African provide marketing opportuni- Development Fund, the bank ties and advocacy for mem- groups concessional window bers locally, regionally, andand a $71 million loan. Thehttps://bit.ly/nationally. The process startedbanks contribution representsErnstSeedWorldover a year and a half ago,87.3% of the projects total with members in both associa- cost, estimated at $84.07800 - 873 - 3321tions later voting to amalgam- million. The Tanzanian govern- sales@ernstseed.comate their memberships. Thement will provide the balance OCTOBER 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /75'