SEED CERTIFICATION

A continuous process in which seeds of superior varieties are grown under varying degrees of supervision and quality testing to ensure its genetic identity, maintain varietal purity and meet certain quality standards before distributed to the farmers.

A legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed multiplication and production which consists of field and bin inspection, pre and post control tests and seed quality tests (FAO, 1969, Delonche and Potts, 1971).

A tool for producing genetically pure, good quality seed of improved variety.  It means that certain quality standards / requirements are fulfilled (Douglas, 1980).

Purpose

To maintain and make available to the farmers, high quality seeds of superior varieties so grown and distributed to ensure genetic identity and purity. In addition, other attributes of seed quality are considered – e.g. presence of weed seeds, other crop seeds, seed borne diseases, viability, mechanical purity.

Seed Certifying Organization in the Philippines

1. The seed-certifying agency in the country is the BPI-NSQCS which implements quality control procedures in certification both for seed stock production of government seed farms and private seed growers.

2. Field and seed inspection and seed lot sampling are conducted by Seed Inspectors. For seed lot verification, sampling can be done by SQCS personnel when deemed necessary.

3. Seed testing and other seed quality standards determination is conducted by the NSQCS and its Regional and Satellite seed Testing Laboratory.

4. Government and private seed producers or selected farmer-coop are eligible to produce specific classes of seeds.

Seed Certification Programs

1. Presence of crop varieties for seed certification.

2. Designation of classes recognized in the programs.

3. Establishment of minimum certification standards.

4. International Agreements in the National Seed Certification Program should not be developed and isolated from other countries or international institutions. For international trade in certified seed, reciprocal agreements are needed. Governments follow international schemes such as those of OECD for seed certification. These schemes are established among countries of OECD and the U.N.

Control measures and procedures/Methods of Certification

1. Seed/field inspection – seed crops are controlled by various inspections which may be confined to the standing seed crop or may also extended to drying, cleaning and storage facilities and production.

2. Seed sampling, labeling, sealing and not identification – seed sampling for certification is done by Seed Inspectors in accordance with International Rules on seed Testing and sampling procedures.

3. Seed Testing – procedures for seed testing is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ISTA.

4. Issuance of certificates, labeling and sealing – upon completion of all control measures required for certification, the result, whether approved or rejected is formally stated in a certificate/result of analysis submitted to parties concerned.

Tags are handed over to the Seed Inspector and under his supervision are fixed by lead sealing, adhesive tape or other means to each bag of certified seed.

Seed Certifying Oorganization

1. BPI – NSQCS

2. Seed Inspectors – shall deputized by the Director of the BPI

3. Seed Testing Laboratories – responsible for testing seed sample and issuance of tags.

4. Private Seed Producers – selected farmers with good standing based on prescribed qualification of certifying agency.

Steps in Seed Certification / Scheme 

1. Determining eligibility of the varieties

2. Verification of seed source

3. Application for certification

4. Field inspection  

• Preliminary inspection (2-3 inspections)

• Final inspection (1 inspection)

5. Field and seed standard

6. Seed Sampling – all seeds intended for certification are to be sampled

• All bags in a lot containing 10 bags or less are sampled.

• At least 10 bags in a lot not more than 10 bags but not more than 100 bags.

• At least 10% of the bags taken at random in a lot containing 250 bags or less be samples.

7. Seed testing – all seeds intended for certification are subject to laboratory testing.

8. Issuance of tags – tags are issued only to the seed inspector concerned.

Mechanics of Seed Certification

1. National Seed Industry Council

2. Seed Multiplication Scheme

3. Farmer Cooperators

4. Seed Inspectors

5. Crops eligible for certification

6. Field Inspections

7. Field and Seed Standards

8. Seed Sampling

9. Quality Tests Conducted

10. Issuance of results of analysis and tags