Seed Methodology (2017)
EBA seed indicators aim to identify obstacles affecting the timely release and production of high-quality seed by the formal seed supply system, by examining the regulatory environment for plant breeding, registration of new varieties and seed quality control.
- Is a maize variety developed by the private sector.
- Is being registered for the first time in the entire country.
- Has not been registered in any other country.
Note: In exceptional cases when maize varieties are not being developed by the private sector in the country, we consider imported maize variety, which may have been previously registered elsewhere.
A procedure is defined as any interaction of the seed company’s owner, manager or employees with external parties, including any relevant government agencies, lawyers, committees, public and private inspectors and technical experts. All procedures are counted that are legally or in practice required for the seed company to release a new variety of seed. Procedures are consecutive but can be simultaneous.
Time is recorded in calendar days and captures the median duration of each procedure. The time span for each procedure starts with the first filing of the application or demand, and ends once the last procedure required to release a new seed variety on the market has been fulfilled, such as the listing in the national catalog or gazette. Any tests performed by the seed company prior to filling an application are not counted. The minimum time for each procedure is one day. The calendar days for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and value for cultivation and use (VCU) tests are determined based on the number of testing seasons required by the authority and the number of cropping seasons existing in the country, as follows:
Countries with two cropping seasons per year:
- If one season is required by law to perform the tests, 135 days are counted for the testing procedure.
- If two seasons are required by law to perform the tests, 275 days are counted for the testing procedure. This accounts for the two seasons of 135 days each and 5 days to account for the time needed to plow and prepare the land before the next cropping season (135+5+135 = 275 days).
Countries with one cropping season per year:
- If one season is required by law to perform the tests, 182 days are counted for the testing procedure.
- If two seasons are required by law to perform the tests, 547 days are counted for the testing procedure. This accounts for the full calendar year including one season (365 days) and an additional testing season (182 days).
Only official costs are recorded, including fees and taxes. In the absence of fee schedules, a government officer’s estimate is taken as an official source. In the absence of government officer’s estimate, estimates by seed companies are used. If several seed companies provide different estimates, the median reported value is applied. Professional fees (for example, notary fees) are only included if the company is required to use such services. All costs are recorded as a percentage of the country’s income per capita.
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