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Warehouse Receipt System Council participated in the COMSHIP Regional Dialogue Stakeholders Meeting, held from 5th to 6th August 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia. Convened by the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) under the COMESA Smallholder Horticulture Improvement Programme (COMSHIP), the forum brought together stakeholders from COMESA Member States to advance the operationalization of the COMESA Seed Information System (COMSIS) and the Regional Seed Labelling and Certification System.
Discussions focused on harmonizing seed certification and labelling, strengthening seed traceability and facilitating regional seed trade. Stakeholders reviewed operational procedures, commercialization and sustainable financing options for the regional system. The forum also provided a platform for the official launch and demonstration of COMSIS, which will support the collection, management and exchange of seed-related information across Member States.
The forum culminated in a three-phase implementation roadmap, beginning with validation of operational procedures in Q3 2026, followed by deployment of COMSIS and training of National Seed Authorities, ahead of the issuance of COMESA Seed Labels in selected Member States by Q2 2027.
The initiative is expected to strengthen regional cooperation, improve access to certified and traceable seed, and contribute to a more integrated and competitive agricultural trading environment across COMESA Member States.