In order to regulate and control seed systems, every country should have its own Variety Release Committee (VRC) to formally and orderly introduce varieties on the market and avoid releasing the same variety more than once. The Committee is also supposed to confirm the merits of the claims linked to the proposed varieties for release.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) of the Kingdom of Lesotho has established a Variety Release Committee whose responsibilities are to review proposals for release of new varieties, define eligibility requirements for the varieties, arrange for reciprocal recognition of varieties with other SADC countries, prepare a national variety list and add or delete to the national variety list. The Committee held its first meeting on the 27th to 29th June 2025. The main objective was to review proposals from scientists who intended to release varieties generated during the implementation of the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA).
 VRC Secretary |  Rep. from seed producing company |  Dep. of Marketing rep. |
Secretary of Variety Release Committee, Mrs Marankoe Selikane, highlighted that MAFSN is mandated to ensure that farmers have access to good quality seed varieties. She indicated that such seeds should be suitable and perform well in the specific agro-ecological zones of Lesotho. The VRC will also ensure that plant breeders’ intellectual property rights are not violated. Mrs Selikane further noted that during the meeting, members of the VRC were made aware of their huge responsibilities in the committee.
Mr. Leuta Matete, representing seed-producing companies, expressed his appreciation to MAFSN for establishing the Variety Release Committee (VRC), noting that its formation was long overdue. He emphasized that the committee will help ensure that only certified seeds are made available to farmers, especially in government-supported programmes such as subsidy schemes. Meanwhile, Mrs. Nothembile Nobala from the Department of Marketing highlighted that one of their roles in the VRC is to ensure that the varieties included on the national seed list support farmers in adopting and benefiting from commercial farming practices.
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Members of VRC engaging on their responsibilities during the meeting
The newly established Variety Release Committee (VRC) comprises members drawn from key stakeholders across the seed system. These include the Department of Agricultural Research, Department of Crops, Department of Field Services, the Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Lesotho, the National Farmers’ Organization, the Plant Protection Office, National Seed Services, the Department of Marketing (Agriculture), a seed industry representative, a breeder, and a representative from the agro-processing sector.
Source: Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) of Lesotho
