News

On the sidelines of the 2022 edition of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress, South African Dr. Kulani Machaba was elected President of the Association.

He succeeds Kenyan Azariah Soi, who has held the AFSTA presidency since 2020.

Dr Kulani Machaba takes over the reins of AFSTA for a two (02) year term. He is due to hand over the reins to the first Vice-President, Dr Amadou Sarr from Senegal, next year.

The newly elected Chairman intends to use his mandate to drive forward the Alliance's current strategic plan and create an environment conducive to innovation in the African seed trade.

To achieve this, he is focusing on improving the services provided to AFSTA members, by promoting the cross-border movement of quality seeds in Africa, and improving partnerships and collaboration with various players in the seed trade.

Dr Machaba has over 20 years' experience in the agricultural sector and in seed regulation. 

He has long been a member of AFSTA's Board of Directors, representing the South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR), of which he is a long-standing member.

Dr Machaba is Head of Regulatory Affairs for Corteva Agriscience's Africa Middle East region.

Founded in 2000, AFSTA is an umbrella association that brings together Africa's National Seed Associations and seed companies, with the aim of creating an adequate regulatory, phytosanitary and commercial framework and environment to facilitate the circulation and availability of quality seeds to farmers across the continent.