Photograph courtesy of Timothy A. Wise.
In response to the recent op-ed by Timothy Wise: Did Monsanto Write Malawi’s Seed Policy? Supply K. Chisi, Business Officer at the Seed Trade Association of Malawi wrote Food Tank with the following response:
I feel the story by Timothy Wise lacks critical information. The author seems to have no back ground information regarding seed fairs and no understanding of the seed policy being talked about and how it accomodates farmers right in terms of seed exchange. The story does not recognize who was actually leading the policy formulation process, or the institutions involved. Furthermore, the author did not contact the seed industry referred to in the press release (if true). The author does take the same meaning of seed and grain. It could have been essential to ask how seed fairs were being organized and how it was happening. There was no further statement on how seed fairs are set to be conducted. The story presents challenges in its use of word varieties and seed. Hopefully in the near future, the story covers issues in more details to the benefit of farmers, food, nutrition, and income security.
S. Chisi
This response has been edited for clarity.
