Reforming the field of modern seed production in Ukraine

Abstract

Goal. Based on the diagnosis of the state of seed production in Ukraine and the analysis of international experience to justify the model of industry reform, compatible with the European integration obligations of the state. Methods. The methods of institutional analysis, comparative legal analysis, scenario economic modeling, and normative-project analysis were applied. Results. The reasons why, despite the existence of sufficient legislation, the seed market in Ukraine operates mainly outside the legal field were identified. In particular, for the harvest of 2024, only 6.67% of the area was sown with certified seeds of winter and spring wheat, and a significant part of the collected soybeans (according to estimates, up to 80%) included genetically modified products that were sold on world markets without proper labeling. According to the results of the comparative analysis of the regulatory systems of France, Germany and Poland, the concept of reforming the industry in 3 interrelated areas was substantiated: the creation of a single competent authority for protecting the rights to plant varieties and certification of seeds, the introduction of a transparent contribution from the export of commodity grain to the development of selection work (according to the French CRIV model), the construction of a single digital traceability system of seed material from sowing to a certificate. Conclusions. Seed production in Ukraine is an industry with sufficiently developed legislation, with an insufficient level of its implementation. The proposed reform should be financed by market mechanisms and provide the expected annual effect, which is estimated to approach 700 million dollars, and aligns the industry with the ever-increasing demands of the EU.