3B. SEED PURCHASE PROCEDURES
The following notes attempt to give some guidance to individuals and organisations
(NGOs for example) involved with buying seed in large quantities. Depending on the
circumstances, it may not be necessary to include all of the following points in a seed
purchase contract. However, the more details that are included in the contract, the lower
is the danger of misunderstandings, delays and possible litigation arising between the
seed supplier/seller and seed purchaser/buyer.
The Contract
Purchase / Contract Number.
seller (vendor or supplier).
Currency. eg Somali Shillings
Unit.eg Metric Ton (MT or tonne)
Description. eg Open pollinated maize seed, variety Katumani
Unit Price. eg 10,000
Total Cost. eg 250,000 Somali Shillings (two hundred and fifty thousand Somali
shillings). This is a fixed price Contract and increase of taxes, duties or other costs will
not influence the Contract in any manner whatsoever and the price agreed herein shall
remain binding without variation.
Specifications. Year/season of harvest, min.% pure seed (99%), other crop seed (0.2%
max.), infected/infested seed (0.02% max.), inert matter (2%), germination (X% min.),
moisture content, seed treated/dressed (no, or what type of dressing). Percentages
should follow the laws/standards of the country in question. Absence of Striga weed
seed (and certain seed borne diseases) should be guaranteed.
Inspection.This Contract is subject to quality acceptance by the survey/inspection
company mandated by the buyer (or government authority), and at the buyers cost,
before loading at the seller s warehouse. Inspection regarding quality, quantity and
purity will be carried out on a lot defined as a quantity of X MT of the seed. The seller
will inform the buyer on the readiness of this quantity days in advance (2–4 is
reasonable) so that the buyer has time to organise the inspection. The seller will be
responsible for the quantity and quality delivered according to the agreed specification.
In case of delivery of seed that does not conform to the conditions stated above, the
buyer has the right to take the appropriate legal steps according to the law of the
country in question. The certificate of weight and quality will be established by the
survey company mandated by the buyer. If samples are taken, they will be sealed in
packets, which shall be signed by the survey company and the seller. One sample will
remain with the seller and two samples will be delivered to the survey company for
laboratory analysis. The seller should note that failure to meet the buyer s standards
outlined in this Contract may affect the awarding of future contracts.
310 TONY WINCH
Goods. eg Maize Seed (Zea mays)
Name, address, phone & fax numbers, e-mail address of the buyer (eg NGO) and the
Quantity. eg 25MT (2500 × 10 kg packed in 500 × 50 kg bags)