Nigeria supplies more than 50 per cent of quality seeds that are being used in West Africa, according to the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC).

Dr Philip Ojo, the Director-General of the Council made this remark on Friday, November 26, 2021 while speaking to commence preparations for activities to mark the 2021 annual SeedConnect Africa Conference and Exhibition.

The SeedConnect Africa Conference and Exhibition creates an avenue to discuss ongoing innovations, identify critical gaps, develop strategic framework for scaling up delivery of high quality seeds to farmers, create network and business partnership platform between local, regional and international partners.

Dr Ojo said the sensitization was aimed at promoting the use of improved quality seeds and other agricultural enhancing technology for productivity gains led by Dr Mohammad Abubakar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He added that Nigeria had received invitations from other countries in West Africa that were interested in studying its seed production system.

“Other countries in West Africa are coming to learn what makes us big in seed production. We have gotten invitations from Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Gambia.

“Ghana will be coming with its delegation to come and study what we are doing here.”
Dr Philip Ojo, Director -General, NASC

He said planting of fake seeds would not only lead to poor yield, but would hamper the country’s economic prosperity and progress.

Avoid the Purchase of Adulterated Seeds

According to Dr Philip Ojo, “Nigeria supplies more than 50 per cent of quality seeds that are being used in West Africa.

“Nigeria is the giant of Africa and it will continue to be. Agriculture is the engine room of any economy. If you look around the world you will find out countries that are self-sufficient are the best.

“Planting of quality and improved seed is about the growth, development and our economic prosperity.”
Dr Philip Ojo, Director-General, NASC

He therefore called on Nigerians to disregard the purchase of seeds without ‘Seed Codex’, an electronic verification and authentication system introduced by NASC to enhance the efficiency of seed certification.

“We must adopt improved quality seeds, planting good quality seeds that have been approved by the seed council will lead to bumper harvest which will make the country food secure.

“Planting of adulterated seed will lead to low yield which is not good for the country. It is not about you, it is about Nigeria, its people and the growth and development, our economic prosperity.

“We have a unit in the seed council that is concerned with making sure that good quality seed is sold, if there is no ‘Codex’, do not buy.
Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

“Let us all be the ambassadors of the use of good quality improved seeds, let us help the ministry police those that are trying to sell adulterated seeds,” Abubakar said.

Meanwhile, the Conference is gaining more momentum as it enters into its fourth year in Nigeria’s seed industry.