Nigeria’s Seed Market Now Worth Over 400billion Naira, NASC Boss

The Nigerian government says it produced half a million metric tons of seeds valued at over four hundred billion Naira.

 

The Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Seed Council, Dr Ishiaku Khalid disclosed this in an interview with Voice of Nigeria Agriculture Correspondent Ene Okwanihe at the sideline of the two day SeedConnect Africa conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

 

Dr. Khalid noted that the government has made progress in the area of seed production thereby resulting in earning revenue for the country.

 

“Nigeria, for the first time under this government, produced close to half a million metric tons. And that has injected over 450 billion into the economy”.

 

He noted that bringing together seed stakeholders from all over Africa to brainstorm and chart a way forward for the African seed sector has impacted the Nigerian seed system positively.

 

“Some of the innovations we introduced are products of some of the challenges we recognize in the seed industry. So, since we have people who are practicing this from all parts of the world, we come together, we brainstorm, and we come up with solutions. For instance, the SeedCodex today, the City Tracker, and all these platforms that will enhance the performance of the entire seed”.

 

Speaking on the awareness campaign for farmers to key into the idea of using quality certified seeds in place of saved up grains, Dr. Khalid said the agency is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to change the narrative.

 

He said any farmer that chooses to reuse grains instead of certified seeds, is impoverishing his or herself.

 

You see, seed is a biological entity, and so it is subject to deterioration. So, you will now choose to keep your own seed, and from there, you are continuously planting this. This seed is degenerating. So, it is always advisable for farmers to always grow a seed. That’s why we have the producers of breeders’ seeds.

 

Dr. Khalid, aded that the seed connect is the largest gathering of seed experts in Africa, where ideas are exchanged, and seed projects are used to enhance the production of seeds.

 

The SeedConnect is an annual event organized by the National Agricultural Seed Council in collaboration with other stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyenike Oyeniyi