Substandard Seeds Impedes Food Production, Growth of Agric Sector – Minister

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mahmood Abubakar has urged Nigerians to report dealers of fake seeds to the relevant authorities for appropriate actions to be taken, saying the cultivation of substandard seeds would impede the food production levels and growth of the country’s agriculture sector.

Abubakar made the call during a sensitisation on quality seeds, which formed part of the activities at the 2021 SEEDCONNECT Africa Conference and Exhibition, .

This comes after the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), on Wednesday, launched a company positioned to bridge the gaps in the seed value chain in Nigeria and by extension, the West African region.

According to the minister, the availability and use of quality seeds would largely benefit the food production system in the country.

Abubakar said: “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, is about Nigeria, its people and the growth and development, our economic prosperity.

“Let us all be the ambassador of the use of good quality improved seeds, let us help the ministry to police those that are trying to sell bad seeds. If you see someone selling bad seeds it is your responsibility to alert the authorities.

“We have a unit in the Seed Council that is concerned that making sure that good quality seed is sold, no codex, don’t buy. Don’t buy any seed that is not approved by the Seed Council.”

Also, the minister pledged his support for the Nigerian Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) and other departments and agencies in both the public and private sectors, for the rapid development of the agricultural sector, to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

source agronigeria