The government of Anambra state has expressed readiness to partner with National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to rid the state of fake and adulterated seeds.
The Anambra state Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Nnamdi Onukwuba who disclosed this during a rice seed sensitization visit at Umunbo, Ayamelum Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra state recently, warned unauthorised seed peddlers to steer clear of the seed industry or face the full weight of the law.
“Anambra state government will not tolerate any seed producer that is not registered by NASC. We are together with NASC in this fight against adulterated seeds which has hampered crop productivity in the state. We must get it right this time”, he added.
The agricultural boss who commended the South-East Regional Director of NASC, Pastor Ike Okalanwa, for their efforts to sanitize the seed industry in the region, also urged Anambra farmers to stop using adulterated seeds and embrace NASC certified quality seeds for bumper harvest.
Onukwuba further described Gov. Willie Obiano as agricultural-friendly governor, adding that the state is committed towards honouring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with Zee Seeds company to buy off certified seeds produced for Anambra farmers to enhance food security in the state.
Meanwhile, NASC, has reiterated its resolve to rid the seed industry of fake and adulterated seeds in order to enhance food security in Nigeria.
The South-East Regional Director, NASC, Pastor Ike Okalanwa, who stated this at the event, added that the essence of the enlightenment is to; create awareness on the need for farmers to patronize quality seeds for bumper harvest, highlight to farmers, the basic distinguishing features between seeds and grains, educate stakeholders in the seed industry on the guidelines regulating the industry among others.
He regretted that the incidence of adulterated seeds has hampered agricultural productivity and called on farmers to always use improved quality seeds for better yield in crop production in the country.
The NASC regional boss, who further revealed that the council has 314 accredited seed entrepreneurs in various categories, maintained that unauthorised seed peddlers would be severely dealt with according to the provisions o the law.
He noted that the council, which is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) is saddled with the responsibility of regulating seeds as well as sanitize the Nigeria seed market.
“The provisions of the National Agricultural Seeds Acts, No. 72 of 1992 among other things entrusts NASC with the overall development and regulation of national seed industry”, he explained.
He further disclosed that to regulate the seed market effectively, the council has put in place the following: creation of seed inspectorate department, inauguration of seed inspectors nationwide, migration from visual diagnosis to scientific diagnosis, introduction of seed tracker, electronic authentication of seeds, farmers’ helplines among others.
Contributing, the Chief Executive Officer, Zee Seeds Nig. Ltd., Mr. Emeka Azuka, expressed hope that the joint venture between Zee Seeds and Anambra state ministry of agriculture would yield dividends, adding that; “though the 2018 certified rice seeds harvest are yet to be absorbed by the government of Anambra state as contained in their MoU”.
Mr. Azuka thanked the Agric commissioner and NASC Regional Director for coming with their teams to sensiitize Ayamelum LGA which covers, Umunbo, Omor, Coscharis farm, Josan Giant Mill among others on certified quality seeds.
