The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), has reiterated their resolve to rid the seed industry of fake and adulterated seeds in order to enhance food security in Nigeria.
The Director General (DG), NASC, Dr. Philips Olusegun Ojo, who stated this recently during the seeds market sensitization in Umuahia Abia State, added that the essence of the enlightenment is to; create awareness on the need for farmers to patronize quality seeds for bumper harvest, point out to farmers, the basic distinguishing features between seeds and grains, educate stakeholders in the seed industry on the guidelines regulating the industry among others.
The DG of the council, represented by the Director, Seed Inspectorate department, Mr. Agboola Adebayo 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 boss, who further revealed that the council has 314 accredited seed entrepreneurs in various categories, warned unauthorised seed peddlers to steer clear, adding that defaulters 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.
He urged seed inspectors and other stakeholders along the seed value chain to be friendly, fair and firm while carrying out their duties, emphasizing that the aim is not to victimize anyone but to make corrections where necessary and reposition the seed industry to boost food production in the country.
In his welcome address, the Regional Director, NASC South-East, Pastor Ike Okalanwa congratulated the DG NASC, on his reappointment by President Muhammad Buhari, maintaining that it is well deserved.
He thanked him and his team for coming to South-East and assured the DG that he would not rest until this awareness get to the grassroots of South-East Nigeria.
Okalanwa further appealed to the DG that the sensitization should be sustained on regular basis, adding that it will equip the staff to handle effectively seed matters in the region and the country at large.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer, Nwwbudo Agro Input and Seed Company, Chief Christopher Nwanevu welcomed the DG to Abia state and thanked him for his commitment towards moving the seed industry in Nigeria forward.
