Posted Fri, Aug 13, 2021 10:12 AM

NASC, NESG unveils the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Act 2021 In Abuja

The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) on Thursday the 12th of August, 2021 unveiled the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Act 2021 in an event that held in Abuja, Nigeria with the theme “Unveiling the Plant Variety Protection Act 2021 and Plans for Implementation.”

The CEO of the NESG, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola who was represented by the facilitator of the Agriculture and Food Security Policy Commission, Ms. Gloria Ekpo while delivering the welcome remarks said that the Nigerian Government and the National Assembly for signing the Plant Variety Protection Act, 2021 into law following deliberations, advocacy visits, closed-door meetings, expert reviews, traditional and digital campaigns in the last few months with diverse stakeholders and the citizenry.

“According to the Pan African Farmer Organisation (PAFO), the agriculture sector in Nigeria needs six times more seeds than it currently utilizes in order to fulfil its yield and production potential. As we foster productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural sector through the protection of the intellectual property rights of Nigerian plant breeders, it is our hope that there will be increase in seed production and better access to improved seed varieties by end-users,” Mr. Jaiyeola stated.

The Director-General of NASC, Dr. Philip Olusegun Ojo said that the unveiling is an important milestone and that before now, Nigeria was one of the few countries in Africa without a Plant Variety Protection system. He expressed his appreciation to the President, the National assembly, Minister for Agriculture, Development Partners, Media organisations and everyone involved in the successful development of the PVP.

Furthermore, the NASC Director-general revealed that there was one important remaining milestone left and that is the deposition of instrument of accession to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) which is the only requirement left to be met by the Country in her quest to become a full member of UPOV.

The Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono while delivering the keynote address said that innovation and research is key to the development of agriculture all over the world. He said that the government is giving an opportunity for knowledgeable people from the private sector to help drive the growth of the seeds sector.

“We are good at making laws but when it comes to implementation, we tend to drag our feet. That is why it is important that we focus on the proper implementation of the PVP Act. Agriculture is no joke and it has the potential to provide 70 percent of employment opportunities for the country.  There is a need to modernize our farming system and Nigeria currently undergoing massive agricultural mechanization in all 774 local governments of the country to ensure food security and sufficiency,” Alhaji Nanono stated.

The House Committee Chairman on Agric Production, Hon. Muntari Dandutse said that the purpose of the PVP Act 2021 is to aid the growth and development of Nigeria’s Agricultural Industry. He enjoined all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that the PVP Act is properly implemented.

While speaking in the same vein, the House Committee chairman on Agric Colleges & Institutions who sponsored the bill who also sponsored the Plant Variety Protection bill, Hon. Munir Danagundi said that there is a need for the seeds system to be thoroughly overhauled and much work still needs to be done to support breeders to develop stronger varieties for farmers. He enjoined research institutions to do more and that early generation seeds will be developed with the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders cutting across research institutions, the private and public sector.

While delivering a goodwill message, the Program officer for Seeds and Partnership, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Nigeria (AGRA), Dr. Thomas Arokoyo, said that AGRA has been a willing partner and in collaboration with other partners have supported NASC for the enactment of a PVP law. He restated the commitment of AGRA to agricultural transformation and that they remain keen about agricultural transformation through Intellectual Property Protection to aid the development of Nigeria’s seeds system.

The president of the Nigeria Plant Breeders Association (NPBA), Prof. Chiedozie Egesi said that the passage of the law puts Nigeria on the global space and will help the country address the challenges it faces in the agricultural sector. He revealed that the PVP Act 2021 will improve the development of new species and seeds and also help provide a system of reward for investments for farmers.

The deputy High commissioner, India High Commission, V.S.D.L. Surendra congratulated Nigeria for passing into law the Plant Variety Protection Act and that the Act presents an opportunity for India and Nigeria to strengthen agricultural partnerships, share expertise and knowledge for mutual economic development.

Dr. Folarin Okelola in his presentation on “Unveiling the Plant Variety Protection Act No 5 of 2021” said that the Act has 57 sections and 11 parts which speaks to all parts of seeds Intellectual Property protection and it serves to promote increased staple crop productivity for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and encourages investment in plant breeding and crop variety development. He further stated that the PVP Act 2021 promotes mutual accountability in the seeds sector and protects new varieties of plants based on novelty, distinctness, stability and uniformity.