Posted Fri, Aug 30, 2019 2:24 AM

Popularising the National Agricultural Seeds Act: Moving from Farm Pain to Farm Gain

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in collaboration with the National Agriculture Seeds Council (NASC) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) held a regional consultative meeting on popularising the National Agricultural seeds Council act in Lagos on the 22nd of August and in Abuja on the 27th of August 2019. The regional consultative meeting was to popularize the National Agricultural Seeds Council Act and to ensure that farmers not only get the best possible seeds available, but also move from farm pain to farm gain.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NESG, Mr. ‘Laoye Jaiyeola while speaking at the events congratulated everyone on the signing into law of the act and harped on the importance of ensuring that the act is implemented, as it will ensure that farmers get the best quality seeds and yields.

Speaking at the events, the director-general NASC, Dr. Philip Ojo made it known that the mission of the NASC is to transform the Nigerian seeds system into a leading seed industry in Sub-Saharan Africa worthy of generating foreign exchange, key employer of labour and contributing positively to the country’s economy. He made it known that the NASC act as facilitators and regularly educate stakeholders, while also engaging in surveillance. He noted the importance of capacity building and that the NASC sends its staff out regularly on trainings and workshops. He mentioned that one of the core responsibilities of the NASC is to certify and de-certify seed companies; and that the council is collaborating with commodity associations and banks to ensure the best for the Nigerian agricultural ecosystem.

Various speakers reiterated the importance of the National Agricultural seeds Council act and how it can help to support local breeders in community seed production; by helping farmers grow. They also advocated for a scheme that allows farmers understand soil usage and plant their seeds to get the best possible yields.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is a private sector led think-tank organisation that promotes sustainable growth and development in the Nigerian economy. The group is a not-for profit/non-partisan organisation with a mandate to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, private sector-led economy that is globally competitive on a sustainable basis. Over the past two years, the NESG and AGRA has sensitized stakeholders across Nigeria to facilitate the assent and implementation of essential agricultural sector bills particularly the Seed, Fertilizer and Warehouse Receipt Bill. The Seed Bill was finally assented by the Nigerian President on the 24th of June, 2019.