Agriculture
Nigeria Targets Massive Seed Export, Joins OECD
The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) has commenced a move to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which will give way for Nigeria to explore the global seed industry.
This move is also expected to allow more foreign seed companies to produce seeds in Nigeria and sell to other countries, having the backing of OECD.
At the end of Practical training of Seed Certification Officer in Abuja by NASC, in conjunction with OECD, the Director General of NASC, Dr Philip Ojo, told journalists that the training is an OECD seed scheme capacity building programme to train seed certification officers on the standard and certification scheme and inspection activities of OECD.
“The reason is that we in the industry must be part of the global structure, and the way to go is that the OECD scheme seed companies here can participate in International seed trade, and there are rules and regulations concerning this, that is exactly what this training is all about”, Dr Ojo stated.
He said a total of thirty persons have been trained so far, adding that “we have many seed certification officers, this is train the trainer training”, he added
Director Seed Certification and Quality Control at NASC, Dr Ishaq Khalid, said the aim of the training is for Nigeria to take advantage of global seed trade.
He said Nigeria, today, has a restricted market in West Africa for seed trade due to a standard issue which is currently being addressed.
“We are principally targeting seed trade. If you observe our market, particularly the vegetable seeds, we hardly have made in Nigeria seeds. You will see all vegetable seeds standard and substandard from every part, making this place a dumping ground.
“Nigeria has to take its place in the global seed industry. It is a source to also earn foreign exchange. We encourage foreign investors to come and produce the seeds here and market in other countries because we want to create jobs.
“The question of substandard seeds will also phase out because if you are a member of OECD, if your seed is coming to Nigeria, it must not be below the minimum standard.
“Nigeria has started some level of international seed trade, particularly within the West African Sub Region. We were not able to go further because they do not believe in our standard.
“Now that we are aspiring to be member of the OECD, they will not be looking at our seed like Nigerian standard, rather as OECD standard.
“In Nigeria we already have some international seed companies, so they know that anywhere they go to trade these seeds, they will be OECD standard, our indigenous companies are not doing badly too, we want them to very used to this standard”, he noted.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
