Council, partners develop framework for national seed policy

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), says it will partner with the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) and Harvest Plus to develop framework for National Seed Policy.The Acting Director of the Council, Dr Isaq Khalid, stated this at a two-day national seed policy implementation framework development workshop on Wednesday in Kano.Khalid said that it was imperative to prioritise policy that drive the system in view of the new technologies in agriculture.Khalid said the seed industry was still evolving and being a critical input in enhancing agricultural productivity in Nigeria.'The new 2022 seed policy was put in place to support Nigeria's agribusiness investment activity to feed the future project.'The policy statement is aimed at achieving a robust National Seed System that enhances private sector participation in seed industry, and also define roles for public and private sector.'This include liberalisation of Foundation Seed (FS) production and marketing by private seed accredited enterp rise,' he said.According to Khalid, affixation of seed codex label in addition to the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) certification are tag to every seed package as a quality authentication tool.He said the council has expanded its operations by deploying modern technologies, procurement of modern equipment, human and infrastructural capacity development as well as strengthened cooperation's with relevant bodies.The council, he said, encouraged youths and women participation in seed value chain from breeding to marketing.Also speaking, the President of the NABG, Mr Kabir Ibrahim, said quality seeds lead to better yields, enhance food security and income for farmers.Source: News Agency of Nigeria