‘High quality seeds enhance agricultural production’

Ojo, represented at the field day visit of Romarey farm in Shendam, Plateau State, by the Head of NASC in the state, Mr. Adelere Emmanuel Olusola, said improved seed is one of the most important keys to achieving socio-economic development.He said that the development and adoption of improved seeds, the availability of food at prices […]

Ojo, represented at the field day visit of Romarey farm in Shendam, Plateau State, by the Head of NASC in the state, Mr. Adelere Emmanuel Olusola, said improved seed is one of the most important keys to achieving socio-economic development.
He said that the development and adoption of improved seeds, the availability of food at prices profitable for producers and affordable by the consumers and a reduction in rural poverty in many developing nations are responsible for successful achievements in green revolution.
He said making high quality seed available to Nigerian farmers was necessary for the transformation of the predominantly subsistence agricultural production system and achievement of meaningful agricultural productivity in the country.
He added one of the most critical problems facing farmers in the country was inadequate quality seeds, resulting in the use of grains from previous season’s harvest and or purchasing of grains in the open market and using them as seeds.
“Approximately, Nigeria requires a total of 1million metric tonnes of improved seeds of maize, rice, sorghum, cowpea, soybean and groundnuts every year. Currently, there are 73 licensed seed entrepreneurs in Nigeria producing an estimate of less than 10% of the National seed requirement.
“Another equally disturbing problem is low adoption of improved crop varieties which ultimately result in low productivity. This has been attributed to lack of awareness creation on the part of farmers. This is why what Romarey Seeds is doing today is quite commendable. Last year, he successfully hosted two (2) farmer field days in Kuje and Shendam. We wish other seed companies will emulate him in this regard.”
He said farmers ought to know that there are different types of seeds, depending on the ecology, prevailing diseases in the area and rainfall regime, adding: “On the basis of the above, we have the following types of Crops Varieties that are (1) Disease Resistant or Tolerant (2) Early and Late maturing Varieties (3) Varieties that are High Yielding (4) Varieties that are Drought Tolerant and (5) Ecological suited Varieties.
“To know the variety that best suits your environment, farmers are advised to consult the agricultural extension officer/agent closet to them or come to the nearest regional office of national agricultural seeds council for advice. Just as there are fake and adulterated products in the market by unscrupulous dealer, so also there are fake and adulterated seeds in the seed market.
“Farmers are advised to go to a reputable SEEDS COmpany like Romarey Seeds or registered agro-dealer to buy their seeds for planting. When buying your seeds, watch out for the National Agricultural Seeds Council blue certification tag. This blue certification tag is an indication that the seed the farmer is about to buy has passed through the necessary certification process by the mandatory agency (NASC).
“One side of the tag contains all the information about the seed in the package like the germination percentage, the last date the seed was subjected to test and its physical purity and so on. On the reverse side is the stamp of the certification officer, his number and his signature. Any seed package offered for sale that does not contain this certification tag of National Agricultural Seeds Council should not be purchased.”
He noted that recently, some seed companies were found to have deployed poor quality seeds to some redemption centres under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), adding: “To forestall future occurrences, the council put a ‘stop sale’ order to these companies, delisted them from GESS and constituted a committee on seeds adulteration to handle seeds quality issues as they relate to seeds deployment under the GESS.”