New project targets location-specific data on rice, cowpea

The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) has launched the ‘ProSev’ project to promote location-specific better seed varieties information for farmers across the country. The project is a nationwide initiative that generates, analyses and distributes reliable post-release performance data on enhanced crop varieties with the goal of strengthening Nigeria’s seed system. It focuses on assisting […]

The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) has launched the ‘ProSev’ project to promote location-specific better seed varieties information for farmers across the country.

The project is a nationwide initiative that generates, analyses and distributes reliable post-release performance data on enhanced crop varieties with the goal of strengthening Nigeria’s seed system.

It focuses on assisting farmers and other seed system actors in making better decisions based on evidence from actual farm conditions rather than assumptions or marketing hype.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Thursday, the executive director of the FSSS, Dr Isaiah Gabriel, argued that farmers did not fail because they lacked effort, they struggle because they lack the right information. 

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“Across Nigeria, farmers plant seeds every season based on the year’s seed habit or availability, not because those seeds are the right performing options for their soil climate or market. When farmers are unsure, adoption is slow.

“When adoption is slow, productivity suffers, and when productivity suffers, the entire value chain feels the impact. This project, using performance data to promote better seed variety in Nigeria, is our collective attempt to change that story.

“Our goal is about replacing guesswork with evidence, replacing assumptions with data, and ensuring that when a farmer asks which variety is best, there is a clear and trustworthy answer. A farmer once said, ‘I don’t need the best seed in the world, I need the best seed for my land.’ This farmer’s perspective forms the heart of this ground-breaking initiative,” he said.

According to him, the project requires seed companies confident enough to let performance speak, researchers who value learning across environments, extension systems that translate data into action, off-takers who reward quality and consistency, and farmers whose voices are not just heard but respected.

Professor Olusoji Olufaju of the Varietal Release Committee said that since the inception of the committee, it had released many varieties.

“If you put all the crops together, there are over 500 varieties. But we realised that in terms of adoption, farmers do not adopt most of the varieties that have been released. Some have been adopted and we are worried about adoption. We are not just concerned about releasing varieties, we are concerned about adopting varieties; and this is where this project is important. It is also complementing the activity of the Variety Release Committee. The feedback from this project will determine how we move in the future,” he said.

The representative of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Muhammad Ali Baba, said farmers faced different challenges dealing with seed.

“As a farmer, part of the challenges we have identified is the fact that there is inadequate efforts in terms of collaboration between the seed developers, seed companies and the extension that would enable farmers embrace and adopt varieties or go off what they use. 

“My point is the collaboration between these critical stakeholders and extension service providers. These are committed professionals for that matter, who are like tube and tyre between them and the farmers. But because of this neglect, they can hardly impact much on these farmers because of the tools, particularly logistics; then all the required support are not available,” he also said.

Other stakeholders from the seed companies, research institutes and seed council highlighted the need to create a better seed system for the country.