The Kaduna State Government said it is validating a draft policy to improve seed quality and boost farmers’ productivity

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, disclosed this on Monday in Kaduna at a one-day seed strategy validation meeting in Kaduna.

Mr Dabo said the seed policy would drive farmers’ production efforts, expected to enhance food security in the state and the northern region.

He said the validation project was funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), with technical assistance from SYNERGOS.

The commissioner said the policy would institutionalise seed standards and enhance smallholder farmers’ production through higher yields.

According to him, Kaduna, being an agrarian state, has the potential to lead the country in a new seed adoption.

He said the state government was strengthening productivity through mechanisation, certified seeds and other quality farm inputs.

“Seed is a critical factor in productivity. Without improved seeds, farmers cannot get the required yields. Kaduna already has the highest seed uptake in the country, but we want to institutionalise this through a state seed policy,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the policy would discourage the practice of farmers planting grains instead of certified seeds.

Mr Dabo said the state government would embark on a sensitisation campaign once the policy was adopted.

On concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Mr Dabo said most fears were based on misinformation.

He assured that the government would step up awareness to educate farmers and the public on safety concerns being raised.

“There is no harm in GMOs. The propaganda against them is mainly from groups that see improved seeds as a threat. We must educate our people because improved seeds mean higher yields and more prosperity for farmers,” he added.


Also speaking, the Country Director of SYNERGOS and Technical Assistant to the ministry, Victor Adejoh, said Kaduna was currently hosting more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s seed companies.

He noted that this made it imperative for the state to lead in domesticating the National Seed Policy for the benefit of smallholder farmers.

Mr Adejoh stated that the draft strategy outlined the process through which farmers would access seeds, addressed awareness issues and clarified the roles of government, the private sector and farmers in promoting certified seeds.

According to him, Kaduna will be among the first states to domesticate the national framework to local realities with farmer-friendly strategies.

The draft policy when adopted would be rolled out to strengthen food security.

The process is expected to boost the income of not less than 550,000 smallholder farmers in the state.

(NAN)