Experts advise optimization of seed production to boost agribusiness

Experts in the agricultural sector have emphasized the need for optimization of local seed production to boost agricultural productivity in the country.

Speaking at a virtual pre-NES26 event themed ‘Optimal Productivity in Nigeria’s Agribusiness: Achieving the Goal of Seed Security’, Mustapha Shehuri, minister of state for Agriculture, said in line with the economic diversification agenda, agriculture has a significant impact on the local economy however growth in the sector is constrained by low productivity and poor value chain development owing to a number of challenges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic tested Nigeria’s food system and it shows that agriculture has the prospect to expand Nigeria’s economy. However, agricultural growth in recent times has been challenged on account of low productivity, poor value chain development, and ineffective linkages with industrial and service sectors,” he explained during the session recently hosted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

The minister revealed that the Nigerian seeds economy is worth over N4 billion annually if properly optimized as the country supplies over 40 percent of the seed requirement in West Africa, adding that on a global scale the demand for seed has the potential to generate foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria in the future.

Also, Wonu Adetayo board member, NESG in her remarks said in achieving food security, there is a need to position agriculture in an enabling position through the provision of policies and infrastructure.

“Nigeria is currently plagued with a myriad of input deficiencies which significantly hampers her food sustainability, import substitution and indeed export promotion agenda, to achieve Nigeria’s food security agenda, there must be access to right quality inputs,” she stated.

She stated that Nigeria has input deficiencies and that less than 15 percent of Nigerian farmers are using quality seeds in their farming processes, adding that it is necessary to provide short to medium plans which will direct how to address current and future seeds problems in Nigeria.

Olusegun Ojo, director-general, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), in his remarks, said that in optimizing seed farming, there is a need for the seeds to be available in sufficient quantity, readily available and suitable to the local environment.

He added that the NASC is working on introducing measures to help improve farmer’s access to quality seeds, curb challenges encountered in accessing good seeds, and in general improve the agricultural industry going forward.

Similarly, Nkiru Okpareke, chairman, Business Integration Platform of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), said Nigeria can produce seeds and that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the insecurities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and also brought up new opportunities for growth and self-sufficiency.