Audu Ogbeh Assures Farmers Of Quality Seed Supply

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, FCT, at the Seed Fair and Farmers’ Field Day, organised by the National Agricultural Seed council (NASC), assured farmers that the ministry  is working with the Nigeria Security and Defense Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that quality seeds are supplied to them by authorised seed dealers.

According to him, quality seed is paramount to enhancing agricultural productivity as it contributes more than 50 per cent of increased crop productivity in the country.

He said seed was very important to the sub-sector, and that any group or individuals engaged in selling adulterated seeds to farmers must face the fuĺ wrath of the law.

“I am a victim of fake seeds. I am a farmer you all know. I sent my manager to a shop to buy seeds. He got a very nice packaged envelops and when we opened them, they were broken seeds from the market.

“Over 70 per cent of people who have no business with seeds jump into the business and selling junk to farmers without getting certified by the seed council.”

“We are going to open extension offices in every local government to monitor the quality of seeds being supplied to farmers.

“We will compel agro companies to sell their seeds to authorised dealers. Farmers will be told if you buy seed from anybody else aside the authorised dealers, don’t blame us if you buy fake seeds from them.

“And if they buy from authorized dealers and it turns out to be fake, report them to us. We will get police to arrest them, ” he said.

According to him, the Federal Government through NASC has over the year engaged in regulating the activities of seed producing entities.

He added that this was aimed at ensuring that enough quantities of improved quality seeds are available for farmers use across the country in any given time.

He expressed regret for still owing seed companies that participated ai the 2014/2015 Growth Enhancement Support, GES, assuring part payment of the debts owed soon.

“We will try our best to pay seed companies we are owing. Without good seed, agriculture is impossible. So we want them to keep supplying that is why we will try and pay the debts.”