The Director General of National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Dr. Philip Ojo have revealed that about 70 per cent seeds used in West Africa is produced locally in Nigeria.
Dr Ojo who disclosed this during the Training and Launching of West Africa Electronic Seed Platform, noted that the registered seed companies in Nigeria have increased to over 157 companies.
According to him “I am glad to inform you today that the seed industry in Nigeria has witnessed a dramatic turnaround due to favorable policy environment provided.
“Nigeria is now the leading seed industry in West Africa, with over 157 registered private seed companies contributing 70 per cent of total seed requirement of West Africa.
He further said that the Electronic seed Platform will further open the seed trade barriers within the West Africa sub-region, and promote healthy competition among seed companies.
“The provision of this platform therefore will certainly open off the seed trade barriers within the subregion; promote healthy competition amongst the actors”, he added.
Dr. Ojo also said that the platform apart from providing healthy competition amongst investors, will also create jobs, foster food security and improve revenue earnings in Nigeria.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Shehu Ahmed regretted the poor information flow among actors in the seed sub-sector.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director of Agribusiness, Processing and Investment, Muyiwa Azeez, said that with this innovation from the West Africa and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), the information flow across the region will be strengthened.