Food security: NASC unveils new policy for early generation seeds

The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has announced a new policy direction for Early Generation Seeds (EGS) production in Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the seed system and ensuring farmers have access to high-quality seeds.

The announcement was made by the NASC Director General, Dr Ishiak Othman Khalid, during a press briefing in Abuja to kick off the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Nigeria’s Seed System. The event marks 50 years since the country formally began organised seed production in 1975.

EGS, which includes breeder and foundation seeds, is crucial in maintaining seed genetic integrity and improving agricultural productivity.

However, systemic inefficiencies, including inadequate private sector involvement, weak regulation, and gaps in coordination, have hindered progress.

Dr Khalid noted that after 14 years of liberalising foundation seed production in 2011, temporary measures such as allowing certified seed companies to produce their own EGS and accrediting select firms have failed to fully address the challenges.

To tackle these issues, NASC is introducing a series of major reforms, which include:

• Accreditation of Producers: Only accredited public and private entities will be allowed to produce and commercialise EGS.

• Mandatory Reporting of EGS Transactions: All certified seed-producing entities must procure EGS from accredited producers and report transactions to NASC.

• Re-accreditation of NARIs and Private Sector Spin-offs: The role of National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) will be formalised through stronger licensing agreements with private firms.

• Technology-Driven Seed Tracking: NASC is making the use of digital platforms (National Seed Tracker, NASC SeedCodex, and Naija SeedConnect) compulsory for all EGS producers. These systems will improve traceability, transparency, and real-time seed demand forecasting.

• Implementation of the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) System: As a member of the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV), Nigeria will incentivise plant breeding innovations, ensuring farmers have access to high-yielding, drought-resistant, and disease-tolerant seed varieties.

Dr Khalid emphasised the importance of partnerships between government institutions, private seed companies, development organisations, and international partners like AGRA and the Gates Foundation, whose support has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s seed industry.

He also announced the institutionalisation of the EGS Annual Data Collection Survey, which will track progress, evaluate policy effectiveness, and ensure data-driven decision-making.

Dr Khalid urged all stakeholders—including government agencies, research institutes, seed producers, and the media—to support these reforms. He quoted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “Plant good seeds and feed the entire nation.”

“These new policies will foster transparency, competitiveness, and accountability among seed producers. By leveraging technology and collaboration, we will ensure Nigerian farmers have access to only the best seeds, supporting food security and agricultural transformation,” he added.

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