Director General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Dr Phillip Olusegun Ojo, has reiterated the commitment of the council of getting rid of unscrupulous seed merchants, whose only motive is to short-change farmers by supplying poor quality planting materials, saying that with the innovation of the national seed tracker, the app would provide real time information on seed variety, quantity, among other things.
The DG, who was represented by the council’s Director, Seed Certification and Quality Control, Dr Khalid Ishiak, made the remarks at the sensitization and training workshop on operations and uses of the national seed Tracker, held on Monday, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Ojo commended the seed certification inspectorate, saying that “the importance of seed in the agricultural revolution of a nation is not in doubt. The growth of this sector would be hampered without a properly structured seed system to support the industry. Over time, we have agreed that seed is the starting point of agricultural revolution and a panacea for food and nutritional security. I am happy every one of us recognizes this fact, hence the importance of this gathering to build our knowledge base of the National Seed Tracker.
“Once again, permit me to use this medium to congratulate the BASICs project and her team of dedicated drivers on the launch of the National Seed Tracker on the occasion of the 2019 edition of the Seed Connect Africa Conference and Expo. I am delighted that the once Cassava Seed Tracker program has been upgraded to a National Seed Tracker programme where all seeds, not only cassava, will be tracked real time. It is my hope and firm belief that the lessons learnt in the cassava pilot program would be used as a path to a successful national seed tracker programme.”
He added that the strength of the tracker would be achieved “in many ways as it would digitally connect seed producers, seed traders and seed quality control officers. The app will provide real time information on seed variety, quantity, availability and also facilitate trade decisions and timely access to seed markets. The seed tracker has been designed to fit the needs of our local farmers and has the potential to transform the national seed system, improve farmers’ revenue and uplift their socioeconomic status.
“As the seed industry regulator, the NASC will do all within its mandate and beyond to support the success of this programme. I call on our certification officers not to truncate this process, as so much depends on you. I employ all seed companies to see this as an opportunity to expand their frontiers in local and international seed trade.”
For Dr Ishiak, the importance of an enhanced seed programme had become necessary if the lofty aim of national seed tracker will be met. According to him, “We are delighted to announce that working with the national seed tracker for a larger base of seeds has come to stay. Now with the national seed tracker, all farmers in any part of the country with the instrument of the internet can track on real time basis the quality of seeds and how to get time. It is a welcome revolution in our industry and we are delighted to say this.
“The importance of seed cannot be overemphasized hence the attention that is given to it. If we must guarantee the revolution that we so desire in the agric sector, then we must continue to embrace the advantages that come with technology.”
One of the resource persons at the event, Dr Lava Kumar, praised the efforts of the council in the wake of the national seed tracker, saying that it was the right direction to go. He advised all stakeholders in the seed industry to embrace the innovation so as to improve the quality of food in the country.
Kumar noted that it has become imperative that technology be deployed in all ways to improve the safety and quality seeds in the seed market. He called on the council not to relent in its efforts pushing for better quality of seeds across the nation.
“This is the right way to go. The National Agricultural Seeds Council is obviously doing its best to add value to the Nigerian seeds market. Technology has become very important in our day-to-day activities. The national seed tracker has come to show that we can achieve a lot if we are ready to tap into the many possibilities that the present advancement in technology gives. Nigeria should be at the forefront in the deployment of the resources of technology. This is important. As we speak, the national seed tracker connects so many people on real time basis. This is good and the results will be commendable.”
The participants drawn from various regions of the country commended the efforts of the council.
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