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Okwe Obi, Abuja
National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has disclosed that over 14.5 million farmers have, so far, benefited from quality seeds from 2012 till date, to boost agriculture.
Director General of NASC, Dr Phillips Ojo, said the Federal Government will employ, at least, three persons from each local government area to supervise and checkmate quality control of seeds.
Ojo, who made the disclosure at a summit organised by NASC, yesterday, in Abuja, said the council will not tolerate dealers of fake seeds, while hoping for the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to punish offenders selling low quality seeds.
He, however, used the occasion to highlight some of the challenges confronting the sector such as “ under investment by key stakeholders, poor planning and low awareness of seeds usage.”
He also said “there is need for developed and sustainable framework to accelerate the growth of the seeds industries.”
In his goodwill message, National Vice President, All farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) advised farmers to be vigilant against buying low quality seeds which yield poorly.
“It is very unfortunate that some of the so called ‘seed dealers’ go to farmers, buy grains from them, package it and in turn supply it to them as good seeds.
