From John Adams, Minna
The National Agriculture Seed Council of Nigeria (NASC) has carried out a major raid on dealers of Agricultural seeds in Minna, the Niger State capital, and seized no fewer than 15 bags of grain seeds and other rebagged seeds suspected to be counterfeit.
The officials of the NSAC and Civil Defense Corp carried out the raid on Wednesday on some outlets following a pit off that some dealers have stocked pile some quantities of fake seeds to be sold to unsuspecting farmers in the state.
Leading the operation, the Deputy Director, Seeds Inspectorate Department of the council, Mr Adenira Adedeji Bobey, said the seized bags of grain seeds do not have seed certification tags and codex.
Speaking to journalists after the raids, Bobby said the raid was carried out at the farm centre area of Minna, the state capital following a tip-off on the illegal activities of the dealer.
“We are in Minna Niger state for on routine check of the seed dealers. Based on a tip-off we are here to see if they operate in accordance with the 2019 seed Act which regulates seed production in the country,” he said.
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According to him, the confiscated items included bags of cowpea, maize and others.
He stated further that the council has been sensitizing seed dealers on the implications of engaging in sharp practices that could adversely affect agricultural yield in the country, adding that, “however we do not have any other options than to confiscate the fake seeds and bring the offenders to the wrath of the law.”
Bobey advised farmers in the state to avoid patronising quack dealers for seeds in other to have a high-yield harvest.
Also speaking with journalists, the store officer of Duza Enterprise, Tanimu Duza, said he is ready to clear his firm of the infractions, adding ” I admit my mistakes and will follow due process for clearance. I will also inform those that supplied the seeds and hand them over to the council.”