From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Seed Entrepreneurs an Development of Nigeria (SEEDAN), has linked poor quality control of seeds to low crop production.
It also blamed part of the problems plaguing the agricultural sector to inconsistent government policies, dormant research facilities and lack of proper storage facilities and poor storage reduce crops quality.
SEEDAN President, Yusuf Ado Kabiyi, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, noted that government should educate and train extension officers.
He said government must be deliberate in its mission in the agricultural sector, adding that quality investment and proper training would enable Nigeria to commence exportation of globally acceptable corps.
Kabiyi said it was unfortunate that Nigeria’s agricultural produce rejected abroad was hurting the economy of the country.
He said: “The production of EGS for public varieties in most cases not a money making endeavor. The harvest quantity is low while production cost is extremely high.
“Research institutes are daily confronted with this problem hence their inability to perform effectively.
“Infrastructural, and human cost to achieve effective result has not been met regularly. The seed companies, because of the above factors often shy away from engaging on EGS production.
“In real sense, this sector is supposed to be the champion of producing the EGS along with the research Institute. There must be a symbolic relationship.”
He said under his stewarship, he would bring duly registered members who are farmers together to sanitize the sector.