The Federal Government, yesterday, launched the revised National Agricultural Seed Policy 2022 to liberalise the seed sub-sector and enhance private sector participation in its development.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, during the launch of the policy in Abuja, said the 2022 revised policy was developed following a critical review of the 2015 National Seed Policy.
He stated that the review became necessary due to the positive changes in the operations of the seed industry, especially after the enactment of the National Agricultural Seed Act of 2019 and the Plant Variety Protection Act of 2021 that confine new responsibilities and widened the scope of operations of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC).
The minister revealed that the current seed policy was developed by NASC and stakeholders, who have made valuable inputs and contributions towards ensuring that farmers have unrestricted access to the best genetics to enhance productivity.
“Let me reiterate that this revised policy has removed the ambiguous areas in the erstwhile 2015 National Seed Policy, strengthened the identified weaknesses and introduced innovations that optimise the regulatory, promotional and protection roles of NASC in ensuring that farmers have access to improved quality seeds,” he said.
The minister highlighted some of the new introductions in the policy document including SEEDCODEX which involves a quality authentication tool and traceability aimed at curbing adulteration and the participation of third-party seed inspectors in the quality assurance process.
Others include the establishment of satellite and private seed testing laboratories and strategic seed banks to act as reserve and buffer stocks in case of food emergencies and encourage the active participation of women and youths in the seed business.
The Director General National Agriculture Seed Council (NASC), Dr. Philip Ojo, said the new National Agricultural Seed Policy would invigorate the National Seed System as well as trigger growth and development to consolidate on the gains and reforms made in the industry in recent times.
