Agriculture

NASC, IITA signs MOU on Community based Seed entrepreneurship

Published

3 years ago

May 27, 2023

National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train thousands of community based Seed entrepreneurs as part of efforts to improve seed production and marketing in four north east States of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe.

The project, funded by USAID, will involve training and supporting 2250 seed producers to become Community Based Seed Entrepreneurs (CBSE) in the four intervention states and facilitating the formation of these CBSE into 150 community based Seed enterprises cooperatives.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the NASC headquarters in Abuja which happened to be his last official duty before exiting the Council as the Director General, Dr. Olusegun Philip Ojo, said the Council is responsible for ensuring that farmers have good quality seeds and that the Council works with several partners.

“And most of the innovations and technology introduced in the seed industry were done in collaboration with organisations like yours. So when the idea of partnering with IITA came, we were happy to embrace it. We want to continue to expand our collaborators and partners because we are positioning the Council as centre of excellence for seed industry in West Africa.

“For your information, Nigeria produces over 50% of good quality seeds in West Africa and we have become force of a sort when it comes to seed production. So now we get several references from organisations to come to us for the seed they need.

“IITA has been a good partner as we have been able to partner on several projects such as seed codex, among other. The community seed project is very dear to our hearts because, the seed companies alone cannot take care of all the seed needs of farmers and the need to ensure that farmers at the downstream and local level have access to the best of genetics, that is what the programme is addressing, especially in the north,and seed is a game changer in agriculture, it would be good if the project can be replicated across the country to make seed available for the farmers at the grassroots,” he said.

Also speaking, before signing the MoU, IITA Chief of Party, Prakash Kant Silwal, said through its Northeast Regional Office, it has collaborated with the activity in training 1,937 Community Based Seed Producers on improved seed production and marketing techniques in Adamawa and Borno States between 2020 and 2022.

He said the organisation has also monitored the seed fields of these CBSPs and provided the needed support and guidance, tested the samples of the seeds produced by the CBSPs at its Seed laboratory in Gombe.

“Attended the annual Agricultural inputs Fair organized by the Activity to create necessary awareness for the smallholder farmers on the need to plant certified seeds instead of grains.

“All the above have significantly increased the use of certified seeds by smallholder farmers in intervention communities and resulted in an increase in yield and income.

“Scaling up of interventions in seed system development: Recently, our donor (USAID) expanded the scope of the Activity to scale-up interventions in seed system development in the existing states (Borno and Adamawa and expand into Gombe and Yobe states). This will involve supporting 2,250 seed producers to become Community Based Seed Entrepreneurs (CBSE) in the four intervention states and facilitating the formation of these CBSEs into 150 community-based seed enterprises cooperatives.

“In achieving this, the Activity still needs the continuous support of NASC as contained in the MOU that we are signing today.

“I am happy to announce that this is already happening as the activity and NASC Officials are currently organizing training for the selected 2,250 CBSP in improved seed production and marketing techniques across the four intervention states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe. Other activities will follow suit,” he explains.

Share on Facebook

Agriculture

House Moves to Overhaul Livestock Sector, Investigate ₦498.7m Unpaid Poultry Farmers’ Compensation — Wale Raji

Published

2 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

The Gleamer

By Cyril Ogar

The House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development has announced plans to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock sector and investigate the Federal Government’s failure to pay ₦498.7 million in compensation to 307 verified poultry farmers affected by bird flu outbreaks between 2021 and 2023..

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wale Raji, disclosed this on Thursday during a public hearing on six livestock-related bills held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. The proposed bills seek to establish livestock colleges and research institutes across the country to promote animal production, veterinary education, and professional training.

Raji explained that the public hearing was convened to enable stakeholders to contribute ideas aimed at strengthening livestock development and resolving the challenges faced by farmers, particularly those impacted by avian influenza.

“This engagement provides stakeholders a platform to make meaningful input that will enhance productivity, create jobs, and promote sustainable livestock growth,” Raji stated.“However, we are deeply concerned about the delay in compensating affected poultry farmers, and we are determined to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire process.”

₦498.7 Million Still Outstanding

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin, confirmed that ₦498.7 million remains unpaid to 307 poultry farmers whose flocks were destroyed during bird flu outbreaks between 2021 and 2023.

According to him, ₦3.16 billion had earlier been disbursed to 1,055 farmers affected by previous outbreaks, but the latest phase of payments was stalled due to funding shortfalls. He added that a recent outbreak in Wukari, Taraba State, led to the culling of over 2,000 birds, with compensation yet to be processed.

Adedoyin attributed the delay to inadequate budgetary provisions and the absence of an Animal Diseases Contingency or Emergency Fund (ADEF), explaining that no dedicated fund for animal disease response has existed since 2021.
“Most affected farmers also lack insurance coverage as required by law, further complicating the compensation process,” he said.

He noted that in 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a revised compensation formula—50% from the Federal Government, 25% from the state, and 25% from farmers—restricting eligibility to smallholders with flocks under 3,000 birds.

Lawmakers Push Livestock Reform Agenda
Hon. Raji emphasized that the committee’s probe and reform efforts are in line with the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which seeks to modernize animal husbandry, enhance veterinary services, and improve productivity across the value chain.

“Our goal is to build a vibrant and sustainable livestock sector that contributes meaningfully to food security, employment generation, and economic diversification,” he said.“We will also work to ensure that farmers receive their compensation and that government creates an emergency response fund to prevent future delays.”

He assured that the committee will pursue full implementation of the hearing’s recommendations to strengthen policy, research, and training in the livestock industry.

Push for New Livestock Institutions
Among the bills under consideration is one sponsored by Hon. Bello Ka’oje (Kebbi State) seeking to establish the Federal College of Animal Husbandry, Ka’oje. The proposed college will serve as a centre for research, training, and innovation in livestock production.

Ka’oje said the institution would improve animal breeding, promote best practices in livestock care, and drive productivity and employment.
“This initiative aims to advance livestock development through professional training and innovation,” he stated.“It will help strengthen food security, create jobs, and raise the standard of animal production in Nigeria.”

He noted that Nigeria continues to trail behind countries such as Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia, ranking 94th in global milk production and 33rd in meat production as of 2022, despite its vast agricultural resources.

Commitment to Accountability and Growth

Hon. Wale Raji reaffirmed the House’s commitment to transparency and effective oversight in livestock management.

“We will ensure that every stakeholder in the livestock value chain benefits from government policies and programmes,” he said.“Our ultimate goal is to reposition the livestock industry as a key driver of national growth, rural development, and economic stability.”

Share on Facebook