Scientists with Tropical Legumes III (TL III) and HOPE II projects and other agricultural scientists have held a three day in-country review and planning workshop at the secretariat of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station ahead of the forthcoming cropping season to address challenges, to increased production and productivity of legume crops and cereals in Nigeria.

The experts also discussed the ways to improve the seed and other technology delivery systems of both crops across the states of the federation.

In his address at the meeting IITA representative Kano station Dr Alpha Yaya Kamara alerted participants on the emerging pest problem of fall armyworm that is threatening the production and productivity of crops in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Dr. Kamara also urged participants to proffer solutions to emerging issues, which is of economic importance to not just maize, but to host of other important cereals.

Similarly, TL III Seed System Specialist Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui revealed that developing sustainable seed systems in West Africa, research to improving food production will ensure a tremendous reduction in hunger and poverty in the country.

NABG Demands Quick Passage Of Seed, Fertilizer Bills

Leading voice in the agriculture sector, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) has stressed the need for the urgent passage of the seed and fertilizer bills by the National Assembly. He said that if the seed bill passed into law it would be embedded with provisions to ensure an increase in private sector participation, protection of farmers and promotions of the seed industry.

Speaking with journalists at a press conference in Lagos, the President of NABG, Alhaji Sanni Dangote, said that the benefit of the bill would provide a more comprehensive law befitting the seed sector.

According to him, the essence of the bill is to establish a body for the regularisation and control of seed in Nigeria.

He said:

Dangote further said that alongside their partners, they have supported the design, validation and implementation of the Green Alternative Agriculture Promotion Policy of the current administration.

“We have created a fast-track action plan for the engagement and crowing in of private sector investments, driven by the quest for increased farm productivity to meet the demands of food processors in Nigeria. We have successfully facilitated the planning and co-ordination of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Micro reforms for Africa Agribusinesses in Nigeria”.

“Seeds are the most essential components of farming. Hence, the high demand for seeds which has exposed farmers to the danger of burgeoning cases of seed adulteration, poor seed quality and unauthorized dealers, other malpractices by unscrupulous individuals camouflaging themselves as agro dealers.

The increasing cases of malpractice demand a proactive response by stakeholders for the passage of the National Agricultural seeds council bill and its attendant regulations.”

On fertilizer bill passage, Dangote said the increment of supply into market without a functional regulatory framework has exposed the farmers to the danger of burgeoning cases of product adulteration.

Professor Mrs Alabi of HOPE II project pointed out that activities of HOPE II had placed Nigeria among the world leading producers of Sorghum and Millet adding that Nigeria has continued to play a dominant role in global cowpea production with over 3.02 million metric tons of grain produced in 2016 from an estimated land area of 3.5 million hectare.