The National Agricultural Seed Council, (NASC) has revealed that it confiscated seeds from the agricultural development program, ADP -FADAMA , and other local seed dealers during a routine seed inspection in Abuja.
While conducting journalists around to see the impounded seeds , NASC Director-General Philip Ojo disclosed that FCT ADP-FADAMA did not conform to the government’s Seed Act, noting thatwhile those confiscated from other local dealers were either expired, fake, or lacking in certification.
The NASC is mandated to develop and regulate the activities of the seed industry to effect the transformation of Nigeria’s seed system and ensure the production and distribution of high- quality planting materials that are available, accessible and affordable to all farmers.
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The seed company registration and licensing process carried out by the NASC uses two broad categories for seed producers in Nigeria: companies focused mainly on the marketing and distribution of seeds and those additionally involved in seed production.
Ojo emphasized that the matter would be handled accordingly despite the fact that the organization involved is a federal agency and warned any unscrupulous Nigerians involved in the illicit business to desist from it before the long arm of the law catches up with them.
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“You have seen seeds confiscated and the sellers are not arrested, the law said there should be a first and second chance so the confiscation of the seeds is to remove it from the shelves so that the seeds will not get to the hands of poor and innocents farmers in Nigeria”.
“So it is hoped that after this exercise they would have put in a lot of measures to avert any reoccurrence. However, if such is not done then the arrest will now follow and they will proceed to court and fined appropriately.”
