FG delists three companies for supplying adulterated seeds to farmers - DG

The National Agricultural Seed Council said on Friday that three seed companies had been de-listed for supplying adulterated seeds to farmers across the country.
The Director General of the council, Dr. Olusegun Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Ojo said there were some seed companies that did not comply with the standards of the council and the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of quality seeds supplied to farmers.

He added that the three affected companies were caught supplying adulterated seeds to unsuspecting farmers.

He said: "They were investigated and found guilty and de-listed according to their role, a situation that has led to decrease in crop production.

"The affected companies stand de-listed until they meet all the requirements and ensure that only quality seeds of proven standards get to the Nigerian farmers."

Ojo, who was silent on the names of the affected companies, added that farmers were educated on the criteria to consider before buying improved seeds from seed companies.

The director general explained that farmers were also taken through awareness creation on how to differentiate quality seeds from adulterated and fake seeds.

He urged them to always buy seeds from registered seed companies to boost the nation`s agricultural production.

Ojo said: "If you want to go into Nigeria seed market, you need to register and your seeds must meet all the requirements.

"Seed production is a serious business, which needs proper planning to ensure that only quality seeds are available to farmers at affordable prices.

"The council must ensure that seeds meet all the set quality and purity standards based on filed inspections carried out before planting, at flowering and at harvest.

"This is followed by physical quality tests and a purity test that are conducted after seeds have been processed.

"This include laboratory test for moisture content, seed purity, germination percentage, and absence of pests and diseases.

"If any seed company goes out of the standard by putting their seeds in the market without proper scrutiny, such product would be confiscated and destroyed."

NAN.