…says quality seeds can increase productivity by 15 to 40%

By Bashir Bello

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, CIMMYT through Africa Dryland Crop Initiative, ADCIN and Syngenta Foundation have moved to improve quality seeds access for farmers in Nigeria.

The CIMMYT Seed Systems Specialist, West and Central Africa (WCA) Dryland Crops Program (DCP), Dr. Doris Kanvenaa Puozaa made this known during a two day capacity building workshop organized for seed companies and Community Based Organizations, CBOs by Syngenta Foundation Nigeria supported by CIMMYT and funding from Bills and Melinda Gates.

Puozaa who described the seed system in Africa especially West and Central Africa as weak, said they released over 145 varieties out of which only 50% were with farmers.

She however stressed the need for the training of the targeted CBOs to produce the quality seeds and give to the farmers where they need it, noting that a quality seeds can increase farmers productivity by 15 to 40 per cent.

According to her, “A data just collected from six countries in West and Central Africa, and within the last 10 years for the three crops, that is sorghum, millet and groundnuts, we have released over 145 varieties. Now less than 50 per cent of those varieties are with the farmers. It means there is something wrong, it means either the varieties are not that superior or are just failing to reach the farmers who is the main target for the development of those varieties.

“So we have been working with Syngenta Foundation Nigeria for a while now for sustainable agriculture. And the whole idea and objective of seed systems is to make sure that we have quality seeds at where the farmers needs it. So why we focus on the community based seed organization is that the crops (Cowpea, millet, groundnut and sorghum) we are dealing with, the seed systems for the crops are not very strong in maybe the whole of Africa, especially West Africa.

“So we have seen that most of the seeds of these crops circulate within the informal sector hence the need to ensure the sector benefit from having good variety and good seeds. So we came up with the idea which was championed by Syngenta Foundation to train the seed companies especially the community based seed companies to produce seeds and give to the community to make sure seeds they give at that level is of the right quality and variety.

“The most important input of any cropping enterprise is the seed. If you start with the right seed, right quality, right quantity and right variety, you will end well. That is why we are focusing on seeds. It has been proven by sciences, that seed alone, if it is of a good quality could contribute between 15 to 40% of increased productivity.

“That is why we believe concentrating on making sure we have seeds of the right quality, variety and should be accessible. Sometimes, people don’t use seed because they can’t afford it but can’t access it because it is at the wrong place.

“So these community based seed producers are within the communities, they have colleague farmers who they can sell the seeds to. So we believe that targeting these group will go a long way in improving the small holder farmer productivity and enhance income, food and nutritional security. Because we are also focusing on not just variety but nutrient dense crops,” Puozaa said.

Earlier, the Country Director, Syngenta Foundation Nigeria, Isaiah Gabriel called on the seed companies and CBOs to promote good quality seeds which will increase productivity.

Gabriel highlighted the importance of adopting new farming technologies and best practices.

He encouraged participants to unlearn old practices, such as recycling seeds, and instead focus on certified seeds.

He said the project aims to develop a go-to-market strategy for commercial varieties, increasing seed availability and food security.