Council sensitizes FCT farmers on improved seeds production

By Usman Shuaibu

To boost agricultural productivity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the leadership of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) based in Sheda, in Kwali Area Council of the Territory has organized enlightenment campaign on improved seeds production by farmers.

Speaking at the occasion, the acting director in charge of the NASC, Dr Philip Ojo, said that the enlightenment programme would go a long way to boost the morale of the farmers involved in various forms of agricultural production in the FCT.

He added that the programme was aimed at demonstrating the superiority of high quality improved crops variety over local ones, which will enable the farmers to choose the best varieties that suit their socio-economic needs.

He noted that improved seeds were one of the most significant inputs need for enhancing agricultural productivity not only in the FCT and the country at large.

According to him, “Making high quality seeds available to farmers is fundamental to the transformation of the predominantly subsistence agricultural production system to achieve meaning increase in agricultural productivity in the country.

“In the past, the problem was low adoption of improved crop varieties which resulted to low productivity, attributed to lack of awareness among the farmers”, he said.

The Director explained that the Council yearly carried out awareness to promote the use of high quality improved seeds by farmers in rural areas to encourage growth and development of community seed producers.

He advised farmers to buy their seeds for planting from reputable seed companies or registered agro dealers as fake and adulterated seeds are also in the market.