NASC delist 3 seed companies for supplying adulterated seeds

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Director General, Dr Olusegun Ojo has disclosed  in Abuja over the weekend ,that three seed companies had been de-listed for supplying adulterated seeds to farmers across the country, thus did not comply with the standards of the council and the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of quality seeds supplied to farmers.

Ojo reiterated that the three affected companies were caught doing some unwholesome things; they were supplied adulterated seeds to unsuspecting farmers and they were investigated and found guilty and de-listed according to their role.

The DG complained that such situation has led to decrease in crop production, adding that 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.

However, the NASC DG was silent on the names of the affected companies but noted that farmers were educated on the criteria to consider before buying improved seeds from seed companies. He further explained that farmers were also taken through awareness creation on how to differentiate quality seeds from adulterated and fake seeds.

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Ojo urged the farmers to always buy seeds from registered seed companies to boost the nation`s agricultural production and call on new entrant into Nigeria seed market to register and that their seeds must meet all the NASC given requirements.

The DG noted that seed production is a serious business which needs proper planning to ensure that only quality seeds are available to farmers at affordable prices, as the council is ensuring that seeds meet all the set quality and purity standards based on filed inspections carried out before planting, at flowering and at harvest.

He added that this is followed by physical quality tests and a purity test that are conducted after seeds have been processed and includes laboratory test for moisture content, seed purity, germination percentage, and absence of pests and diseases.

Ojo warned that 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.