FG Adopts ‘IMAGE’ Programme To Boost Farmers’ Output

The National Agricultural Seed Council has launched a new programme, IMAGE, to aid adoption of improved seed variety as well as promote agriculture yield across the country.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director-General, NASC, Philip Olusegun Ojo, noted that the introduction of the program signals the beginning of much-needed shift from the traditional and inaccurate method of measuring farmers output.

According to him, studies of improved seed adoption in Nigeria have been based on household surveys which are premised on the assumption that a farmer can accurately self-report their use of improved seed varieties.
The five-year monitoring of crop variety adoption using genotype (Image) covers crop such as Maize, Cassava, Rice and cowpea in Nigeria, and covers wheat, Teff, common beans in Tanzania and Ethiopia.

He said, “Many studies have shown that farmers’ reports of seed varieties planted, or whether the seed is improved or local are sometimes inconsistent with the DNA fingerprinting results of these varieties

“I am happy about this Image program which we have kicked off today. It is actually the right way to go, as it will help our farmers to know the variety of seeds they are planting, thereby leading to greater yield and productivity.”

Speaking Further, the DG explained that misidentification of seed varieties have several implications for both adoption of improved technology for planting, policy formulation, food security as well as for regulatory activities.

He added, “These, we believe will help in no small measure towards accurate and targeted policy formulation regarding the utilization of seeds in Nigeria.

“We expect that the Image project will provide insights and evidence for seed sector actors to enhance government agency capacity, improve stakeholders’ coordination, and lead to better investment and resource allocation decisions for varietal development and commercialization in Nigeria.

“As an organ of government charged with the responsibility of regulating the Nigerian Seed space, we pledge to support this process as much as possible.”