Seeds Council, Others To Build Resilience In Nigeria Seed System

The National Agricultural Seeds Council has announced its plans to partner Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria and Contact Consulting in hosting a Seed Connect Digital Series 2020 with the aim of building resilience in Nigeria seed system.

The annual SeedConnect which is a forum for major stakeholders, creates an avenue to discuss ongoing innovations, identify critical gaps, develop strategic framework for scaling up delivery of high quality seeds to farmers, create network and business partnership platform between local, regional and international partners.

The Director General, NASC, Olusegun Ojo, said that the conference is a call for action to rethink and propose a sustainable pathway for the Seed Industry not only in Nigeria but Africa in general.

He said, “Seed Connect 2020 Digital Webinar Series would be the first virtual edition and it will feature dialogues with stakeholders, practical seminars and proffer solutions on challenging issues in the seed industry.

“It will create a platform for Seed Industry stakeholders around the globe to address issues impacting the industry.”

Ojo who noted that a viable seed system is the bedrock for agricultural productivity in any nation, said that the Covid-19 pandemic had negatively impacted food systems.

The two day webinar is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November, 2020 with the theme, “Building resilience in our seed system to achieve sustainable food systems”

He added, “The SeedConnect Africa Event cannot be overemphasized as it brings together Seed Industry Stakeholders from all parts of the world to discuss and deliberate on issues and topics of mutual benefit to the Seed System.

“Its impact has continued to shape the seed space towards a self-sustaining system capable of generating the best planting materials as we strive for a food secure nation.

“Despite the unprecedented timing of the event this year due to the pandemic and unfortunate cancellation of the annual Seed Connect Event in April 2020, its impact cannot be overemphasized in these times.”