By Time Nigeria
The Federal Government has started releasing a sledge hammer on all fake and adulterated seeds markets throughout the country.
This is in an attempt to rid of fake produce and protecting farmers whose produce had been negatively impacted by fake and adulterated seeds.
Director General of National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Philip Olusegun Ojo, said that the government’s efforts to diversify economy to agricultural sector would not be realised should the farmers’ produce are not protected, adding that farmers need to be encouraged to make profit.
In a chat with journalists, Mr. Ojo who spoke through the Director, Seeds Inspectorate, Adebayo Agboola, during a raid of some markets in Ibadan, yesterday, said Nigerian farmers are losing billions of naira every year due to planting of fake and adulterated seeds.
According to him, “The NASC began the operation from the northwest and now in the southwest to ensure that farmers get quality seeds for planting, the Council had confiscated fake seeds injurious to the farmers and their workers worth N1.5million in the last two months.
“The Federal Government is determined to make agriculture attractive to all Nigerians, but this will not be possible if their yields are not encouraging.
“It was obvious that most marketers contravene Section 17 (3) of Seeds Act prohibited display of seeds meant for planting in open container, while many producers failed to put label on the seed container for description and identification. “The chemicals they are using to preserve the seeds are injurious to farmers and their labourers, who are working in the farm. It affects total annual production of our farm produce.
“That is the reason the federal government is always frowning at fake seeds in circulation,” he explained.
NASC visited by the team were Iyana Church, Monatan, Mokola, Ogunpa, Iwo Road and Moniya, all in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The team is expected to tour Oyo and other southwest states until those behind the illegal business realise its implications.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) continues to play a key role in addressing the security situation in the nation – NAF deployed 150 personnel of its special forces to its newly established 23 Quick Response Wing – The QRW is located in Nguroje, Sarduana local government council in Taraba state The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday, May 13 deployed 150 personnel of its special forces to its newly established 23 Quick Response Wing (QRW) in Nguroje, Sarduana local government council in Taraba state. Other Quick Response Wings established by NAF in the north-central region are located in Doma, Nasarawa and Agatu in Benue states. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who addressed the troops in Jalingo before their departure, urged the personnel to be professional in the discharge of their duties