The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has begun onboarding prospective Certified Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) to strengthen quality seed yam production, certification, and marketing in Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day mandatory training and onboarding programme for CSEs organised by the Council in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the PROSSIVA Project, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NASC, Hon. Fatuhu Muhammed, said access to quality planting materials remained fundamental to improving agricultural productivity, farmers’ resilience, and food security.
Muhammed, represented by the Director of the DG’s office, Mal. Dahiru Rabiu, noted that strengthening Nigeria’s yam seed system was essential given the crop’s importance to the country’s food and agricultural economy.
He said the training was designed to equip prospective CSEs with the technical, regulatory, and business knowledge required to establish and operate credible seed yam enterprises.
Muhammed urged participants to see themselves not merely as trainees but as future partners in building a sustainable and commercially viable seed yam industry.
He stressed that seed yam production and marketing remained regulated activities, noting that commercial seed production without registration contravened the National Agricultural Seeds Council Act, 2019.
“Under Section 20(1) of the National Agricultural Seeds Council Act, 2019, a person shall not produce seed in commercial quantities unless registered as a seed producer by the Council,” he said.
He added that the sale or supply of seeds was also subject to certification requirements, describing the regulations as safeguards for farmers and the integrity of Nigeria’s seed system.
He said the success of seed entrepreneurs would be measured not only by the volume of seed yam produced but also by the quality, integrity, and the confidence farmers could place in their products.
The NASC, he said, would continue to provide an enabling regulatory and technical environment for developing a sustainable seed yam system.
He said the Council would strengthen quality assurance, certification, monitoring, enforcement, and digital traceability while collaborating with research institutions, development partners, and private-sector actors to improve farmers’ access to quality planting materials, particularly at the last mile.