Nigeria on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping package of agricultural reforms, including a N50 billion Presidential Catalytic Seed Fund, the launch of the Seeds for Renewed Hope Programme (S-RHP), and the rollout of a new national seed system strategy, marked as a turning point for the country’s food security and agribusiness landscape.

The announcements were made at the 8th Edition of the SeedConnect Africa Conference & Exhibition in Abuja, an event that also marked the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s organised seed industry.

Presenting his address, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Kingsley Uzoma, the VPs senior special adviser on Food Security, declared the conference open and described the seed sector as the “first technology” required to drive agricultural transformation.

He said the new S-RHP initiative would strengthen the seed value chain end-to-end, expand access to climate-resilient varieties, support seed companies with financing, and reform last-mile delivery to farmers.

Shettima said the programme aims to boost Nigeria’s annual seed requirement for major staple crops by 10% between 2025 and 2027, cutting import dependence and improving food sovereignty.

A highlight of the event was the official operationalization of Section 45 of the NASC Act, which introduces the N50bn catalytic fund domiciled at the Bank of Industry.

The fund, offering a concessional 6% repayment rate, is expected to strengthen crop breeding, early-generation seed production, and commercial seed expansion while empowering farmers with quality seeds.

In his remarks, Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said the seed sector reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing initiatives to stabilise food prices.

He cited recent progress in wheat expansion—including the breakthrough in rainfed wheat cultivation in Plateau State—and the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion, alongside a N250 billion financing window for smallholder farmers.

Austin Agada, chairman of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) Governing Board, described the event as “a turning point” for the Nigerian seed industry.

He noted that the new Seed System Strategy Document and S-RHP would provide a long-term framework for investments, innovation, and regulatory strengthening.

Fatuhu Muhammed, NASC Director-General, highlighted the Council’s progress, including membership in major global seed bodies, the rollout of digital certification systems, and seed exports worth over $8 million in 2023.

He unveiled new regulatory instruments to improve variety registration, liberalise early-generation seed production, and enhance third-party certification.

During the ceremony, NASC also launched Nigeria’s Seed Book, the NASC 50th Anniversary Logo, and the Nigeria Seed System Strategy Document supported by AGRA.

Representatives from the World Bank, AGRA, IITA, JICA, ECOWAS, and private seed companies attended the conference, which continues with exhibitions, technical sessions, and high-level stakeholder meetings aimed at creating a more resilient and competitive seed industry for Africa. (BusinessDay)