Kaduna moves to validate seed policy to boost food security

The Kaduna State Government has commenced the validation of a draft seed policy aimed at improving seed quality, raising farm productivity, and enhancing food security across the state and northern Nigeria.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Murtala Dabo, disclosed this on Monday during a one-day Seed Strategy Validation Meeting in Kaduna.

According to Dabo, the policy, supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) with technical assistance from SYNERGOS, will institutionalise seed standards and ensure farmers have access to certified, high-yielding varieties.

“Seed is a critical factor in productivity. Without improved seeds, farmers cannot get the required yields. Kaduna already has the highest seed uptake in the country, but we want to institutionalise this through a state seed policy,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the policy would discourage the practice of planting grains as seeds, while also introducing sensitisation campaigns to promote adoption once it is approved.

On concerns over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Dabo stressed that most fears were driven by misinformation.
“There is no harm in GMOs. The propaganda against them is mainly from groups that see improved seeds as a threat. Improved seeds mean higher yields and more prosperity for farmers,” he assured.

Also speaking, Mr. Victor Adejoh, Country Director of SYNERGOS and Technical Assistant to the ministry, noted that Kaduna currently hosts over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s seed companies, making it strategically positioned to lead in domesticating the National Seed Policy.

He said the draft policy clearly outlines how farmers will access seeds, addresses awareness gaps, and defines the roles of government, the private sector, and farmers in advancing certified seed adoption.

When fully adopted, the framework is expected to improve the incomes of at least 550,000 smallholder farmers, strengthen food security, and position Kaduna as a model for other states.