NASC to Launch DNA-Based Crop Monitoring Initiative

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) is set to institutionalize DNA-based crop variety monitoring to strengthen Nigeria's seed system and improve food security. Dr. Fatuhu Moham, the director general of NASC, announced this initiative during a final meeting of the national executive steering committee in Abuja.

The project aims to enhance the monitoring of crop varieties by adopting a combination of DNA fingerprinting and household surveys to generate reliable agricultural data. This data will support evidence-based policymaking for seed system development and variety improvement, ultimately increasing agricultural productivity.

Additionally, NASC plans to establish a variety monitoring unit and a data governance framework to sustain the project's gains. Nigeria will also initiate a variety intelligence seed system as part of the Vista project, which aims to strengthen variety intelligence systems across Africa.

NASC will play a key role in implementing a regional rice genetic reference library to support seed quality assurance and control in West Africa.