Nigerian Stakeholders Urge Local Seed Production for Food Security

During a media engagement at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to mark World Food Day, stakeholders in Nigeria's agricultural sector voiced their concerns regarding the nation's increasing dependence on foreign seeds. They warned that this reliance could jeopardize the country's food sovereignty and called for enhanced investment in local seed production, organic farming, and household food cultivation.

Segun Adebayo, the executive director of CAfPRA and deputy director of CEFSAR, emphasized that while food may be available, true food sovereignty is compromised when a country depends on external seed suppliers. He highlighted the risks associated with imported seeds, particularly those that cannot be replanted, and advocated for investment in regenerative seeds.

Adebayo urged Nigerians to engage in household food production through the “Let’s Go Planting” initiative. Tom Obiazi, director of the Department of Agriculture at the Loveworld Ministry of Food Technology and Sovereignty, raised concerns about pesticide use and advocated for sustainable farming practices that prioritize soil health and food safety.