Umudike Unveils Nigeria Seed Innovation Partners’ Forum For Vegetatively Propagated Crops

The Umudike Seeds Company, in collaboration with key players in the agricultural sector, has agreed to establish the Nigeria Seed Innovation Partners Forum for Vegetatively Propagated (VPG) crops.

Dr. Tony Bello, Chairman of Umudike Seeds Company, announced in a statement released Tuesday in Abuja that the forum is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of the year.

VPG crops are cultivated from non-sexual parts of a plant—such as stems, roots, or tubers—instead of seeds. Examples of these crops include cassava, yam, sweet potato, potatoes, bananas, ginger, and sugarcane. These crops produce offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.

Dr. Bello revealed that a Task Force has been formed to coordinate national stakeholder engagement and streamline policies to support a strong, market-oriented seed system for VPG crops in Nigeria. The Task Force will be jointly led by Ms. Mosunmola Umoru and Dr. Ruby Onwudiwe.

The decision was made during the first in-person board meeting of the organization, hosted by Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., which serves as a founding incubator and strategic implementation partner of Umudike Seeds.

Organizations that have pledged their support for the initiative include the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Sasakawa Africa Association, Industrial Cassava Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Experts highlight that while vegetative propagation enables quick multiplication and the retention of favorable traits, it also poses risks due to genetic uniformity, making crops more susceptible to diseases—one of the major vulnerabilities in the seed supply chain.

Dr. Tony Bello stated that both the creation of the task force and the decision to launch the forum represent a major step forward in advancing seed system innovation for vegetatively propagated crops (VPGs) in Nigeria.

“Over the course of three days, the Board of Directors reviewed the company’s strategic direction and gave the green light to form a dedicated task force,” Bello explained.

This task force will take the lead in driving stakeholder collaboration and aligning national policies to support a robust, market-driven seed system for VPG crops like cassava, yam, sweet potato, and ginger.

One of the key decisions from the meeting was the unanimous approval to create the Nigeria Seed Innovation Partners Forum for VPG Crops.

This new platform is expected to act as a catalyst for improving access to quality seeds, fostering stronger public-private collaborations, and positioning Nigeria at the forefront of innovation in root and tuber crop industrialization.

“This development marks a shared recognition among private companies, government bodies, and technical experts of the critical role VPG crops play in achieving national goals around food security, economic growth, and sustainable agriculture,” Bello added.

He also noted that the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has reaffirmed its support for the company’s seed expansion plans, aligning them with national development priorities aimed at addressing seed supply challenges, bridging financing gaps, and strengthening seed system capabilities.

Dr. Tony Bello stated that stakeholders have pledged to enhance operational capacity, attract investment, and respond to increasing market demand for certified seeds of newly developed cassava varieties, including TME419, Game Changer, and Obasanjo II.

He explained that Umudike Seeds Company operates as a licensed seed enterprise, specializing in the production and supply of high-quality breeder and foundation seeds for root and tuber crops.

Established in 2018, the company originated as a spin-off from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) under the BASICS I initiative.

Bello emphasized the company’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s seed value chain through innovation, strategic partnerships, and solutions that prioritize the needs of farmers.