Stakeholders have called for the adoption of advanced technologies to revolutionize Africa’s seed systems and enhance food production across the continent.
This call was made at the 7th Seedconnect Africa conference, organized by the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), held in Abuja.
The theme of the conference, “Leveraging Seed Technology to Scale Up Africa’s Agricultural Productivity,” underscored the urgent need to address the continent’s persistent low agricultural yields.
In his address, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, highlighted the disparity between Africa’s agricultural output and global standards. Citing the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), he noted that staple crops like maize, rice, and sorghum in sub-Saharan Africa yield less than half the global average.
“This disparity underscores the critical role seed technology must play in bridging the productivity gap,” the Minister emphasized. He stressed the need for high-quality seeds tailored to specific agro-ecological conditions to achieve higher yields, ensure food security, and build resilience to climate change.
Abdullahi acknowledged the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa in accessing these advanced technologies. In Nigeria, despite agriculture contributing 25% to GDP and employing over 70% of the rural population, productivity remains low due to poor infrastructure and systemic inefficiencies, particularly in the seed value chain.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these barriers by improving the distribution and affordability of high-quality seeds.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, emphasized the role of seeds in agricultural development.
“The health and purity of seeds directly impact agricultural productivity. Without quality seeds, even the most advanced farming techniques yield suboptimal results,” he stated.
The Speaker advocated for modern seed technology to breed crop varieties that are resilient to pests and diseases, adapt to local climates, and respond optimally to inputs, yielding higher outputs.
He also called for robust educational campaigns to ensure farmers understand the benefits of using high-yielding, drought-resistant seeds tailored to Africa’s climatic challenges.
Dr. Khalid Ishiak, Director-General of NASC, stressed the importance of leveraging technology to build a resilient seed system in Africa. He noted that Seedconnect Africa has significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s seed industry through stakeholder collaboration over the years.
The annual event brought together experts and stakeholders in the seed sector to discuss innovative solutions for improving agricultural productivity in Africa, paving the way for a greener and more prosperous future.