Seed Inspectors from the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) yesterday raided major markets selling fake and adulterated seeds in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The raids were done in collaboration with agro-rangers who are officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
During the raids, several fake and adulterated seeds were seized and taken away for destruction at the forthcoming Farmers’ Field Day in Abuja.
Addressing the team before the search at the markets, the Director-General, NASC, Dr Philip Ojo emphasised that the recent signing of the Seed Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, has strengthened the council in its bit to sanitise the country’s seed system.
The DG who said the country was now the leading hub of seed trade in the West Africa sub-region charged the seed inspectors to work hard in order to make Nigeria a centre of excellence in the seed business.
Dr Ojo said “Those defrauding farmers by false labeling, selling seeds in an open market, using unbranded packaging should be made to face the wrath of the law.”
The director, Seed Inspectorate of the council, Mr Agboola Adebayo said these activities were regularly carried out in major seed markets across the country, so that adulterated, poor quality and fake seeds should not be sold to the farmers.
