AATF, IAR train Nigerian seed certification officers

About twenty (20) certification officers with 15 technical staff of private seeds companies have been subjected to training on production, sampling techniques and certification of seeds productivity in Nigeria. The training according to the press release made available was carried out by African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in partnership with the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and the National Agricultural Seeds Council of Nigeria (NASC). 

The statement said that the essence of the training is to bring the nation’s seed certification officers abreast of the latest technology in seeds testing in view of the new improved genetically modified varieties of cowpea and cotton that have just been commercially released to farmers for planting in Nigeria, adding that the training was the second to ensure latest technologies in seed testing are made available.

 Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku, Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria in his opening remark according to statement  said that the training is timely as it would prepare the national seed certification officers to effectively monitor and regulate the nation-wide deployment of genetically modified crop varieties in the country, stressed  the training offers the officers, and the seed companies the opportunity to interact with the Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea project scientists with a view to  chart a way forward for the nation’s seed sector.

Dr. Ishiak Khalid, Director of Seed Certification, NASC, said that the training facilitated by AATF would position the certification officers towards playing relevant roles as Nigeria begins the planting of genetically modified crops saying “For us at NASC, this is another opportunity for us to learn and interact with breeders on what to look out for, when and how to carry out the check when our officers go to the field.”