NASC DESTROYS FAKE AND ADULTERATED SEEDS

As part of efforts to rid the country of fake and adulterated seeds, the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) has destroyed fake and adulterated seeds confiscated from some seed dealers, nationwide
While performing the burning of the impounded seeds at this years farmers’ field day held at the NASC Technical Headquarters Sheda, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc Sonny T. Echono, said large quantity of seeds that were not properly packaged and with no seed label or certification tags attached or displayed in the open containers were confiscated, adding that the burning was to send warning signal to other fake seed dealers. He said fake and adulterated seed in the country could cost farmers billions of dollars in revenue if not checked.
The Director General, NASC, Dr Philip Olusegun Ojo, in his welcome address at the event said any seed package offered for sale without the blue certification tag of NASC is fake and should not be purchased. He said the Council embarked on enforcement and surveillance activities within the cropping season during which fake and adulterated seed were confiscated in various markets, He urged farmers to buy seed from reputable seed companies and seed dealers, only.