By Fatima Saka
The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) has confiscated assorted vegetable seeds from agro seed dealer, Technisem Seed, at a seed inspection raid in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State.
The seeds, confiscated on Saturday, were: 19 pieces of 50 grams, 35 pieces of 100 grams, 20 grams of sachet okra, 10 grams of hot pepper and 10 grams of papaya.
While, others are five grams of hybrid hot pepper, 30 grams of cabbage, five grams of eggplant, 10 grams of betterave, five grams of broccoli, and five grams of watermelon.
According to the Director of the council’s Seed Inspectorate Department Agboola Adebayo, the seed dealer allegedly did not conform with the government’s Seed Act by selling uncertified seeds.
Adebayo said the ‘Sting Operation’ is usually conducted to check if seed dealers nationwide were operating in line with the system.
“We go out like that unnoticed so that we check on those that are doing it well, those that are performing below standard, we checkmate and sanction them,” he said.
He further added that the NASC, through the SeedCodex system, was committed to ensuring availability of good quality seed to farmers at an affordable price to improve agricultural productivity, increase household income, and contribute to food security.
Adebayo stated that it is very important for players and regulators to be on the same page, adding that everyone should know what the law says about the vegetable business.
He said: “The SeedCodex is an authenticated scientific material which you need to apply and activate which takes a process, everything will be completed, less than two weeks, you get it and it is activated, it is a kind of NAFDAC number for all seeds.
“The moment you see it on the back of seed, it shows that the seed has been tested and certified okay by NASC, also for those found wanting, they will be charged to court because the seed law gives permission for prosecution for contravening the law because it is an offence to sell seeds that have not gone through a normal certification process.”
Adebayo said farmers can identify quality seeds through those with the codex. “Those seeds have a third party guarantee and if there is any problem with the seed, farmers have the course to come back to the council,” he said.