The National Agriculture Seed Council (NASC) ABUJA has seized about 15 bags of grain seeds and other re-bagged seeds suspected to be counterfeit during a raid on dealers in Minna, Wednesday.
Leading the operation, the Deputy Director Seeds Inspectorate Department of the council, Adenira Adedeji Bobey, said the seized bags of grain seeds do not have seed certification tags and codex.
Bobby, who spoke in an interview with journalists, explained that the raid was carried out at the farm centre area of Minna following a tip off on the illegal activities of the dealer.
“We are in Minna Niger state for on routine check the seed dealers. Based on a tip off we are here to see if they operate in accordance with the 2019 seed Act which regulates seed production in the country,” he said.
He added that the confiscated items included bags of cow pea, maize and others.
According to him, the council has been sensitising seed dealers on the implications of engaging in sharp practices that could adversely affect agricultural yield in the country.
Bobey advised farmers in the state to avoid patronising quack dealers for seeds in other to have high yield harvest.
Also speaking with journalists, the store officer of Duza Enterprise, Tanimu Duza said he is ready to clear his firm of the infractions, adding: “I admit my mistakes and will follow due process for clearance. I will also inform those that supplied the seeds and hand them over to the council.”
