NASC and digitalisation of Nigeria’s seed sector

There is no doubt that technology has brought a whole lot of innovation in every aspect of human existence. And this is the line the National Agricultural Seeds Council, (NASC) is toeing to digitalise all its operations, and also the seed sector; JOHN OBA writes.

Technology in the last decade has changed the way things are done globally through the adoption of tools like the internet, email, applications and presentations for office productivity, electronic databases for record keeping, robots and artificial intelligence for automation.

Technology is indispensable in our everyday work-lives, and it pervades every aspect of businesses and the public space, even the agricultural sector is not left out.

Efforts to standardised the system and operations 

The NASC is charged with the overall development and regulation of the national seed industry. It is to analyse and formulate programmes, policies and actions regarding seed development and the seed industry, including research on issues relating to seed testing, registration, release, production, marketing, distribution, certification, quality control, supply and use of seeds in Nigeria, importation and exportation of seeds.

It also designs improved management system and procedure relating to the administration of seed activity; and implement official quality control and certification of seeds, and facilitate enrolment of any approved private body in seed certification programmes; approve seed standards; advise the national research system on the changing pattern of seed demand and farmers’ needs.

The production and sale of foundation seed is coordinated by the NASC with the availability of appropriate varieties at acceptable levels of quality and price to farmers. Study has shown that the Council has shifted the national seed policy environment away from the traditional strong central government production and supply model as newer mechanisms are being introduced to allow greater involvement of private sector seed companies.

The law now provides for private companies “branding” of seed, somewhat similar to that which is allowed in select U.S. states. Nigeria’s approach to allow “branded” seed, however, is unique to the West African sub-region.

Major Partners: AGRA

Getting better seed to African farmers through the Program for Africa’s Seed Systems is one of the major focuses of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, was launched in 2008. Its vision, mission and Program for Africa’s Seed Systems are relevant to issues surrounding development of seed industries throughout Africa and in the context of the African continent.
Getting better seed to African farmers through PASS is one of five major focus areas of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and it is joined by complementary initiatives to improve soil health, provide better access to markets, build partnerships to change policies and strengthen farmer organizations.
PASS is also responsible for four sub-programs including Education for African Crop Improvement, Fund for the Improvement and Adoption of African Crops, Seed Production for Africa, and the Agro Dealer Development Program.

Digitalisation processes

As part of efforts to improve the Council’s services and bring the seeds sector at par with international best practices, the management launched a 5-year National Strategic Plan to enhance NASC’s services to enable sustainable demand for quality seeds. The plan I expected to build an efficient and robust certification system. 

Implementation of this plan will see NASC’s current certification process reviewed and streamlined to establish a time and cost-efficient and effective system that covers additional value chains such as fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers. 

It will see to the introduction of new technologies and innovations to the licencing and certification process. The current process of company registration is conducted manually and takes a period of 45days and the seed testing process is conducted manually. To improve its efficiency, NASC is introducing various technologies in its processes and widen its scope to non-traditional seed producers. More specifically, the Council will digitalize the licensing and renewal processes. It is introducing an electronic portal on its website to reduce the registration days for new seed entities from 45 to 15 days and for license renewals from 14 to 5 days. This will include a payment interface on its registration and licensing portal for fee collection in addition to existing payment options including bank transfers, bank deposits, etc.

According to the document, NASC will revalidate existing seed producers’ compliance with stipulated requirements for renewal of licenses. A biennial revalidation test, that will include site inspections, will be conducted to validate seed companies’ eligibility for renewal. Licenses will be upgraded or downgraded depending on the outcomes of the test. 

It will provide licenses to private companies using innovative technologies such as Semi Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH), Aeroponics, Hydroponics, for seed production. It is also developing production standards for alternative seed production technologies for an effective monitoring of the industry. Some major organizations to be included are seed laboratories, conditioners and processing plants.  

It will launch and sustain the digitalization of the quality control processes and through its partnership with mPedigree, will launch the implementation of the electronic seed quality verification system by introducing SEEDCODEX, asmart seed labelling technology that generates a unique code that will be included on the labels of all seed companies’ certified seed packages. SEEDCODEX will also provide security features to reduce the adulteration of seeds certified by NASC and enhance seed quality verification. 

NASC is identifying and partner with private seed certification entities (PSCEs) for the certification process of certified seeds. Breeder and foundation seed certification will remain the sole responsibility of NASC’s certification officers. The activities of the PSCEs will include out grower registration and field inspection for certification. The PSCEs will report to NASC (seed certification department) for verification and validation. The success of the pilot activities will facilitate the roll-out phase across the nation. To implement the third-party certification scheme, NASC and its potential partners will conduct a series of activities.  

As part of its roles, NASC is enlisting Private Seed Certification Entities (PSCEs), conducting marketing outreach to attract potential partners to apply for the scheme. NASC will ensure the PSCEs include individuals (women and youth inclusive) and companies. It will partner with radio stations to raise broad based awareness which will be drawn to its website for additional information. It will also send recruiting messages and communiques to current industry partners. 

It will also organize induction tests for the PSCEs: NASC will provide a paid induction training for the interested PSCEs. Following the training, the PSCEs will take an induction test to select the top performers. NASC will consider a re-sit option for PSCEs that failed the test. Successful PSCE applicants will be mandated to sign a code of conduct agreement to guide against misconduct and unethical practices. 

Also, NASC will screen, register and license PSCEs to carry out third-party seed certification between 2020 and 2021 in 2-3 major seed producing states. Focusing on two priority crops, NASC will test and validate the model for potential scaling up, while the Council will introduce the diagnostic certification process to verify and validate the field inspection activities. The diagnostic certification will be performed solely on foundation seeds to ensure the highest level of purity. 

Strategic plan implementation

The Council has commenced the process of digitalising its operations with the launch of several innovations recently.

The Council has trained the first batch of 75 seeds certification officers on the newly launch electric certification and authentication of seeds that is set to begin in January 2021.

Speaking during the training recently moved in Gwagwalada, Abuja, the Director-General, Dr. Phillip Ojo, said the electronic authentication and certification of seeds would ensure a reliable system, enhance the country’s ability to trace seeds, and maintain quality assurance.

He said the concept of digital certification and electronic authentication was conceived about five years ago by the council, adding that it was now an institutional order where Nigeria and other countries had resolved to latch on to.

He said, “The management recognise the need for a robust and traceable seed information data. Apart from making your schedule easier, the electronic certification process will provide a reliable system with enhanced traceability and transparency.

“The use of seed tracker will from 2021 become the sole tool for seed field inspection and certification. Therefore you know that this training is apt at this moment and please be assured that there will be more training on the subject matter till we are all in sync with process.”

Review, validation of descriptors

Also, the Council with its critical stakeholders in the seed industry review and validate the draft National Descriptor for select varieties of maize, rice and soybean to guarantee high quality seeds production in the country.

The stakeholders who reviewed and validation at a workshop on the draft National Descriptor for select varieties for maize, rice and soybean in Abuja were charge to understand the importance of their assignment.

Ojo who underscored the importance of the draft National Descriptor, adding that the document to be reviewed would assist in the production and management of seed fields.

He also pointed out that the document will not only serve as a reference material, but also will enhance the production of high quality seeds to meet the food needs of the country.

The Director General of NASC further thanked USAID, AGRA and her other partners under the Partnership for inclusive Agricultural transformation in Africa (PIATA) for supporting and funding the project through a grant to the Council.

“This document will serve as a reference material in accurately and appropriately reporting and identifying varieties based on established true characteristics.”

“I wish to reiterate that this document will form a body of knowledge for our seeds certification officers in ensuring the production of good quality seeds.”

“It will also help them to appropriately and correctly differentiate one variety from another, facilitate purification or removing and rouging mixtures/off type at different stages of crop growth as well as authenticate the variety prior to harvest, to processing and packaging.”

He assured that the project would be expanded to accommodate more varieties of crops. 

The project according to him is being supported and funded by USAID, AGRA, and other partners under the Partnership for inclusive Agricultural transformation in Africa (PIATA) through a grant to the NASC, which he appreciated Premier Seeds and Value Seeds for being part of the process.

Today, the Document we have gathered here to review, validate, and adopt will help in no small measure in the production and management of seed fields. This document will serve as a reference material inaccurately and appropriately reporting and identifying varieties based on established true characters.

“I wish to reiterate, amongst others, that this document will form a body of knowledge for our Seeds Certification officers in ensuring the production of Good quality seeds: this document will help them in; Appropriately and correctly differentiating one variety from another; Facilitates purification (Removing and rouging mixtures/off type at different stages of crop growth); Authenticating the variety prior to harvest, to processing and to packaging.”

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