National Seed Policy. Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This Policy moves from the consideration that the seed and planting materials industry represents a relevant part of the agricultural sector and that farmers cover a fundamental role for planting materials. Therefore, the government elaborates this Policy as a reference material for agency officials and a guide to the activities of farmers and other stakeholders in the seed value chain. The Policy defines the following objectives: support, development and release of new crop varieties; improve the quality of seeds sold to farmers for higher yields and better income; encourage private sector participation in seed operations; promote best practices in the global seed industry; maintain genetic biodiversity of crops and encourage research on genetically modified crops, with use of biotechnology. The Policy provides for: definition of functions of National Agricultural Seeds Council, the constitution of a crop variety registration and release committee; development of priority crops including: rice, cereals, pulses, important for the achievement of food security; control of crops variety and intellectual property rights in crops production; protection of farmers’ rights; maintenance of high seed quality standards, external and internal seed quality control; plant protection and marketing; seed distribution and marketing, including import and export of seed.