IITA and NASC: Collaborative efforts at building capacity

13 October 2023

IITA–CGIAR and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) are continuing their collaboration to build capacity and foster agricultural development in Nigeria. In a follow-up meeting held on 14 September, the Senior Management Team of Feed-the-Future Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity (NIAA) met with NASC at their headquarters in Abuja.

Deputy Chief of Party (NIAA), Mr Olukayode Faleti (right); Market Systems and Livelihood Specialist (NIAA), Mr Bassey Archibong (2nd right), Acting DG (NASC), Dr Khalid Ishiak (middle); Director (NASC), Dr Jimmy Zidafamor (2nd left) and Youth/Gender Facilitator (NIAA), Mr SHakiru Quadri during the meeting
Deputy Chief of Party (NIAA), Mr Olukayode Faleti (right); Market Systems and Livelihood Specialist (NIAA), Mr Bassey Archibong (2nd right), Acting DG (NASC), Dr Khalid Ishiak (middle); Director (NASC), Dr Jimmy Zidafamor (2nd left) and Youth/Gender Facilitator (NIAA), Mr SHakiru Quadri during the meeting

NIAA Chief of Party Prakash Kant Silwal, represented by Deputy Chief of Party Olukayode Faleti, appreciated NASC for past partnerships and future collaborations. “NASC has been very supportive, especially in training the Activity’s over 60,000 farmers during our first three years of intervention. The 2,250 Community-Based Seed Producers (CBSPs) have received climate-smart and good agricultural practices training at some point or another. We are confident that NASC will continue to support us as we train our farmers and increase agricultural yields in the northeast. On our part, we will not fail to adhere strictly to NASC’s guidelines on seed production,” he said.

Receiving the team, NASC Acting Director General Dr Khalid Ishiak commended the Activity’s various achievements, especially its commitment to supporting smallholder farmers in Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe States. “We will continue to equip your CBSPs with the latest knowledge in seed quality assurance and regulation. We will also offer expertise and resources for specialized training programs tailored to NASC’s unique requirements,” he promised.

The partnership aims to benefit the Activity’s CBSPs, who will become Community-Based Seed Entrepreneurs in the various cooperative societies the Activity facilitates across the region. Also, it is expected to substantiate progress in improving agricultural practices and boosting agricultural yields.

Contributed by Ann Odaudu