By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited in partnership with Nagari Seeds Nigeria in Kaduna State on its green field day, sensitized farmers’ of Kurmin Kogi community on the use of quality seeds and advanced cultivation practices for maize and sorghum.
Representative of Sahel Consulting Agriculture, Mr. Ilesanmi Pupa said that the collaborative seed programme was done in partnership with Netherlands, aimed at transforming NIgeria’s seed companies in Kaduna and Kano states.
He said to build farmers capacity, they established demonstration plots and advanced cultivation to ensure quality seeds into the hands of farmers.
Mr. Ilesanmi Pupa who is a local seed expert with Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd, introduced the Collaborative Seed Programme to the Ikara community and mentioned that it is critical and important for farmers to embrace quality seeds that will improve their productivity and livelihood.
The local seed expert said that it is necessary to adopt the use of quality seeds and advanced cultivation practices, given the adverse effects of the climate change; like pest developing resistance, drought and poor soil fertility.
According to him, these are issues that call for urgency and need to be addressed immediately for farmers to gain.
Mr. Ilesanmi added that there are lots of varieties of seeds marketed by companies that farmers are yet to identify, however, Collaborative Seed Programme is partnering with the seed companies to assist in the marketing and promotion of quality seeds in Kaduna and Kano, by creating an efficient linkage between the farming communities and seed companies within the region.
Commenting on the Green Field Day, Alhaji Garba Danmade (Madakin Ikara) who is the Extension Agent in the area, said the Collaborative Seed Programme will assist farmers towards boosting their agric production.
He advised farmers to be sincere to themselves by adopting the new agricultural technologies currently in place.
Danmade assured farmers that if they embrace the new method of farming, they will see improvement beyond their expectations.
Earlier, the collecting partner, Nagari Seeds Nigeria Ltd showcased their products which the farmers appreciated in the trial demonstration farm.
