News in brief:
– Umudike Seeds Company will launch the Nigeria Seed Innovation Partners Forum to boost innovation and strengthen the seed value chain for vegetatively propagated crops like cassava and yam.
– The forum aims to foster public-private partnerships, improve access to certified seeds, and support Nigeria’s food security and climate-smart agriculture goals.
The Umudike Seeds Company and key agricultural stakeholders have announced plans to establish the Nigeria Seed Innovation Partners Forum focused on vegetatively propagated (VPG) crops, such as cassava, yam, ginger, and sweet potato.
The forum, set to launch in the third quarter of 2025, aims to drive innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s seed value chain for these critical crops.
Dr Tony Bello, Chairman of Umudike Seeds Company, said the forum will support a resilient, market-driven seed ecosystem and foster public-private partnerships across Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
A dedicated task force, co-chaired by Mosunmola Umoru and Dr Ruby Onwudiwe, has been formed to lead stakeholder engagement and align policies nationwide.
The initiative was endorsed during the inaugural board meeting hosted by Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd, with backing from organisations such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Sasakawa Africa Association, NADF, ICSAN, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Vegetatively propagated crops are grown using stems, roots, or tubers instead of seeds, allowing for rapid multiplication and trait preservation. However, experts warn of genetic uniformity and vulnerability to disease, challenges this initiative seeks to address.
The forum will act as a national platform to scale seed system innovations, improve access to certified seeds, and align with Nigeria’s goals for food security, wealth creation, and climate-smart agriculture. Bello emphasised commitments made to expand seed production of top-performing cassava varieties like TME419, Game Changer, and Obasanjo II.
Established in 2018, Umudike Seeds Company is a spin-off from the National Root Crops Research Institute and remains committed to driving farmer-centred solutions across Nigeria’s seed industry.
