The Federal Government has announced a major set of agricultural reforms that signal a new phase for the country’s food security and agribusiness sector. The government introduced a ₦50 billion Presidential Catalytic Seed Fund, launched the Seeds for Renewed Hope Programme, and unveiled a new national seed system strategy. The announcements were made at the 8th Edition of the SeedConnect Africa Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, which also marked the fiftieth anniversary of Nigeria’s organised seed industry.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by a senior adviser on food security, opened the conference and described the seed sector as the first technology needed to drive agricultural transformation. He said the S-RHP initiative is designed to strengthen the seed value chain from end to end, expand access to climate-resilient seed varieties, support seed companies with finance, and improve last-mile delivery to farmers across the country. The programme is also expected to boost Nigeria’s annual seed requirement for major staple crops by ten percent between 2025 and 2027, reducing import dependence and supporting food sovereignty.
A central feature of the reforms is the activation of Section 45 of the NASC Act, which establishes the ₦50 billion fund at the Bank of Industry. The concessional facility, offered at a six percent repayment rate, will support crop breeding, early-generation seed production, and commercial seed expansion while giving farmers access to higher-quality seeds.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security said the reforms align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to stabilise food prices. He highlighted progress in wheat expansion, including new breakthroughs in rainfed wheat cultivation in Plateau State, as well as the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion and a ₦250 billion financing window for smallholder farmers. The chair of the National Agricultural Seed Council governing board described the reforms as a turning point that will offer a long-term framework for investment, innovation, and stronger regulation within the sector.
The director-general of the NASC outlined the council’s recent achievements, such as joining major global seed bodies, implementing digital certification systems, and achieving seed export earnings worth more than eight million dollars in 2023. He also introduced new regulatory tools aimed at improving variety registration, liberalising early-generation seed production, and strengthening third-party certification.
The event featured the launch of Nigeria’s Seed Book, the NASC fiftieth anniversary logo, and the Nigeria Seed System Strategy Document supported by AGRA. Representatives from development partners and private seed companies, including the World Bank, AGRA, IITA, JICA, and ECOWAS, were in attendance. The conference continues with exhibitions, technical sessions, and high-level meetings, all focused on building a more resilient and competitive seed industry for Nigeria and the continent.
This reform package carries major implications for Nigeria’s agriculture-dependent MSMEs. More reliable access to certified seedlings, improved seed quality, and expanded financing channels could help small agro-processors, input dealers, and farmers scale their operations, improve yields, and reduce losses. The emphasis on climate-resilient seed varieties is particularly important for smallholders who often face the highest risk from changing weather patterns.
