National Seed Council Holds Stakeholder Engagement In Tamale

The National Seed Council convened a stakeholder engagement event in Tamale, bringing together representatives from various sectors including the Northern Seed Growers Association, distributors, producers, research scientists, and farmers. The purpose of this meeting was to directly address the challenges faced by the seed sector and explore potential opportunities for growth.

National Seed Council Chairman, Alhaji Mumuni Abubakari, emphasized the importance of quality seed as a time-sensitive commodity for the success of farmers. He expressed the Council's commitment to ensuring the seed value chain operates efficiently by assessing the capacity of local seed growers, evaluating distribution networks, and analyzing certification frameworks. These efforts are aimed at safeguarding national agricultural investments such as the Feed Ghana Programme.

The Council acknowledged existing infrastructure deficits, including the need for modern seed processing and cold storage facilities, as well as the impact of climate variability. Alhaji Mumuni highlighted the potential for the private sector to contribute to resilience in the face of these challenges. He stressed that research institutions have played a crucial role in developing high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant varieties, and that these new varieties must ultimately reach farmers for maximum benefit.

The Chairman outlined the Council's plans to streamline processes related to the National Variety Release and Registration Committee, and build stronger pipelines to expedite the multiplication of breeder seed into foundation seed, and ultimately into certified seed. Additionally, the Council is exploring targeted policy interventions to encourage the adoption of newly released varieties, ensuring farmers can cultivate the best available genetics and maximize productivity on every acre.

The Agriculture Ministry pledged continued support for the seed sector through initiatives such as the distribution of free fertiliser under the Feed Ghana Programme, support for climate-sensitive borehole irrigation, and investments in the vegetable sub-sector, particularly tomato. The Ministry is partnering with research institutions to develop tomato varieties suitable for year-round supply, working with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to modernize seed conditioning facilities, and strengthening seed traceability infrastructure.

Seed Producers Association President, Francis Kwasi Adzalo, called on all farmers to patronize certified seeds to avoid pest and disease issues and achieve good yields. He cautioned against purchasing uncertified seeds, warning that these seeds may have low yields and pose risks to the country's agricultural sector.