NADP Advises Farmers On Improved Seeds Varieties

The Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme, (NADP), has advised farmers to acquire knowledge and use improved seed varieties to boost crop production.

Umaru Nuhu, NADP Programme Manager, stated this in an interview with the Newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia.

According to him, the advice becomes necessary as the farming season is about to fully commence so as to increase their productivity, thereby enhancing food sufficiency in the state.

Umaru said that as part of the preparation for the wet season farming, varieties of improved seeds like rice, maize, and other farm inputs were available at the NADP office for farmers.

He added that the NADP, having taken cognisance of the climate change challenge, continues to share relevant information and knowledge to farmers, like when and what types of seeds to plant to have high yield.

“Having understood what it means to have food security, we give out information that is beneficial to farmers in the state.

“We usually go to the media to advertise our product to farmers to increase their productivity. We do this through radio programmes and jingles.

“As I speak, we have some improved and reliable seed varieties in our office, we always advise farmers who want to go into production to visit NADP for improved seeds,” he said.

Nuhu urged farmers to desist from buying grains from open markets to plant, noting that they were not from reliable and improved sources hence would not boost productivity.

“Most of the farmers who are planting now don’t have seeds, they have grains they just bought from the open markets, and they cannot have a good yield like improved seeds.

“We believe that if farmers have the right knowledge of planting time and the right seed varieties to plant, they will have good yields,” he said.