The Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve Nigeria’s livestock sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Agricultural Seeds Council and the National Animal Production Research Institute to develop a sustainable forage seed system.
The agreement, signed in Abuja acccording to a statement by the by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, on Wednesday, is aimed at strengthening collaboration in forage seed research, certification, commercialisation, quality assurance, and sustainable livestock feed development as part of broader efforts to boost food security and agricultural transformation.
The partnership brings together key institutions under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to address long-standing challenges related to forage availability, low pasture productivity, and poor livestock nutrition across the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Director General of NASC, Fatuhu Muhammed, alongside the Senior Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development, E. A. Iyayi, and the Executive Director of NAPRI, M. R. Hassan, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to enhance livestock feed systems and agricultural resilience.
Under the MoU, NAPRI will lead research and genetic improvement of forage varieties adapted to Nigeria’s agro-ecological conditions, while NASC will oversee seed certification, testing, standards development, and compliance monitoring.
The collaboration will also integrate forage seed systems into NASC’s digital platforms to improve traceability, e-certification, and seed data management, while expanding technical training, extension services, and capacity-building support for seed producers and researchers nationwide.
Officials said the partnership is expected to improve forage seed availability, enhance animal productivity, and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term food security and economic growth objectives.