June 24, 2025
Agriculture is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, livelihoods and food security. Yet, the success of the farming systems, especially those driven by smallholder farmers, depends fundamentally on access to quality seed of a diversity of resilient varieties suitable to the individual farmers’ needs and their farming conditions. In this context, Farmer-Community Managed Seed Systems (FCMSS) are essential. They serve, for the majority of Nigerian farmers, as the primary source of seed and play an essential role in food security, agrobiodiversity conservation and agricultural resilience.
Local seed systems preserve a diverse range of plant species, crucial for ecological balance and resilience.
There is growing recognition of the vital role that FCMSS play in seed sector development. This white paper, Farmer- and Community Managed Seed Systems (FCMSS): Inputs for a Nigerian Agenda, is timely and essential. It brings together insights from farmers, seed sector stakeholders, policymakers and researchers to highlight the potential of FCMSS in a resilient and inclusive seed sector.
Community involvement fosters adaptive strategies to cope with environmental and socio-economic changes
By synthesizing findings from multi-stakeholder dialogues, reviewing the policy landscape, and proposing strategic innovation pathways, this report provides a strategic foundation for integrating FCMSS into Nigeria’s National Seed Road Map. It offers a comprehensive framework for aligning Nigeria’s seed system development agenda with the realities and strengths of farmers who have, for generations, nurtured seed diversity and ensured continuity in food production.
Beeld: ©Freepik / Image by senivpetro on Freepik
Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Impact
This report is the result of the project titled ‘Nigeria’s Agenda for Farmer and Community-based Seed Systems contributing to agrobiodiversity management and use, and seed sector development’, implemented by Sahel Consulting. It is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LNVN) and forms part of the Collaborative Seed Programme (CSP). The CSP is implemented by Wageningen Social & Economic Research together with Sahel Consulting and partners, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abuja.
By combining local knowledge with scientific expertise, the program seeks to transform Nigeria's seed sector into a more resilient and inclusive system.
A Call to Action
The insights from this report serve as a clarion call for stakeholders government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to invest in and support community-managed seed systems. By doing so, Nigeria can build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future, ensuring food security and improved livelihoods for its rural communities.
For more detailed information, the full report is available here.
Contact
For more information about this sector or any other agricultural questions feel free to contact us via acc-lvvn@minbuza.nl.
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