By Rukayya Muhammed Mahuta
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Katsina State Coordinating Office joined stakeholders from across the agricultural sector to mark the first-ever International Seed Day, held recently at the Katsina State Secretariat Complex.
The landmark event, organized by the Himma Agricultural Support Initiative (HASI) in collaboration with the Katsina State Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, aimed to spotlight the critical role of quality seeds in driving food security, agricultural productivity, and employment generation.
The celebration brought together agricultural investors, government officials, development partners, NGOs, and agro-dealers from across the state. In his opening remarks, HASI Chairman and Federal University Dutsin-Ma academic, Professor Sanusi Jari, unveiled the organization’s three-year strategic plan to support food systems transformation in Nigeria. He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the agricultural development priorities of Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda.
Representing the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), is the Regional Director for the North West Zone Abdul D. Abdul, who stressed the significance of using improved seed varieties. He commended HASI for its foresight in organizing the event, which he described as a necessary step toward strengthening seed systems in Nigeria.
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A keynote address was delivered by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Professor Yusuf Ibrahim El-Ladan. He emphasized how the adoption of improved seed varieties could lead to significant increases in crop yields, farmer incomes, and overall food security.
The RMRDC Katsina State Coordinator, Mr. Abubakar Y., delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to HASI for its timely intervention in advancing agricultural development. He reiterated RMRDC’s commitment to supporting innovation across agricultural value chains. His remarks were echoed by Katsina State Chairman of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Rt. Hon. Ya’u Umar Gojo-Gojo, who praised the event’s practical focus on solutions to the state’s agricultural challenges.
A highlight of the event was the symbolic launch of seed support to selected farmers, flagged off by the Katsina State Governor’s representative, Alhaji Muntari Dan-Lawan.
The RMRDC also mounted an exhibition showcasing its contributions to local seed innovation and sustainable agriculture, reinforcing its ongoing efforts to support food production and rural development in Katsina State.
