ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT INAUGURATES STATE AGRICULTURAL SEED COORDINATING COMMITTEE (SASCC), SETS STRICT MANDATE FOR QUALITY SEED PRODUCTION

The Abia State Government has taken a major step toward strengthening agricultural development and food security with the inauguration of the State Agricultural Seed Coordinating Committee (SASCC), mandated to enforce full compliance with national policies, standards, and regulatory frameworks guiding seed production, multiplication, distribution, and certification across the state.

The inauguration, which held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture in Umuahia, was performed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, PhD.

Speaking on-behalf of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Aguwa reiterated the ministry’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity through the adoption and promotion of improved, clean, and certified seed varieties, stressing that quality seeds remain the primary foundation for sustainable food production and increased yield performance.

She further charged the committee to intensify collaboration with local farmers, agro-dealers, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders, as well as to embark on massive public sensitization aimed at promoting best agricultural practices and eliminating the circulation of substandard or adulterated seeds in the state’s farming ecosystem.

Responding on-behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, the representative and Head of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Umuahia Sub-Station, Dr. Olaniyi Olayinka, expressed appreciation to the State government for the confidence, responsibility, and trust bestowed on them. He assured that the committee will remain fully committed, objective-driven, and result-oriented toward achieving the mandate and transforming Abia State into a model hub for seed regulation and agricultural productivity.

BELOW ARE MEMBERS OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SEED COORDINATING COMMITTEE (SASCC):

Dr. Ojo Uma Ojo – State Director of Agriculture

Dr. Jude Nwafor Eze – National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Amakama, Umuahia

Mr. Igwe Walter C. – Deputy Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Abia State

Mr. Ofoegbu Chibuisi Sunday – Agric Officer, Ministry of Agriculture

Mr. Kelechi Agomuoh – Agric Officer, Ministry of Agriculture

The ceremony ended with an official group photograph of some members of the committee to formally mark the c ommencement of duties.