Test Seeds before Planting - FG tells Farmers

In a bid to improve productivity in the agricultural sector, the Federal Government has urged farmers in the FCT to always conduct seeds germination tests before planting.

A one day follow-up practical on soil management and seed production was organised recently for farmer in the FCT by the society for community development, SCD, with support from Action Aid, kilankwa community.

Mrs Iheonu Mary Head Micro Finance, FCT Agric Development Project demonstrated to the farmers on the farm how the test can be carried out and advised them to incorporate cow dunks to help them grow their crops.

According to her, “We need to know the type of soil before we will go further and of cause ones we know the type of soil we are farming, it will guide us on the type of crops we will plant.  “Coming to food production, if we must progress we have to start with good seed, if we do not start with good seeds just like the computer language garbage in garbage out. So whatever seeds we are going to use will determine what the outcome will be.

Although some of the farmers lamented of the challenge they face this year from birds picking out their seeds from their farm and Mrs Mary subscribed they try and patronise reputable seeds sources such as the agro dealers who have been empowered to assist the farmers.

“I am advising the farmers to go to reputable sources of seeds to get their seeds for planting, not using their seeds that have stayed up to 5 years and they are still planting and planting and they continue to plant, it will not give them quality output.

“The agro deals have been empowered very well to be able to assist all the farmers’ base on the seed they want they treat the seeds and give them appropriate seed dressing chemical to be able to use so that the birds and other ridient will not attack their seeds before germination.” Mary stated.

The CEO of SCD Mr Abdul Atsegbua in an interview session with the press made it known that the farmers had earlier complained of a disconnect between them and the Agric department, and their aim is to make them connect with the various ministries and department on Agriculture.