National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC Advocates Seed-Palliatives for Farmers .

National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC Advocates Seed-Palliatives for Farmers.The Director General, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Dr. Philip Ojo, has urged both the federal and state governments to consider providing seeds as palliatives to farmers amidst the devastating impact of COVID-19 in the country. He also said the seed industry currently has about 81,000 metric tons of certified seeds of rice, maize, sorghum, soyabean, cowpea, millet, groundnut, wheat, sesame and potato that are ready for deployment and purchase by farmers for the production of food and raw materials for Nigerians during the current planting season.

FOOD SECURITY THROUGH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT.

Food security can be achieved on a global scale if production processes are subjected to improved stock using genetically proven animals.

The way to harness the advantages in using genetically proven lines include; selective breeding,rearing and cross breeding to develop strains/lines that can produce more in the desired country.

There are various breeds of chicken,cattle,pigs that are proven and can adapt and survive in the country.

Genetics play a pivotal role in food security either by selective breeding, genetic engineering, gene mapping and coding and artificial insemination.
The improved strain will produce faster within a short time thus extending production cycles. Seed improvement is also relevant in food security, where genetically modified seeds produce better crops that are disease resistant .

Ordinary seeds can also be improved by using agricultural supplements that enables the crops to grow,flourish and ready for harvest within a shorter time. The use of technology in food security cannot be overemphasized as the introduction of biotech to food production is of immense benefits.

The springing up of bio-crops allows farming even in areas where there is much pressure on the land,thus availing the urban farmer an opportunity to participate in food security.

 Cultivating advanced planting techniques such as hydroponics,aeroponics and aquaponics , also enables farming in areas where land is an issue.

Fruits and vegetables are planted in columns,using nutrient media instead of soil. Vegetables can also be reared alongside fishes in the aquaponics to enhance food security.