The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially launched a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in partnership with the Nasarawa State Government to strengthen community-based rice seed production in the state, as part of efforts to improve food security and farmer livelihoods.
The official launch took place during a project inception workshop held in Lafia on 27 January 2026, bringing together stakeholders from federal and state governments, research institutions, seed regulatory bodies, development partners, farmer groups, and the private sector. Participants met to align on project objectives, implementation strategies, and clearly define roles and responsibilities for effective delivery.
The initiative comes at a time when sustainable food systems are increasingly viewed as central to government action aimed at achieving a better life for all. Nasarawa State is recognised as one of Nigeria’s major rice-producing hubs, but productivity has remained below potential due to limited access to quality and affordable seeds. High seed costs, weak last-mile distribution systems, and the widespread reuse of paddy from previous harvests have led to yield losses of up to 50 percent among smallholder farmers.
The FAO-supported project is designed to address these challenges by promoting a sustainable, community-based rice seed production system. The approach focuses on improving farmers’ access to certified rice seeds while enhancing overall productivity and strengthening local seed enterprises across selected communities in the state.
Speaking at the workshop, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadain, said the initiative aligns with FAO’s broader support to Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food security agenda. He explained that strengthening community-level seed systems is key to improving farmer livelihoods and boosting domestic rice production.
“Access to quality seeds is fundamental to increasing agricultural productivity and building resilient food systems. Through this Technical Cooperation Programme, FAO is supporting Nasarawa State to strengthen community-based rice seed production, ensuring that smallholder farmers can access affordable, certified seeds at the right time and in the right place. This initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to working with government and partners to close yield gaps, enhance farmer incomes, and contribute to Nigeria’s food security goals,” Gadain said.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Agriculture in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Tanko, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to close collaboration with FAO to ensure effective project implementation and long-term sustainability. He described rice as a strategic crop for the state’s economy and food supply.
“Rice remains a strategic crop for Nasarawa State, and improving access to quality seeds is critical to unlocking its full production potential. We welcome FAO’s technical support and partnership in promoting a community-based seed system that empowers our farmers, strengthens local capacity, and supports sustainable agricultural development. The State Government remains fully committed to ensuring the successful implementation of this project,” Tanko stated.
For local farmers, the initiative is already raising expectations. Ibrahim Husseni, a farmer who participated in the workshop, said the programme offers hope for increased productivity and income. “With this partnership between the state government and FAO, we hope to learn how to expand our capacity, produce more bags of rice using improved seeds, and ultimately earn more income,” he said.
The inception workshop also allowed stakeholders to review and update the project workplan in line with the 2026 wet season production calendar. Implementation roles were clarified, and partners were introduced to the three selected intervention sites for rice seed multiplication. Technical teams carried out field assessments within the proposed clusters to guide varietal selection and confirm site suitability, in line with FAO quality assurance standards and global best practices.
Implementation of the project will be carried out in partnership with key national institutions, including the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), and HarvestPlus of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), alongside farmer organisations and local production clusters.
At the end of the workshop, stakeholders agreed on follow-up actions and timelines to support the full rollout of the workplan. Once implemented, the project is expected to improve access to quality rice seeds, increase yields, and enhance food security in Nasarawa State, while contributing to Nigeria’s broader goal of building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems that leave no farmer behind.
