The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), *has trained 20 lead rice farmers in Abuja, from Badeggi* community of Niger State on a two-days capacity building workshop on community rice seed production to help promote food security in the country.
his keynote address, the Acting DG of *NASC, Dr. Ishiak Othman Khalid, said the workshop is aimed at promoting* *and empowering local community* Based seed producers in ensuring sustainable agriculture, food/nutritional security, and environmental conservation.
Khalid, reiterated that the NASC initiative also seeks to address the pressing need* to improve farmers’ access to quality seeds, knowledge, and other resources for small-scale farmers within our communities.
On her part, the Acting Director, *Esther* Mahdi Aliyu, said the Department is saddled with the responsibility of taking seed business *to the grassroot to help improve food* production in the country.
One of the participants, Mr. Zacchaeus Salawu, who spoke on behalf of other farmers thanked the Ministry for the training workshop, and *assure that the knowledge acquired* from the program would go a long way to improve rice production in Niger State. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)