NSP.

The seed is the foundation of agriculture and food security for any nation. Access to high quality seeds of superior crop varieties is vital for enhancing agricultural productivity and nourishing Nigeria's growing population. However, the systems for releasing new varieties and providing intellectual property protection have many gaps that constrain seed sector growth. 

The current paper-based procedures for variety registration and plant variety protection certification are slow, inefficient and outdated. Data is scattered across files and physical registers making information retrieval and monitoring a nightmare. Applications languish waiting months for approvals due to bureaucratic hurdles. This not only hampers the entry of new varieties but also breeds fake seed proliferation when release certificates take forever.

But change is on the horizon with the Nigeria Seed Portal - an innovative digital platform that will fast-track and streamline variety release and protection in Nigeria. Developed jointly by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) and partners, the Seed Portal will revolutionize seed systems in Nigeria. 

Breeders can swiftly apply online for protection and registration of new varieties. Online forms reduce paperwork drudgery so breeders can focus on critical research. Hassle-free upload of trial data and documents makes applications takeoff easier. Tracking application status and getting registration certificates faster will motivate more breeding innovation. Scientific data will be securely preserved digitally enhancing information management for policymaking.

For regulators like NASC and NACGRAB, the Portal backend will facilitate transparent and real-time monitoring of applications for quicker turnaround. Approvals can be seamlessly coordinated with multiple departments improving efficiency. Registries for released and protected varieties will be digitized for easy searchability and analytics. This aids data-driven oversight of the seed sector.

By bridging gaps between regulators, breeders andpolicy makers, the Nigeria Seed Portal will nurture a conducive innovation climate. More productive varieties will get released annually creating wider choice for farmers. Quick protection for novel varieties protects incomes of breeders incentivizing further research. Farmers get faster access to climate-smart and disease-resistant seeds of groundnut, beans, cassava, sorghum etc. Agile seed systems will equip Nigeria to enhance yields, boost food security and drive agricultural transformation.

The Nigeria Seed Portal is the future of our seed systems. Let us all root wholeheartedly for its success and growth. Our food security depends on it.