Nigeria's seed industry is taking a significant step towards improving food security with the testing of new crop varieties. The African Cereal and Legume Breeding Consortium (ACLBC) is holding a two-day workshop in the country from October 9 to 10, 2026. The programme, organised by the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and commercial seed delivery.
The workshop features a one-hectare demonstration plot in Zaria, Kaduna State, established with Premier Seeds, the ACLBC Champion Partner in Nigeria. The plot showcases promising varieties of maize, rice, sorghum, millet, soybean, groundnut, and cowpea. Seed companies will assess the performance of these varieties under field conditions before making decisions on which to add to their commercial portfolios. Nigeria has an estimated 600 seed companies, the highest concentration of seed enterprises in Africa.
The first day of the workshop, October 9, is dedicated to a Green Field Day themed "Harvesting Evidence–Mature Crop Performance Showcase." Participants will tour the demonstration plot to assess mature crops, focusing on yield potential, grain quality, post-harvest and processing characteristics, and comparative performance among varieties. Selected plots will be harvested on-site, allowing participating companies to observe yield and seed quality directly.
The second day of the workshop, October 10, will focus on translating field evidence into partnerships and commercial opportunities. The programme will feature keynote presentations, technical sessions, a panel discussion, and an interactive session with breeders and technology developers. A major panel discussion, "Bridging the Gap: From Breeder to Farmer – Scaling TAAT Technologies," will examine how improved varieties can move from research institutions into commercial seed systems.
The ACLBC was established by TAAT and AFSTA to strengthen the link between breeding research and private-sector seed delivery. The consortium operates a demand-driven model, allowing seed companies to communicate the varieties they need for specific markets and collaborate with breeders to develop or access them. ACLBC Lead, Geoffrey Nsofon, said the initiative seeks to stimulate interest among seed companies and accelerate the adoption of elite varieties and hybrids.
The Nigerian programme builds on a similar field demonstration held in August 2025 at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) station in Njoro. The Kenyan event featured a two-acre demonstration plot showcasing improved maize, soybean, rice, wheat, high-iron beans, sorghum, and millet varieties. The experience demonstrated the value of allowing potential adopters to assess varieties under actual field conditions.
The ultimate objective of the programme is to shorten the distance between agricultural research and farmers by creating stronger commercial pathways for improved seed. The organisers expect the Nigerian workshop to strengthen collaboration among technology developers, seed companies, regulators, and research institutions while providing a platform for companies to assess varieties based on evidence rather than promotional materials alone.
Key points
- The ACLBC is targeting more than 200 seed companies across Africa for the adoption and scaling of TAAT-vetted seed technologies.
- The programme offers seed companies an opportunity to assess the performance of new crop varieties under field conditions before making decisions on which varieties to add to their commercial portfolios.
- The initiative seeks to stimulate interest among seed companies and accelerate the adoption, branding, and scaling of elite varieties and hybrids developed by CGIAR centres and advanced agricultural research institutions.
