Nigeria: Benue farmers lament poor access to improved cowpea, soybean seeds

Majority of peasant farmers in Benue State have lamented poor access to improved cowpea and soybean seeds for planting. Andrew Nabem, a soybean farmer, lamented that farming the crop had become challenging in the state as farmers either lacked access or were unaware of new varieties of seeds. He said, “Some time ago we were to have seeds for 1,000 farmers but could hardly access the seeds for 50 hectares despite so much awareness created by USAID and other bodies. The seeds of different varieties were hardly accessed, so instead we planted other grains. “We have an association of over 3,000 farmers, but our challenge is mostly lack of seeds. Our association is ready to work in clusters with seed companies across the state in order to access the seeds. “If we work together with the producers of seeds, we will see the results on our fields. For soybean farming, seed is always the problem. Seed companies need to sit up because if we appreciate the seeds they make, we will patronise ...