🌿 Calculate Your Seed Requirement
🔧 Calculation Breakdown
💳 Seed Storage Tips
🔎 Simple On-Farm Germination Test
Before planting, test your seed lot — takes only 7 days:
- Count out exactly 100 seeds from your seed lot.
- Spread on a damp cloth or paper towel. Fold over and keep moist (not waterlogged) in a warm place (25-30°C).
- Check daily for 7-10 days. Count sprouted seeds each day.
- Calculate: Germination % = sprouted ÷ 100 × 100
- If germination is below 70%, increase your seed rate by 20-30% or source fresh certified seed.
🇱🇬 Seed Programs & Sources in Nigeria
Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) / Growth Enhancement Support (GES): Subsidised inputs including seeds distributed to registered farmers via e-wallet system. Contact your State ADP or FMARD for registration.
- Certification BodyNASC — National Agricultural Seed Council (nasc.gov.ng)
- Key SuppliersPremier Seed Nigeria, SEEDCO Nigeria, Notore Seeds, Syngenta Nigeria, DuPont Pioneer Nigeria
- Research InstitutesIITA (Ibadan), NRCRI (Umudike), IAR (Zaria), NCRI (Badeggi)
- Extension ServiceState Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) — contact your local ADP office
- Hybrid Seed WarningSecond-generation hybrid seed loses 20-30% yield potential. Buy fresh hybrid seed each season.
🧪 Seed Treatment Recommendations
Proper seed treatment protects your investment and improves germination:
- Cereals (maize, rice, sorghum)Fungicide dressing: Thiram + Metalaxyl (Apron Star). Protects against seed-borne diseases and soil fungi. Apply 2-3 g per kg of seed.
- Legumes (soybean, cowpea)Rhizobium inoculant (for soybean: Bradyrhizobium japonicum). Improves nitrogen fixation. Never use with systemic fungicides — apply inoculant 30 min before planting.
- GroundnutCheck for aflatoxin. Never plant mouldy or discoloured seed. Thiram dressing reduces soil-borne diseases.
- Vegetative cropsCassava: dip cuttings in Mancozeb solution (2g/L) for 5 min to control mosaic virus vectors. Yam: treat minisetts with Apron Star + copper fungicide.