|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Olisa Babafemi, a Nigerian specialist in plant and seed science, is contributing to agricultural research, seed quality assurance, and national food security through his work in seed pathology, seed technology, and regulatory oversight.
Babafemi studied Plant Science at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and later obtained a Master of Science in Seed Science in 2010. He completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Seed Science and Technology, a phase he described as one that offered him “a broad and practical understanding of crop production, seed conservation, plant propagation, plant protection, nursery practices, agronomy, plant breeding, crop physiology and research methodology.” He said this period formed the base for his later work in Nigeria’s seed sector.
His career progressed from research and field assignments to management responsibilities at the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC). He noted that his academic training at OAU “provided the launchpad that moved my work from the national platform at the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to international recognition within the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA).” His work with ISTA led to the 2022 Young @ ISTA grant, which recognised his contribution to seed quality assurance and research aligned with global seed testing standards.
Babafemi is currently Head of the Central Seed Testing Laboratory of the NASC, also known as the Referral Laboratory. In this role, he oversees the country’s seed quality control programmes that focus on seed testing. His duties cover coordination of seed quality control staff, seed quality testing, seed health testing, quality assurance, and leading the technical team that diagnoses problems affecting seed lots in different parts of Nigeria.
“As the quality assurance manager, my role is to coordinate a team that investigates the nature of seed quality challenges in the Nigerian seed industry and recommends remedies based on scientific evidence,” he said. He explained that data from the laboratory supports national seed quality assurance policies that “drive decisions that protect farmers’ interest and strengthen trust in the seed market,” which he added contributes to food security.
Through his leadership, Nigeria secured ISTA membership, and in 2023 the Central Seed Testing Laboratory achieved full ISTA accreditation. It became the first laboratory in the country to meet this requirement. Babafemi said the accreditation has improved the quality of seeds available to farmers and strengthened the seed control system.
His work includes capacity development within and outside Nigeria. He has trained seed quality control officers from private seed companies, public institutions, universities, research institutes, and countries across Africa. These training efforts support seed inspection, regulatory systems, and the development of functional seed markets.
Beyond regulation, Babafemi conducts scientific research that focuses on seed quality, seed utilisation, and crop productivity. His studies cover low seed storability, fungal contamination, seed-borne diseases, weed contamination in seed lots, and physiological and pathological factors that influence crop performance.
He has designed and supervised agricultural research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate students and agricultural officers. His input has shaped methodologies for seed testing and productivity studies through protocol development in seed laboratories.
Babafemi also works in screen house crop production with a focus on vegetable crops. His approach in controlled-environment agriculture provides farmers with alternative production methods that support crop performance and help manage environmental stress.
According to him, “my research activities are targeted at solving practical problems and providing recommendations that can support farmer-friendly policies, especially in relation to sustainable seed and food security.” He said the future of Nigeria’s agriculture depends on “a reliable and transparent seed system built on scientific evidence, quality assurance and strong regulatory enforcement.”
He continues to address key issues in the seed industry, including the distribution of fake and adulterated seeds, poor storage systems, weak distribution networks, and gaps in regulatory compliance. One of the tools used by NASC to respond to these concerns is SEEDCODEX, an electronic seed verification system introduced in 2019. Through this platform, farmers can confirm the authenticity of seed packages by using scratch codes and mobile verification. Babafemi and his team have promoted the system as a way to reduce counterfeit seeds and improve trust in the seed market.
His research has also influenced national seed policy. Some of the studies he co-authored highlight low physiological seed quality and the need for breeders to develop seeds with better storage capacity. His work on seed vigour testing, seed-borne pathogens, and weed contamination continues to inform improvements in seed quality control. He also plays a role in National Seed System Surveys and other assessments that guide planning in the seed sector.
Babafemi has provided technical support to the International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Programme (IFAD-VCDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). His contributions include seed quality assurance, climate-resilient agriculture, and institutional capacity strengthening.
