Nasiru Waziri
SeedPro Africa, a leading indigenous seed production company, has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector through local seed innovation and farmer support.
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The anniversary event, held at the company’s headquarters in Kadawa, Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State, brought together stakeholders from government, development organisations, and the private sector to reflect on two decades of impact and future prospects.
Founder of the company, Alhaji Lawal Gwadabe, in his valedictory remarks, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the journey so far, describing the company’s growth from humble beginnings as a testament to resilience and vision.
He revealed that SeedPro Africa was established in 2005 with an initial capital of ₦60,000 following his early retirement from the civil service.
He recalled the early challenges faced by the company and acknowledged the role of key supporters, including his longtime associate, Mr. Chris, as well as academic contributors such as Professor Sunusi Gaya, whose guidance helped shape the company’s development.
Delivering a keynote address, Professor Ado Garki highlighted SeedPro Africa’s achievements over the past two decades, noting that the company has successfully introduced both vegetable and non-vegetable seed varieties into Nigeria’s agricultural market, contributing to improved productivity and food systems.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Zainab Lawan Gwadabe, described SeedPro Africa as one of Nigeria’s pioneer companies in horticultural seed production, focused on delivering high-quality, locally adaptable seed varieties.
She identified poor access to quality seeds as a major challenge facing Nigerian farmers, noting that many rely on expensive imported seeds that are often unsuitable for local climatic conditions.
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She explained that rising costs have worsened the situation, with tomato seeds increasing from ₦800 per 10 grams over a decade ago to as high as ₦12,000 for hybrid varieties today.
Zainab stated that this challenge informed the company’s partnership with AECF to localize seed production, making improved varieties more affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers.
Through the collaboration, SeedPro Africa is introducing six new seed varieties, including biofortified and heat-tolerant tomatoes, as well as drought-resistant pepper varieties designed to enhance productivity and ensure year-round farming.
She further revealed that the company has received significant infrastructural support, including greenhouses for seed multiplication and a state-of-the-art seed processing machine—the first of its kind in West Africa—aimed at improving quality and scaling production.
Beyond production, the initiative is also driving job creation and women’s empowerment through the provision of farm equipment and retail kiosks for female agro-dealers, enabling them to participate more actively in the agricultural value chain.
Zainab Gwadabe stressed that SeedPro Africa’s long-term vision is to support food security, increase farmers’ income, and position Nigeria as a hub for climate-resilient seed production in West Africa.
She added that the company remains committed to ensuring that farmers across the region have access to affordable, locally developed seeds capable of improving yields and livelihoods.
Also speaking, Senior Portfolio Officer at the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), Mr. Michael Adibe, emphasized the organisation’s partnership with SeedPro Africa under the Investing in Women (IIW) Nigeria project. He explained that AECF collaborates with the Kano State Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, alongside agribusiness SMEs across value chains such as seeds, vegetables, groundnuts, and dairy.
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According to him, SeedPro Africa has been a partner since 2024, benefiting from funding support for seed multiplication and processing, including the installation of modern equipment and greenhouse facilities commissioned during the anniversary.
Mr. Adibe disclosed that the company currently works with over 5,000 farmers engaged in seed multiplication, providing them with inputs, tools, and technical training in best agronomic practices. He added that the partnership aims to empower at least 5,000 women farmers and boost annual seed production to 10 metric tons by 2027.