The impact of climate change in Nigeria is marked by greater climate variability, including rising temperature and more intense and untimely rainfall. These changes threaten the agricultural system and food supplies. Local agricultural production starts with seeds. However, there is heavy reliance on imported seeds and few seed companies selling seeds of local crops. Instead, the seed system in Nigeria involves non-specialized seed production, particularly for underutilized, indigenous, locally-adapted vegetable crops. Such crops have good, commercial and nutritional value, directly contributing to the health of people in the communities where they are produced and consumed. Indigenous crops are also genetically diverse; thus, there is potential to develop climate resilient varieties, which produce yields even when other crops fail.

The potential of these crops has not been realized, as they are not part of the formal seed system. Hence, in this project, we will carry out research to understand: (i) farmers’ needs in relation to developing these crops; (ii) the available in-country diversity of the crops; (iii) how to produce and test for high quality seeds; and (iv) the potential impact of climate change on the ability to produce and use seeds. The goal of this project is to establish community-based seed production units and seed quality assurance mechanisms to ensure availability of high quality seeds and, hence, elevate production of these underutilized crops.