SEEDS OF SURVIVAL: Dr. Abiola Bashorun Unveils Bold National Blueprint to Safeguard Nigeria's Agricultural Heritage and Secure Future Food Systems

By Our Features Desk

As climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation continue to threaten global food systems, a leading environmental sustainability advocate and agricultural development strategist, Dr. Abiola Bashorun, has presented a compelling national framework designed to protect Nigeria's indigenous agricultural heritage while strengthening food security, climate resilience and rural prosperity.

In a thought-provoking policy paper titled "Seed Conservation Bank: Preserving Nigeria's Agricultural Heritage, Securing Our Future," the National Coordinator of the Climate-Smart Agronomy Programme (NC-SAP) advocates the establishment of a dynamic Seed Conservation Bank (SCB)—a living national institution that goes beyond conventional seed storage to ensure the regeneration, multiplication and redistribution of indigenous seeds to farming communities across Nigeria.

The proposal, which combines science, environmental sustainability, innovation and grassroots participation, is widely regarded as a timely intervention as Nigeria grapples with declining biodiversity, changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on its agricultural sector.

A Nation's Future Lies in Its Seeds

According to Dr. Bashorun, no nation can afford to lose its indigenous seeds without simultaneously jeopardising its agricultural identity, environmental sustainability and capacity to feed future generations.

He explains that for centuries, Nigerian farmers have cultivated numerous indigenous crop varieties naturally adapted to local soils, climatic conditions and ecosystems. These seeds, he notes, represent far more than planting materials.

"They are living repositories of history, science, culture, resilience and survival," he observes.

From indigenous cereals and vegetables to medicinal plants, forage species and native forest trees, Nigeria possesses enormous plant genetic resources developed through generations of traditional farming practices.

However, these priceless genetic resources are now facing unprecedented threats.

Climate Change Accelerating Seed Loss

Dr. Bashorun identifies climate change as one of the greatest dangers confronting indigenous agriculture today.

Prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall patterns, flooding, rising temperatures and extreme weather events are rapidly altering ecosystems where many local crop varieties have thrived for centuries.

Beyond climate change, he lists several additional factors contributing to the disappearance of indigenous seeds, including:

Deforestation

Habitat degradation

Urban expansion

Armed conflicts

Changing farming systems

Overdependence on commercial seed varieties

Weak conservation policies

Declining traditional seed-saving knowledge

According to him, these challenges have pushed many indigenous plant species dangerously close to extinction.

"The disappearance of indigenous seeds is not merely an agricultural issue," he argues.

"It is the gradual erosion of our national heritage."

Why Conventional Seed Banks Are No Longer Enough

While acknowledging the valuable role traditional seed banks have played in preserving biodiversity, Dr. Bashorun insists that the future demands a more dynamic conservation model.

He argues that preserving seeds inside refrigerated vaults alone cannot guarantee long-term survival.

"A seed has only one purpose—to grow."

This philosophy forms the foundation of the proposed Seed Conservation Bank (SCB).

Unlike conventional facilities where seeds remain in storage for prolonged periods, the SCB is envisioned as a living conservation system where every conserved seed undergoes continuous scientific monitoring, regeneration, multiplication and redistribution.

Under this model, conserved seeds would regularly return to farms where they continue evolving naturally while maintaining their viability and genetic integrity.

Moving From "Seed Jail" to Seed Freedom

Perhaps the most striking concept introduced by Dr. Bashorun is what he describes as "Seed Jail."

Rather than referring to physical confinement, Seed Jail symbolises a conservation system where indigenous seeds are collected, catalogued and stored indefinitely without being regenerated or made accessible to farmers.

According to him, this practice unintentionally weakens agricultural resilience.

"When seeds disappear from active cultivation, farmers gradually lose access to them. Biodiversity declines. Traditional knowledge fades. Climate resilience weakens."

He warns that conservation without regeneration ultimately defeats the purpose of preserving biodiversity.

Instead of protecting indigenous agriculture, such systems risk creating collections of dormant genetic resources disconnected from the communities that originally nurtured them.

The solution, he argues, is Seed Freedom—a model where conserved seeds remain alive through continuous cultivation, multiplication and community access.

Introducing the Seed Conservation Bank

At the heart of Dr. Bashorun's proposal is the creation of a national Seed Conservation Bank designed to serve as Nigeria's foremost institution for indigenous seed preservation and climate-smart agriculture.

The institution would undertake:

Collection of endangered indigenous seeds

Scientific testing and documentation

Long-term conservation

Continuous regeneration

Seed multiplication

Farmer distribution

Community participation

Biodiversity monitoring

Climate-resilient research

Rather than operating solely as a storage facility, the SCB would function as a national centre for agricultural innovation, environmental sustainability and genetic resource management.

A Nationwide Conservation Network

Dr. Bashorun further proposes the establishment of community-based Seed Conservation Centres in every state of the federation.

These centres would serve as regional hubs for protecting indigenous crops, vegetables, medicinal plants, forage species and forest trees unique to various ecological zones across Nigeria.

According to the proposal, the centres would:

Preserve endangered indigenous plant species.

Continuously regenerate conserved seeds.

Supply quality indigenous seeds to farmers.

Support ecological restoration initiatives.

Promote afforestation programmes.

Enhance climate-smart farming.

Encourage indigenous knowledge preservation.

Facilitate scientific research.

Strengthen collaboration among universities, research institutes and government agencies.

Such decentralised conservation, he believes, would ensure that biodiversity protection becomes a community-driven national movement rather than a centrally managed programme.

Climate-Smart Agriculture Begins With Indigenous Seeds

Dr. Bashorun believes indigenous seeds offer one of Nigeria's greatest opportunities for climate adaptation.

Unlike many imported commercial varieties, indigenous crops have evolved naturally over centuries to withstand local environmental pressures.

Their genetic diversity provides resistance against:

Drought

Flooding

Heat stress

Local pests

Indigenous diseases

Soil variability

These characteristics make indigenous seeds invaluable assets for developing resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding future climate uncertainties.

Protecting these seeds, he insists, is no longer optional.

"It is an environmental, economic and national security priority."

Driving Environmental Sustainability

The proposed Seed Conservation Bank also aligns closely with Nigeria's environmental sustainability objectives.

Dr. Bashorun explains that conserving indigenous plant genetic resources supports:

Biodiversity conservation

Ecosystem restoration

Sustainable land management

Carbon sequestration

Afforestation

Ecological resilience

Climate mitigation

Climate adaptation

Every indigenous species successfully conserved contributes to healthier ecosystems capable of supporting agriculture, wildlife and human livelihoods simultaneously.

Economic Opportunities for Nigerian Youth

Beyond conservation, the initiative carries enormous economic potential.

Dr. Bashorun projects that the Seed Conservation Bank could stimulate thousands of jobs across multiple sectors, including:

Seed science

Biotechnology

Plant breeding

Laboratory technology

Nursery management

Biodiversity conservation

Agricultural extension services

Climate-smart farming

Environmental consultancy

Rural enterprise development

By creating employment around indigenous agriculture, the initiative could significantly reduce rural unemployment while strengthening Nigeria's agricultural value chain.

Strengthening National Food Security

Food security remains one of Nigeria's greatest development challenges.

Population growth, insecurity, climate change and declining agricultural productivity continue to increase pressure on domestic food production.

Dr. Bashorun argues that protecting indigenous seeds offers a sustainable pathway towards greater food sovereignty.

When farmers maintain access to locally adapted seeds capable of thriving under changing climatic conditions, agricultural productivity improves while dependence on imported seed varieties declines.

He believes resilient food systems begin with resilient seeds.

A Shared National Responsibility

Dr. Bashorun emphasises that safeguarding Nigeria's indigenous seeds cannot be achieved by government alone.

He calls for a broad coalition involving:

Federal and State Governments

Universities

Research institutions

Traditional rulers

Farmers' associations

Civil society organisations

Development partners

Private sector investors

Local communities

Only through collective ownership, he argues, can Nigeria preserve its agricultural heritage for future generations.

A Vision Rooted in Renewal

The Climate-Smart Agronomy Programme's vision extends beyond conservation.

Its philosophy is anchored on four simple but transformative principles:

Conserve. Regenerate. Multiply. Share.

The vision is equally ambitious:

Every indigenous seed conserved.

Every viable seed regenerated.

Every regenerated seed planted.

Every harvest secured for future generations.

For Dr. Bashorun, the future of Nigerian agriculture will not be secured by locking valuable seeds inside storage facilities.

Rather, it will be secured by returning those seeds to the soil, empowering farmers, restoring biodiversity and building resilient food systems capable of feeding generations yet unborn.

As Nigeria confronts the realities of climate change and increasing food insecurity, the proposed Seed Conservation Bank represents more than an agricultural intervention. It is a strategic national agenda that seeks to preserve the country's rich biological heritage while laying a sustainable foundation for economic growth, environmental stewardship and food security.

In Dr. Bashorun's words, "Every seed deserves the opportunity to grow—not to remain in Seed Jail." That philosophy may well define the future of climate-smart agriculture in Nigeria.