Our Work

We Strengthen Seed Systems for Improved and Nutritious Crops

NAF builds the foundations for robust, commercially sustainable seed systems that allow improved crop varieties to reach farmers at scale. Our capabilities include:

Working with Research Institutions

  • Supporting national research institutes to strengthen breeder seed production systems.

  • Improving infrastructure such as irrigation, drying, mechanization, and purity testing.

  • Assisting with quality assurance and stewardship systems for new technologies.

Enabling Foundation Seed Production

  • Helping seed companies expand foundation seed (FS) multiplication through outgrower networks.

  • Supporting storage, processing, and warehousing improvements.

  • Facilitating licensing, onboarding, and capacity strengthening of additional seed companies to enter FS markets

Certified Seed Readiness & Distribution Systems

  • Preparing companies to scale certified seed production through improved technical capacity and outgrower schemes.

  • Developing decentralized seed depots and hub-and-spoke agrodealer networks to reach farmers in remote areas.

  • Strengthening traceability, stewardship, and anti-counterfeiting systems for improved varieties

We Build Farmer Awareness and Drive Technology Adoption

Successful agricultural innovations require widespread understanding and trust. NAF implements market-led extension and demand creation systems that have proven highly effective across Nigeria.

Our approach includes:

  • Establishing demonstration plots to show performance of new crop varieties.

  • Hosting farmer field days, training sessions, and community-level events.

  • Using radio, SMS/IVR platforms, and local-language campaigns to reach rural farmers.

  • Training extension agents—including women extension officers—to act as trusted local educators and sales promoters.

Farmer-to-Farmer Diffusion

Drawing from models that have accelerated adoption of improved maize, millet, and cowpea varieties, NAF supports farmer-led sharing of seed and knowledge, enabling rapid and equitable technology diffusion.

We Strengthen Markets and Agricultural Enterprises

A strong seed system requires vibrant downstream markets. NAF works to ensure that improved crop varieties translate into real economic opportunity.

Our market-building activities include:

  • Training aggregators, processors, retailers, and traders in handling, marketing, and storage of improved grains.

  • Strengthening linkages between farmers and buyers to create reliable, structured offtake systems.

  • Supporting seed companies to develop effective branding, packaging, and sales strategies.

  • Stimulating demand-pull effects that encourage farmers and companies to invest in improved varieties.

We Expand Access to Agribusiness Financing

NAF collaborates with financial institutions, IFPRI, and value chain actors to address the persistent financing gaps that limit seed system growth.

Our finance work includes:

  • Conducting financial market assessments for seed value chain actors.

  • Helping lenders design products tailored to seed companies, outgrowers, and agrodealers.

  • Exploring blended finance mechanisms, credit guarantees, and volume-guarantee tools.

  • Reducing early-stage risk for companies investing in new seed technologies and distribution models.

We Lead Policy Engagement, Stewardship Systems, and Quality Assurance

NAF supports government agencies, regulators, and partners to develop sustainable, safe, and high-quality seed systems for improved crop varieties.

We provide support in:

  • Strengthening seed certification and inspection systems.

  • Training inspectors, seed producers, and extension agents on stewardship protocols.

  • Developing additional traceability systems aligned with national seed codex frameworks.

  • Supporting licensing and sub-licensing frameworks for new technologies, ensuring proper reporting and recordkeeping