Seed constitutes
an important input in arable crop production. Without seeds, it would be
virtually impossible to develop a stable agricultural system by man (Copeland,
L.O, 2000). Poetically posits that “desolate indeed would be our world without
seeds and without men’s propensity to culture them.” Thus, even if all other
factors of production are available, meaningful crop production may be
virtually impossible without viable seeds. And hence, seed has the most
profound influence on crop yield because it is the carrier of genetic potential
of crop plants, while other inputs simply build favorable environment for the
manifestation of the genetic potential of the crop. Producing enough seed is
one of the most diffi cult problems facing many countries.

According
to Douglas, J.E, (2000) strongly asserts that a country’s seed programme takes
a giant step towards success if it is able to fi nd answers to certain
questions and establish clear policies on the seed industry. These questions
are: should seeds be produced locally or imported? Who should produce the seed?
How can a seed enterprise be started and who is involved in its management? Can
foreign seed firms help get a commercial seed industry started? And what is
actually involved in getting a seed industry started? In Nigeria, seed
production for major crops is primarily a government undertaking. Private
sector’s participation is limited to the commercial production of certified
seeds of grains. In the public sector, the most important organizations responsible
for the production and distribution of certified seeds are the National Seed
Service (NSS) and the Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs). These
organizations no longer undertake direct production of seeds but rely on the
contract growers especially small farmers. The attainment of self-sufficiency
in the production of basic staple food as well as agro-industrial raw materials
depend mainly on the availability and widespread use of high quality, improved
planting materials and other complementary inputs such as fertilizers and plant
protection chemicals.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem