The federal government has approved the commercial release and open cultivation of a new maize variety, TELA maize.

The maize was developed by researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research, IAR, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and it resists fall armyworm and stem borers and tolerates moderate drought.

This decision was made during the 33rd meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) in Ibadan.

The committee, headed by Olusoji Olufajo, approved four innovative varieties: SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T, and SAMMAZ 75T.

These cutting-edge maize varieties boast drought tolerance and resistance to stem borers and fall armyworms, promising a yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare.

Under optimal agronomic practices, it surpasses the national average for similar hybrids at six tonnes per hectare.

The suitability of these varieties for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas positions them as a potential game-changer for maize production in Nigeria.

The stem-borers and fall armyworms have significantly affected maize production in Africa. The latter can destroy up to 20 million metric tons of maize annually, enough to feed 100 million people.

The approval followed the environmental release the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) granted in October 2021. The varieties were developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, under the TELA Maize Public-Private Partnership coordinated by AATF.

Currently implemented in five countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa – the TELA maize Project signifies a collaborative effort to address agricultural challenges.

Expressing satisfaction with the release, Ado Yusuf, executive director of IAR, commended the scientists for their dedication and emphasised the extensive research and testing that went into developing these maize varieties.

AATF’s executive director, Dr Canisius Kanangire, highlighted the contribution of TELA Maize to food and nutrition security in alignment with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation agenda.

The release in Nigeria is seen as a significant step towards addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent.

Garba Sharubutu, the executive secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), labelled the approval of the TELA maize variety as a critical milestone in leveraging biotechnology for ensuring food and nutrition security.

This, he said ultimately improves the livelihoods of farming households in Africa.

Mustapha Abdullahi, director-general of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), emphasised the potential reduction in pesticide usage on maize, benefitting humans, livestock, and the environment.

Sylvester Oikeh, the TELA maize project manager, expressed encouragement by Nigeria’s decision, urging other African countries to follow suit for the benefit of farmers.

The TELA maize project involves collaboration with various partners, including National Agricultural Research Institutes in Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and others.

It has funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID. 

(NAN)