Govt launches maize variety to close deficiency in production
Federal Government introduces TELA maize variety to address Nigeria’s six million annual maize production deficit. Developed at IAR with partners, including AATF and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s resistant to drought and fall armyworm. Minister Aliyu Abdullahi predicts closing the deficit in three years with 1.5 million hectares. AATF’s Dr. Canisius Kanangire highlights benefits: increased yields, reduced pesticide use, and enhanced food security.
Federal Government has launched a transgenic maize variety, TELA.
This, it said, will close deficiency in maize production estimated at six million annually.
It was developed at Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in partnership with African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners.
The variety is genetically modified against drought and fall armyworm, which destroys almost 100 per cent of maize planted in the field.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said Tela maize will close the national deficiency in maize production.
Abdullahi added the deficit will close in the next three years if 1.5 million hectares of Nigeria’s six million hectares is used to plant the TELA variety.
He said this amounts to an average of more increase of 10.5 million metric tons, which will bring national production to over 20 million metric tons.
This, he said, will make Nigeria not only self-sufficient but also able to export around two million metric tons yearly.
He said the positive impact of TELA maize will be felt through all sectors.
“It will also contribute to our national food reserves, providing a buffer against food shortages and enhancing food security profile.
“The profound impact of this development might have been difficult to visualise before TELA maize… ” he said.
Executive Director of AATF, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, said the variety offers benefits.
He said with its resistance to pests and tolerance to drought, it will boost maize yields, providing more food and income for farmers in Nigeria.
These varieties, he said, will reduce pesticide use which will lower cost of maize production, making farming more profitable and sustainable.
Source Link : https://thenationonlineng.net/govt-launches-maize-variety-to-close-deficiency-in-production/
