Four genetically modified TELA maize varieties have been endorsed by the federal government in Nigeria. The varieties which have been approved for commercialisation are insect resistant and drought tolerant varieties. That is the position of the federal government now to improve maize yield in the country. The approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF). The body, which is headed by Professor Olusoji Olufajo, announced this during its 33rd meeting at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan.The four varieties approved by the NVRC are, SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T, and SAMMAZ 75T.What is the advantage of Tela Maize? Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, director, Africa Agricultural Technological Foundation, AATF, Kenya said, “If you are growing maize on a hectare of land with the normal maize, you will have about a hundred tonnes of maize, while a farmer growing maize on a hectare of land with the technology, would harvest about 140 tonnes of maize.” He was speaking at a one-day interactive seminar in Kaduna involving stakeholders from research institutions like the Institute of Agriculture Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, National Biotechnological Agency Abuja, African Agricultural Technological Foundation (AATF).He said the Tela maize had been introduced in some other African countries ahead of Nigeria. The countries are South Africa, Mozambique and Ghana. According to Dr. Rose Gidado, a Director Agricultural Department, National Biotechnology Agency Abuja, the endorsement of Tela maize means more money for Nigerian farmers. She said while the ordinary maize gives about 1.4 tonnes, the Tela gives about 5.6 tonnes. The adoption of Tela maize would result in the harvest of about seven tonnes of maize per hectare, instead of the two to three tonnes. As the farmers will be smiling to the bank, so will the battle against food insecurity will get a boost through improved maize production in the country. To demonstrate what Nigeria will gain from the endorsement of Tela Maize, Oikeh said, “Currently, Nigeria cultivates 5 to 6 million hectares of land, but only gets one tonne of maize per hectare, but in South Africa, the yield per hectare is 5.6 tonnes. This is made possible with the use of Tela Maize Technology.”Another advantage of Tela maize is that it will reduce the use of pesticides on maize to the bare minimum, which is beneficial to humans, livestock, and environment. One thing that has worked against Nigerian maize in the international market is the complaints about the use of pesticides to control pests and save the plant. International consumers insist that pesticides make consumption of maize produced in Nigeria unsafe for consumption. The new maize varieties which are Genetically Modified (GM) are drought tolerant and are resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworm resulting in yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices. The national average for similar hybrids is 6 tonnes per hectare. The varieties are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas.Stem-borer, which attacks maize on the farm, reduces production in several countries in Africa, while fall armyworm is said to be responsible for the destruction of up to 20 million metric tons of maize in the continent each year. If that can be reversed, the tonnage will feed about 100 million people. The release and registration of the four varieties became possible after the environmental release approval in October 2021 granted by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).Development of the improved varieties was led by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria through the TELA Maize Public-Private Partnership coordinated by AATF.Professor Ado Yusuf, Executive Director, IAR who expressed satisfaction with the release of the new four maize varieties said, “IAR is very proud of our scientists who are addressing the maize productivity challenges in the country and beyond. These varieties have undergone thorough research and have been developed using the tools of biotechnology over several years of continuous testing and revalidation.”Dr Canisius Kanangire, AATF’s Executive Director on his part, said, “the release of TELA Maize in Nigeria will contribute to food and nutrition security in line with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation agenda.” Professor Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) said the endorsement is a critical milestone that confirms the potential of biotechnology in ensuring food and nutrition security, and improved livelihood of farming households in Africa.
Nigeria Endorses Four Genetically Modified TELA Maize Varieties
