As part of its plans to achieve food security through boosting farmers’ production, the Federal Government on Tuesday, launched varieties of the newly released transgenic maize variety called Tela.
This maize variety which is genetically modified is drought tolerant, fall armyworm pest resistant and can triple its yield from 2 to 3 tons per hectare by the conventional variety to about 9 to 10 tons per hectare.
This maize variety was developed at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners.
Launching the maize in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the government will only do things that will promote the welfare, health and security of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the yield potentials of the new maize variety, stating that it is part of the agenda of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that there is enough food for Nigerians.
“For us, what is important is for Nigerians to know that as a government, we will do only those things that will promote their welfare and security and we will not venture into anything that will be detrimental to both the security, safety and health of our citizens.
“It is significant for us to realize that the technology we are talking about today is Nigeria-driven, and whatever concerns that Nigerians are expressing is not unfounded, there is no technology that has come anew and does not receive pushback, it is normal.
“The issue with Tela Maize is that it is high yielding, which means the present yield farmers are getting will be more than double what the principal investigator has said.”
The Minister noted that the new maize variety has been developed to resist the fall armyworm which destroys almost 100 per cent of maize planted in the field.
“So, I think that explains why we went into this research so that we are able to guarantee sustainable production of maize year on year on,” the Minister said.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Dr. Canisius Kanangire while commending the Nigerian government for their support in the project, said under the TELA Maize Project, the Federal Government facilitated the operational environment for key Ministries and departments to work together and collaborate towards attainment of their mandates.
“We witnessed government bodies working with institutions such as AATF and the private sector for the good of the country. We continue to witness, as is obvious today at this launch, the joint ownership of initiatives such as TELA Maize. We all take pride in what has been achieved.
“This launch also highlights the importance of technology and innovation in our development agendas. The use of biotechnology in agriculture holds great potential towards making a difference in our communities.
“By promoting policies that support agricultural innovation, the Federal Government of Nigeria helped create an enabling environment for the development and use of genetically modified crops that are safe, productive, and beneficial to smallholder farmers and the environment,” he said.
Kanangire said with their resistance to pests and tolerance to drought, TELA Maize varieties will boost maize yields, providing more food and income for farmers in Nigeria.
These varieties, according to him, will also reduce pesticide use which will lower the overall cost of maize production, making farming more profitable and sustainable.
“Today’s launch is not just about introducing new maize varieties. It heralds a new era for agricultural innovation and resilience in Nigeria and Africa” the AATF ED noted.
Also, the Executive Director of IAR, Professor Ado Adamu Yusuf said as a research institute, the Institute is doing everything possible to support the government’s efforts through research that is people and environment-friendly by adhering strictly to the protocol for such research mandate.
He said the Tela Maize variety will not only save Nigerian farmers the cost of production through the reduction in chemical insecticide sprays by up to 2 billion Naira annually but also ensure sustainable food security in the country and across the West African sub-region.
He said that the new maize varieties offer 3 in 1 protection to maize which includes drought tolerance, resistance to fall armyworm, and resistance to stemborer insect pests.
“This triple protection assures the farmer of yield advantage and reduces the use of chemical pesticides, saving farmers money and reducing the environmental and health hazards associated with the use of these pesticides,” Professor Yusuf explained.
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