The Principal Investigator, TELA Maize, in the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Rabiu Adamu, has said that Nigeria requires about 18 million metric tonnes of maize annually.
According to him, the country is currently producing about 3.6 million metric tonnes against its annual national demand, stressing that the maize remain an important cereal crop in Nigeria.
Professor Rabiu Adamu, who spoke at the TELA Maize Field Day, organized by IAR, in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Zaria, Kaduna State, said that the adoption of high-yielding varieties is essential to closing the production and consumption gap facing the country.
He said that TELA maize has certain attributes, including high yield, improved nutrition, drought tolerance, and resistance to stem borer and fall armyworm, making it suitable for Nigerian farmers across different production environments.
“TELA maize can produce up to nine tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices, including timely planting, effective weed control and adequate fertiliser application.”
Professor Rabiu Adamu said that some farmers had already harvested about seven tonnes per hectare, equivalent to approximately 70 bags of 100 kilogrammes, under favourable production conditions and good agronomic practices.
He said that research and development on TELA maize commenced at IAR in 2019, while the Federal Government released SAMMAZ 72, SAMMAZ 73 and SAMMAZ 74 varieties to farmers in 2024.
The AATF Programme Manager, Nigeria, Yarama Ndirpaya, said that IAR is a focal partner of the foundation and that both organisations have jointly developed technologies positively impacting farmers across the country.
He said that TELA maize is one of the technologies developed through the partnership, adding that its performance has been remarkable across Nigeria and in other locations where farmers cultivate it.
The programme manager said that the field day was organised to demonstrate that TELA maize was safe for consumption, contrary to some misconceptions about genetically improved agricultural technologies and food products.
Earlier, Professor Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, ABU, had said that the event was intended to demonstrate that “TELA maize is safe for consumption, in addition to its resilience and other desirable agronomic attributes for farmers.
Professor Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Professor Aliyu Rafin-Dadi, said that the participants are served several products prepared from TELA maize during the practical demonstration and field event.
“We ate roasted and boiled maize, swallow and masa, among other products, underscoring the essence of the event, which was to dispel rumours and misconceptions surrounding TELA maize.”
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, Chairman, said that TELA maize had helped farmers reduce production costs, while improving maize farming efficiency and farm profitability.
He said that the collaboration between IAR and AATF in developing the variety would strengthen maize production, improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute significantly to national food security and national development.
He said that TELA maize was increasingly demanded by farmers in Kaduna and neighbouring states because of its productivity, resilience and other beneficial characteristics, which were encouraging wider adoption among smallholder farmers.
