December 22, 2023
By Asikpo Ekpenyong,ABUJA
Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department of the National Biotechnology Development Agency(NABDA), said that TELA maize will profit farmers and leverage the importation of maize into the country.
Gidado said this in Abuja on Thursday while responding to questions from the press, after NABDA’s media conference and recap of activities of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB).
She expressed optimism that upon the release of TELA maize by the National Variety Release Committee in 2024, food insecurity would be mitigated.
The Director assured that the new maize variety was insect and drought tolerant, and with this, there would be increased yield.
“TELA maize is one of the crops that would be considered for varietal release.
“It’s a product of modern biotechnology, developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
“It’s a partnership project and we’re hoping that there’ll be good news after the meeting of the Varietal Release Committee next year, ” she said.
Gidado disclosed that even though the seeds might not get to the hands of farmers immediately after the release, since there are processes to be followed, but farmers would experience bumper harvest when they start planting.
She explained that multiplication and other processes twould have to be followed.
“I think first and foremost is adoption.
“Demonstration plots would be established in farmers field all over Nigeria in every state,” she said.
She hinted that some farmers would be given the seeds to plant alongside their conventional seeds, and for the purpose of adoption, the yield must be more than their own variety.
According to her, farming is all about having harvestible yield, that if the yield is strong, the farmer would be quick to adopt with no qualm.
“So, that’s what we are expecting, that it would impact upon their livelihood and once they have the yield, they’re going to have profit.
“When it’s profitable for them, ofcourse their livelihood will change, and that’s what we’re yearning for.
“First, for food security and for them to produce enough because there is deficit of maize production in Nigeria.
“The project is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency on food security,” Gidado said.
