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Agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing 22.35% to the country’s GDP and providing livelihoods for 70% of the population. Despite its importance, the sector faces challenges in meeting local food demands and exporting products. With only 34 million hectares of arable land utilized, there is vast potential for growth.
Hence, the government must prioritize agriculture to increase national production value and turn Nigeria into a net exporter of crops like maize. As the third most widely consumed cereal crop globally after wheat and rice, maize is a staple food for over 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, including two-thirds of Nigeria’s population.
Nigeria currently produces 12.2 million tonnes of maize, but faces challenges like stem borers, fall army worms and drought, resulting in severe yield losses. The TELA Maize initiative offers a solution, with genetically engineered varieties that resist insect pests and tolerate drought, maximizing productivity. With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 263 million in 2030, 401 million in 2050, adopting advanced agricultural technologies like TELA Maize is crucial to meet food demands and drive economic growth.
The introduction of TELA maize is aimed at improving yield not solely to combat hunger, but equally as a source of raw materials for industries and to generate employment opportunities, grow the economy and contribute to improving the country’s GDP. Scientific evidence provided by the researchers at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna state who developed the TELA Maize show that the cultivation of hybrid varieties of maize launched in June, would reduce Nigeria’s importation of pesticides to manage Stem borers and fall army worms.
This is anticipated to save for the country at least USD256 Million annually which is equivalent to N 394 trillion annually, putting into account the fact that it costs at least 50 USD (N77,00.00) to protect one-hectare conventional Maize hybrids against Fall Army Worm and stem borers. Precisely, the four TELA hybrids anmely: SAMMAZ 72T; SAMMAZ 73T; SAMMAZ 74T; and SAMMAZ 75T have demonstrated outstanding characteristics, and with good agronomic practices, it has been touted to be the game changer in Nigeria’s quest to become food secure.
It’s disappointing to see some media outlets, particularly social media, spreading false information about TELA Maize, fueled by a misguided opposition to GM technology in Nigeria. These unfounded claims, including alleged health concerns, are not only misleading but also undermine the achievements of Nigerian scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and their partners. Instead of celebrating this scientific breakthrough, some individuals are peddling misinformation, potentially influenced by foreign agents.
It’s crucial to note that the regulatory body like the National Biosafety Management Agency, (NBMA) which is the focal competent authority on GM technology in Nigeria has thoroughly evaluated and approved the development and release of TELA Maize, ensuring its safety.
To address some misconceptions, it’s essential to clarify that TELA Maize does not employ Terminator technology. Rather, it utilizes genetic modification to introduce beneficial traits like drought tolerance and insect resistance. TELA Maize does not incorporate Genetic Use Restriction Technology (GURT), also known as Terminator technology. Let’s focus on facts and science, not misinformation and speculation. “Secondly, TELA maize is a hybrid, created through the crossing of carefully selected parent lines.
The reduced vigor observed in subsequent generations of hybrids is a natural outcome of genetic segregation, not a result of engineered sterility. It is also important to point out that the transgenic traits present in TELA maize, namely drought tolerance and insect resistance, are unrelated to seed viability. These traits are intended to enhance crop performance, rather than control reproduction.
Therefore, TELA maize seeds remain viable and can be replanted. It is worth mentioning that replanting may lead to reduced performance due to hybrid genetics, but the seeds themselves are not sterile. Meanwhile, TELA Maize is not the sole nor the first hybrid crop available in Nigeria.
Various other conventional seeds also possess hybrid traits, which farmers have been purchasing and cultivating. Examples include the Oba Super 1 and Oba Super 2, which are popular maize hybrids developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University. There is also the SAMMAZ series. Developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
These examples demonstrate that hybrid seeds are widely used in Nigeria to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, showing that hybridization is not exclusive to genetically modified crops alone. The TELA Maize Project was initiated as public- private partnership to ensure Africa grows and adopt drought and insect protected Maize varieties.
TELA Maize uses modern Biotechnology to breed transgenic varieties that confers resistance to major pests such as stem borers and Fall army worm and moderate drought tolerance. TELA Maize remains the future of Nigeria’s agriculture, as it is targeted at Small and Medium Scale farmers who need to uplift their socio-economic status to move from subsistence to higher income generation.
It will also boost productivity and substantially reduce Maize importation to conserve foreign exchange, as better productivity will also contribute to increase the country’s national food reserves providing a buffer against food shortages and enhancing national food security profile. TELA Maize will also result in the creation of more Agri-prenuers and other business opportunities for the country’s agriculture seed industry and expertise in grains for exports.
Wide spread and intensive cultivation of TELA Maize will also have public health benefits, as it would lead to reduced grain damage which predisposes the grains to Mycotoxins. TELA Maize cultivation will also reduce usage of pesticides and exposure to pesticides hazards by farmers Other Benefits includes preservation of beneficial insect populations, soil health, and overall ecosystem balance.
Written by Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA); editing by Hadiza Abdulrahman