Agriculture
FG Commercialises Armyworm, Stem-Borer Resistance …Introduces Maize Varieties
The Federal Government has approved for commercialisation, a transgenic insect resistant and drought tolerant maize varieties, known as TELA maize.
The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF), headed by Professor Olusoji Olufajo at its 33rd meeting held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, granted the approval.
The four varieties approved by the NVRC are: SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T and SAMMAZ 75T.
The new maize varieties, which is 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 six tonnes per hectare. The varieties are suitable for rain forest, guinea, and sudan savannas.
Stem-borer attacks maize on the farm, reduces production in several countries in Africa, while fall armyworm is capable of destroying up to 20 million metric tonnes of maize in Africa each year, enough to feed 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.
The TELA Maize Project is currently being implemented in five countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa.
The Executive Director IAR, Professor Ado Yusuf, who expressed satisfaction with the release of the 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”.
AATF’s Executive Director, Dr Canisius Kanangire, 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. AATF reaffirms unwavering commitment to addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent”.
The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu, said the approval of the TELA Maize variety in Nigeria is a critical milestone that confirms the potential of biotechnology in ensuring food and nutrition security and improved livelihood of farming households in Africa.
Also, Professor Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), celebrated the release saying, “with the advent of TELA Maize, farmers will reduce the use of pesticides on maize to the barest minimum which is beneficial to humans, livestock, and environment”.
The TELA Maize Project Manager, Dr Sylvester Oikeh, celebrated the decision by Nigeria and called on other countries in Africa to act for farmers.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.