Grace Semudara
After several years of continuous testing and revalidation using Biotechnology, the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the commercial release of transgenic insect resistant and drought tolerant maize varieties, known as TELA maize.
The approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) headed by Prof Olusoji Olufajo at its 33 rd meeting at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), in Oyo state.
Speaking on the approval, Dr Canisius Kanangire, AATF’s Executive Director, stated that the release of TELA Maize in Nigeria will contribute to food and nutrition security in line with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation agenda.
Dr Canisius reaffirmed AATF unwavering commitment to addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent.
Also Professor Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) 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.
Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) celebrated the release saying that, with the advent of TELA Maize, farmers will reduce the use of pesticides on maize to the bare minimum which is beneficial to humans, livestock, and environment. Dr Sylvester Oikeh, the TELA Maize Project Manager celebrated the decision by Nigeria by calling on other countries in Africa to act for farmers.
“I am encouraged by this decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria that reflects their commitment to the needs of farmers. I congratulate the scientists for their hard work and dedication that has seen the product getting closer to farmers and look forward to other countries making similar decisions for the good of the farmer’ he said.
Recall that 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 coordinated by AATF.
Currently, The TELA Maize Project is currently being implemented in 5 countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Prof. Ado Yusuf, Executive Director, IAR expressed satisfaction with the release of the new four maize varieties ,
” 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”.he stated
Other partners in the TELA Maize project include National Agricultural Research Institutes in Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and South Africa, International Maize, and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Bayer, with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID. About AATF
