Transgenic Maize Trials Show Outstanding Results in Nigeria

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) reported that data from the third confined field trial of transgenic drought tolerant and insect resistant maize show outstanding results.

The transgenic maize called Tela is derived from the Latin word ‘tutela' which means 'protection'. The field trials, which are being conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research in Nigeria, showed that the Tela maize varieties produce 9 tons per hectare, which is way above the best producing maize variety in the country that yields three tons per hectare. With this high yield potential, the Tela maize variety is best suited to help bridge the gap between the maize demand and supply, which is at a 6 million metric tons deficit, according to IAR Executive Director, Prof. Mohammad Ishiyaku.

"The savings farmers will make from this maize variety is estimated to be over 3 billion nairas from insecticide spray of 500 hectares land and over 6 billion nairas from drought effects," he added.

AATF develops Tela maize through an international collaboration coordinated by AATF with national agricultural research systems in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda; the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Bayer Crop Science.

Read more from AATF.