GM modified maize seeds boosts production in Nigeria

As a result of unpredictable weather conditions, experts always underscore the need for farmers to plant crops that could adapt to varying weather conditions. They also advocate the adoption of genetically modified crops that are resistant to drought, flood and pest. The adoption of genetically modified crops may not, however, be feasible now, as President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to sign the Biosafety Bill into law. Nevertheless, there is some cheering news for maize farmers, as the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, has developed some drought-tolerant maize varieties that are capable of maturing early. Released in August 2013, the maize varieties are tolerant to Striga, a parasitic weed that constrains the productivity of staple crops such as maize, sorghum, millet and upland rice in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of the new varieties is a great relief to farmers, as IITA records indicate that Striga infests about 40 million hectares of smallholder farms in the country, causing yield loss of between 20 per cent and 80 per cent. "These varieties are hybrid varieties that can grow across environments ravaged by drought, striga and low soil-nitrogen in the country," Dr Sylvestro Meseka, a plant breeder with the IITA, said. He said that the varieties had been tested in Nigeria in partnership with five research agencies. The agencies are Institute of Agricultural Research and Training; Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Ilorin; University of Maiduguri, and National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology. "Ife Maizehyb-5 and Ife Maizehyb-6 have the potential yield of 6 tonnes and 5.5 tonnes per hectare respectively, compared with local varieties that yield about 1.5 tonnes per hectare," Meseka said. Dr Baffour Badu-Apraku, a member of the team that developed the varieties, said that the hybrid varieties were developed to meet the needs of seeds companies and farmers in West and Central Africa. He said that seeds companies and farmers in those regions had been asking for stress-tolerant, extra-early maturing hybrids that would reduce the instability of maize yield, especially in the savanna. "The hybrids would contribute to a significant reduction in the instability of maize yields in Nigeria as well as in other countries of West and Central Africa, including Ghana, Mali, and Benin," Badu-Apraku said. With the ability to thrive under conditions engendered by adequate rainfall, drought, Striga or witchweed, these maize varieties hold the key to bountiful harvest by maize farmers. Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulahi, a Sokoto-based farmer, who is one of the beneficiaries of the new IITA maize varieties, attested to increased yields of the maize species. He said that although the year had been a good one in terms of harvest; the harvest from his maize farm was the most bountiful. "I am happy that whereas I harvested 70 bags of maize in 2012; in 2013, I am expecting to harvest about 100 bags," Abdullahi said in November 2013. "The maize plants, right from germination to full maturity, were green and very healthy; I did not bother myself about rain or witchweed. "Now, that I am ready for harvest and I am sure that I would get more yield this year than that of last year; when you look at the farm, you will see it; it is quite obvious.