Nigeria to save $283.2m annually by adopting TELA maize – Minister
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has said that the TELA Maize will save Nigeria from the annual Fall armyworm-induced losses exceeding $268 million and importation of maize worth $15.2m annually.
Chief Nnaji mentioned this during a working visit to the National Biotechnology Development Agency [NABDA] demonstration farms and other facilities in Abuja.
“TELA Maize is maize that is drought-tolerant and insect-resistant. It provides protection against drought, protection against stem borers, and significant protection against fall armyworms (FAW).
“This droughtresistant, resilient-on-pests, innovative maize species is indeed a game-changer. Beyond the reduced reliance on chemicals, the economic implications are profound. This innovation will counteract the annual
Fall armyworm-induced losses exceeding US$268m. It will also save Nigeria a significant foreign exchange in the importation of maize over 400,000 metric tons and $15.2m annually.
“I am here to see for myself the giant strides of the agency in cutting-edge biotechnology, which is a strong and vibrant tool of the 21st century,” the minister said.
Director General/CEO, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi, said more biotech crops are on the way, adding that NABDA was working with other institutions to fasttrack Nigeria’s Food Security Agenda.
“NABDA’s efforts and the gains of our farmers are making from commercially planting the two Biotech crop varieties (Bt Cotton with potential yield of 4.1 -4.4 tonnes /hectare as against 650-960kg of the local variety and Bt Cowpea with potential yield of 2.9-3 tonnes/hectare as against the local variety with 350 kg /hectare all developed by scientists at IAR, Zaria in partnership with NABDA, AATF Kenya, other national and international Collaborators),” he said.