Agricultural experts and stakeholders in Nigeria have emphasized the importance of adopting improved and certified hybrid seeds to boost crop yields and strengthen the country's drive towards food security. The experts made this call during a field demonstration of TELA hybrid maize in Kaduna, where farmers and stakeholders were exposed to the benefits of improved seed varieties and modern agronomic practices. They noted that quality seeds, combined with proper farm management and technical support, can significantly improve productivity across the agricultural value chain.
The Managing Director of EcoBasic Seed, Temidayo Owoeye, highlighted the critical role of seed quality in determining crop performance. He stated that farmers can substantially improve their harvests by using quality hybrid seeds and adopting appropriate agronomic practices. Owoeye emphasized that the benefits of improved planting materials should be viewed as part of a broader agricultural production system, rather than in isolation. He also urged policymakers to sustain investments in agriculture, citing its potential to address unemployment and create economic opportunities for Nigeria's growing youth population.
The field demonstration showcased the performance of TELA maize, a genetically modified maize technology developed with traits to provide protection against fall armyworm and improve drought tolerance. Participants were taken through the crop's development and performance, with emphasis on the importance of using certified seeds and applying recommended agronomic practices. Owoeye assured farmers and consumers of the safety of the genetically modified seed, while urging stakeholders to rely on scientific research and regulatory processes in assessing improved agricultural technologies.
The call for greater adoption of hybrid seeds comes amid broader efforts to increase agricultural productivity in Nigeria, where farmers face challenges such as climate variability, pests, high input costs, and limited access to improved technologies. Agricultural technology advocates argue that Nigeria's large agricultural landmass should not mask the need for higher productivity per hectare. Demonstration farms and farmer training are being used to allow growers to assess the performance of improved varieties under local conditions before adopting them.
Experts at the Kaduna event encouraged farmers to move away from dependence on low-yielding or uncertified planting materials and adopt seeds that have been tested and approved for agricultural production. They stressed that improved seeds alone do not guarantee higher harvests, and that farmers also need to adopt recommended agronomic practices such as land preparation, fertilizer application, pest and disease management, and timely planting. These practices are crucial for maximizing the potential of improved seeds.
A member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Haruna Barnabas, pledged to support farmer-friendly legislation and initiatives that would make agriculture more attractive to younger Nigerians. He commended the administration of Governor Uba Sani for providing farm inputs and implements to farmers in the state, saying sustained support for agricultural production can improve productivity and strengthen the earnings of farmers and other participants in the value chain.
The Commercial Manager of EcoBasic Seed West Africa, Moses Atewogboye, urged farmers to embrace certified quality seeds and apply the knowledge acquired during the demonstration to improve their farm productivity. He stressed the importance of strengthening relationships between seed companies, farmers, researchers, extension workers, and regulators to ensure that farmers have access to improved seeds and the knowledge required to use them effectively.
Key points
- Experts promote hybrid seeds to boost crop yields and improve food security in Nigeria.
- TELA maize, a genetically modified maize technology, offers improved traits such as drought tolerance and pest resistance.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for sustained investments in agriculture to address unemployment and create economic opportunities for Nigeria's growing youth population.
