Nigerian Government Approves Transgenic Tela Maize for Open Cultivation

In a significant move to boost agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially approved the commercial release and open cultivation of transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize variety, known as TELA Maize.

The announcement was made by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The approval of the TELA Maize is a remarkable step towards enhancing agricultural productivity to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria.

The transgenic variety is genetically modified to tolerate moderate drought and resist the fall armyworm and stem borer, which are major threats to maize production in the country.

The TELA Maize Project is a public-private partnership led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), working towards the commercialization of transgenic drought-tolerant and insect-protected (TELA®) maize varieties to enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria is the second African country after South Africa to approve the commercialization of the transgenic maize variety.

The approval of the TELA Maize has been met with optimism by experts in the agricultural sector. They believe that the new variety will bring substantial benefits and transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

It is estimated that Nigeria could save over USD 600 million annually on insecticide imports alone if just 10% of Nigerian farmers adopt the TELA Maize after commercialization.

The Nigerian government’s decision to approve the transgenic Tela maize for open cultivation is a significant step towards ensuring food security and improving the livelihood of farmers in the country.

With the potential to increase yields and reduce the use of harmful insecticides, the Tela maize could play a crucial role in Nigeria’s agricultural development.