Minister Urges Stakeholders to Embrace Newly Released Crop Varieties

The Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji has called on all stakeholders, including farmers, extension workers, and private sector partners, to embrace the newly released transgenic crop varieties in order to achieve a more prosperous, sustainable, and food-secure future for Nigeria.

The Minister made the call in Abuja at the headquarters of the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA following the approval of the commercial release and open cultivation of the TELA Maize variety, along with other high-yielding crop varieties at the 33rd meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries.

Nnaji said that the benefits of the release are far-reaching, promising increased crop yields, enhanced resilience to pests and diseases, as well as reduced environmental impact and improved nutritional content.

“It is important to note that this release is just a glimpse of the transformative potential at our disposal” he said.

The Minister revealed that NABDA, in collaboration with various stakeholders and foreign collaborators, is actively pursuing the release of several other crops.

“Let me seize this medium to register our profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his well-articulated roadmap for innovation, science, and technological development. Mr. President’s salutary commitment to turning innovation into an engine of growth is a source of inspiration to us at the Ministry and in the various parastatals under my auspices.  

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated and innovative scientists, researchers, experts, institutions, and foreign collaborators who have contributed to the development and release of these transgenic crop varieties.” He said.

In order to attain the food sufficiency that Nigeria seeks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye urged Nigerians to make it a responsibility on themselves to plant the specie of the maize variety in their backyards.

“Agriculture is business now, so we should also think of exporting our skills and our research products.

“With the African free trade agreement, we can be exporting this to other countries. “She said.

The Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA Prof Abdullahi Mustapha while answering questions from Journalists said that the Tela Maize variety is expected to gain massive support from local farmers just as the previously released BT Cowpeas gain the support of farmers as a result of its high yield and draught resistance.

“Right from day one, stakeholders have been following up the variety release committee. Since then, my phone has been ringing. They have been asking about how they can access the seed. This alone has shown the level of acceptability of the crop.”

Prof. Abdullahi revealed that by March, before the planting season, the farmers would have access to the seed.

“The yield of the maize is up to 20 tons per hectare, so farmers are anxious to receive this seed, which shows the level of its acceptance. It will go a long way to reduce hunger, create job opportunities, and increase the GDP.” He said.

The DG added that NABDA will not renege in its commitment to utilizing biotechnology to tackle the diverse socioeconomic challenges that impede sustainable national development.

The acting Director Human Resource Management of NABDA, Mr Olusegun adeyemi said that the Tela maize is a major milestone in terms of meeting the Federal government aspiration in the area of food security and economic empowerment of the people.

Shakirat Sadiq