Dr. Sylvester Oikeh is the TELA maize Project Manager, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), in this interview, he explained how the organisation is targeting to boost food production and reduce imports in Africa with continuous use of improved technology on food crops.
What prompted the visit by the team of breeders to Nigeria?
We brought in a team of breeders who developed TELA maize and the WEMA hybrid to evaluate their performance in the field. This evaluation allows breeders to gather feedback from farmers, so they can improve the varieties based on their needs. It also helps the seed system team understand how much seed farmers will need for future planting, ensuring we can prepare and meet their demands.
Could you explain on what makes the TELA maize different from other maize varieties?
TELA maize varieties have been in development since 2008. Initially, we developed it as a drought-tolerant variety, which we called Drought Tego. Over time, we improved it by adding insect protection traits, especially against pests like the Fall Army Worm (FAW), which is a major problem in Africa. This means that TELA maize not only performs well under drought conditions, but also protects itself from pests, reducing the need for farmers to spray chemicals, which is both expensive and hazardous to their health, unlike the conventional maize varieties which doesn’t have resistance over drought and pests.
What feedback have you received from farmers who have used TELA maize in Nigeria?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For instance, when we visited farmers in Minna, Niger State, they shared how their local maize varieties were badly affected by drought and pests, but TELA maize performed much better. They were grateful that it protected against FAW, leading to higher yields without the need for excessive spraying. Farmers in Nigeria are celebrating TELA maize because it saves them money and labour while giving them better results.
There have been concerns from some quarters about the safety of TELA maize, with rumors claiming it causes health issues. How do you respond to these concerns?
These concerns are unfounded and based on myths. Some people have claimed that eating TELA maize can cause sterility, but that’s simply not true. TELA products have been used in South Africa since 2016, and there’s no evidence to support such claims. If these products were harmful, countries like South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and the USA would have stopped using them. I want to assure Nigerians that this technology is safe for humans, livestock, and the environment. As a Nigerian, I would never promote a product that would harm my people.
How has the TELA maize project shaped agronomic practices among farmers?
TELA maize has introduced a more resilient and efficient way of farming maize. Farmers are seeing the benefits of using this technology, especially in areas prone to drought and pest infestations. In Minna, for example, farmers showed us how their local varieties were devastated by drought, while TELA maize continued to thrive. This technology is reducing the need for pesticides and giving farmers higher yields. The key now is ensuring more farmers have access to the seeds, which is our biggest challenge.
Speaking of access to seeds, how do you plan to scale up local seed production in Nigeria?
This year, we have 51 tons of seed available, mostly for promotional purposes. By next year, we hope to increase that to 400 tons, and within four years, we plan to reach 11,000 tons of locally produced maize seed. It’s a gradual process, as this is new technology, but we’re training people and working with seed companies to scale up production. Over time, as local production increases, we’ll reduce importation until we can meet Nigeria’s full demand.
How significant will TELA maize be in contributing to Nigeria’s maize supply?
Right now, TELA maize is a small portion of Nigeria’s overall maize production, which stands at around 6 million hectares. However, as we scale up seed production, the impact will grow. It will take time, but we are working hard to ensure that more farmers can access this technology and benefit from its higher yields and resilience to drought and pests. We are excited about the future of TELA maize and look forward to seeing even more farmers benefit from this technology.