The Federal Government has approved new maize seed varieties to enhance agricultural productivity across different regions in Nigeria.
According to a statement, the new maize seed varieties which were developed by Nigerian crop scientists are drought-tolerant, resistant to pests and can yield up to ten tonnes per hectare.
The approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries.
“The new maize varieties are drought tolerant and are resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworm, resulting in yield advantage of up to ten tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices,” the statement read.
The committee added that the national average for similar hybrids is six tonnes per hectare.
The varieties are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea and Sudan Savannas.
It said the release and registration of the four varieties became possible after the environmental release approval in October 2021 granted by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
The development of the improved varieties was led by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria through the TELA Maize Public-Private Partnership coordinated by AATF.