Food insecurity: Researchers seek public support for new maize variety

Researchers from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria are seeking public support for a new maize variety that has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on maize imports and address the nation’s food insecurity. They spoke yesterday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Media Trust Group, […]

Researchers from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria are seeking public support for a new maize variety that has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on maize imports and address the nation’s food insecurity.

They spoke yesterday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust, Weekend Trust, Teen Trust, Digital Trust, Aminiya, Trust TV and Trust Radio.

The Deputy Director, Prof. Nafiu Abdu, who represented the executive director of the institute, Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, said the new maize variety was important because it could tackle critical agricultural challenges and improve the productivity of farmers.

“The maize variety is genetically modified to resist fall armyworm, a pest that has devastated maize production globally; farmers can lose up to 100 per cent of their crops if there is an infestation.

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“Last year, even the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Council of Nigeria lost more than 50 per cent of his farm to this pest. With this variety, we can protect our farmers from such massive losses,” he explained.

He said, “Nigeria currently spends billions of naira annually on maize imports. We have the capacity to bridge the gap internally. This variety will enhance productivity and contribute to addressing food insecurity in the country.”

Despite its potential, Prof, Nafiu revealed that the maize variety has faced oppostion from groups campaigning against GMOs, many of whom, he said, lacked expertise in agriculture.

“There are anti-groups campaigning seriously against this innovation. Most of them are not key players in the agricultural sector and have little understanding of its importance,” he said.

During the meeting, Daily Trust’s Editor-in-Chief, Hamza Idris, assured the researchers of the newspaper’s commitment to balanced reporting on the subject.

“Our approach in the newsroom is to interrogate and project initiatives like yours,” he said.