What farmers should know about TELA Maize varieties

In the last three years, the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has released a number of maize varieties to address the growing challenges of production in the country. Earlier, the institute developed three drought-tolerant varieties (Drought TEGO): SAMMAZ 62, SAMMAZ 63 and SAMMAZ 68 that are well adapted to Nigeria’s growing […]

In the last three years, the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has released a number of maize varieties to address the growing challenges of production in the country.

Earlier, the institute developed three drought-tolerant varieties (Drought TEGO): SAMMAZ 62, SAMMAZ 63 and SAMMAZ 68 that are well adapted to Nigeria’s growing conditions and were released to farmers in 2020 and 2022 respectively. These maize varieties have the ability to thrive with little amount of rain or water.

The TELA Maize Project was started in 2019 in Nigeria with the aim of releasing maize varieties that are resistant to two destructive insect pests – fall army worm and stem-borers, as well as drought in maize.

The release and registration of the four transgenic TELA Maize varieties followed environmental release approval in October 2021 granted by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

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The four varieties approved by the NVRC are SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T and SAMMAZ 75T.

The approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF), headed by Prof Olusoji Olufajo at its 33rd meeting in the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan on January 11, 2024.

 Tela Maize

TELA Maize is the brand name for genetically modified (GM) maize hybrids developed by the TELA Maize Project. The hybrids have Bt genes that provide protection against stem-borer and helps the maize plant tolerate moderate drought.

These two genes have been integrated to new maize hybrids, which have been bred conventionally for drought tolerance and improved yield. There are two types of TELA Maize that will be produced – an insect resistant (Bt) TELA hybrid (MON 810) and a stacked Drought Tolerant and Insect Resistant (DT+Bt) TELA hybrid (MON87460 + MON810). The new transgenic hybrids will be made available to seed companies in Africa through a royalty-free license from AATF.

The TELA Maize Project builds on progress made from a decade of excellent breeding work under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project.

Yield potential

The new maize varieties have yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices with national average for similar hybrids at 6 tonnes per hectare.

The varieties, according to the release, are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas. Stem-borer reduces maize production in several countries in Africa, while fall armyworm can destroy up to 20 million metric tonnes of maize in Africa each year, enough to feed 100million people, according to the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

 How TELA Maize Project began

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation is coordinating the TELA Maize Project that includes national agricultural research systems in  seven African countries, including Nigeria,  Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda; the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) – an internationally funded, non-profit, scientific research, training and development organization, and Bayer Crop Science (Bayer), a private agricultural company. The project involved local institutions, both public and private.

In Nigeria, 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 the AATF.

How will farmers benefit from TELA Maize hybrids?                                         

Researchers said farmers’ maize crop would have better drought tolerance and protection against stem-borers, and partial but significant protection against FAW, leading to less cost and exposure to insecticides, improved yield and grain quality.

Professor Rabiu Adamu, the lead investigator, said the hybrids would also be more drought-tolerant. “The TELA Maize seed will reduce risks, improve yield and contribute to food security and better livelihood for farmers, consumers and the society,” he said.

 Licensing TELA Maize hybrids

According to the project leader, AATF, the foundation has been licensed in inbred lines, hybrids and traits developed by project partners for sub-licensing to qualified seed companies in Africa.

The AATF owns the licensing rights and has registered the TELA hybrid in South Africa and is leading the applications for the regulatory approvals for commercial release of the GM traits in the other project countries, including Nigeria.

How seed companies will be involved

The AATF as the sub-licensor has set up a review process to identify and decide the companies’ merit licensing based on standard criteria designed to be as inclusive as possible.

The Project will license seed companies to access the technology, royalty-free for them to produce and sell the seed brand to farmers at prevailing market prices.. The partnership helps build technical breeding and biotechnology capacity, as well as support effective seed systems in Africa.

The TELA Maize Project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Prof Ado Yusuf, the executive director, IAR, expressed satisfaction with the release of the new four maize varieties, saying, “The IAR is very proud of our scientists who are addressing the maize productivity challenges in the country and beyond.

“These varieties have undergone thorough research and have been developed using the tools of biotechnology over years of continuous testing and revalidation.”

Also speaking, Dr Canisius Kanangire, the executive director of the AATF said, “The release of TELA Maize in Nigeria will contribute to food and nutrition security in line with the federal government’s agricultural transformation agenda.”

The AATF reaffirms unwavering commitment to addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent.

Professor Garba Sharubutu, the executive secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), said the approval of the TELA Maize variety in Nigeria was a critical milestone that confirms the potential of biotechnology in ensuring food and nutrition security, and improved livelihood of farming households in Africa.

Prof Mustapha Abdullahi, the director-general, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), celebrated the release, saying that with the advent of TELA Maize, farmers will reduce the use of pesticides on maize, which is beneficial to humans, livestock and the environment.

Dr Sylvester Oikeh, the TELA Maize Project manager, celebrated the decision by Nigeria by calling on other countries in Africa to act for farmers.

“I am encouraged by this decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria that reflects their commitment to the needs of farmers,” he said.

He congratulated the scientists for hard work and dedication that has seen the product getting closer to farmers and look forward to other countries making similar decisions for the good of the farmer.

The AATF is an international not-for-profit organisation empowering smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa with a wide choice of agricultural innovations that contribute to food and nutrition security to generate health and wealth for their families and communities.