The government of Nigeria has granted
environmental approval for evaluation and
open cultivation of TELA Maize, a new maize
variety developed by researchers at the
Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, that resists fall
armyworm, stem borers, and tolerate
moderate drought.
The government’s decision was contained in a
certificate issued to IAR by the National
Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the
federal government agency mandated to
regulate genetically modified products in the
country.
The Certificate dated October 8, 2021, with
permit code no. NBMA/CM/003, was issued to
IAR for General\Commercial Release of TELA
Maize Genetically Modified for Drought
Tolerance, Resistance to Stem Borer and Fall
Armyworm. It comes into effect from
October 8, 2021, to October 5, 2024.
A decision document accompanying the
certificate from NBMA said that in arriving at
the decision to grant the permit, the agency
took into consideration the advice of the
National Biosafety Committee, the National
Biosafety Technical Sub-Committee, and the
risk management report provided by the
applicant.
“The Agency was convinced that there are no
known adverse impacts to the conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity, taking
into account risk to human health. The
permit, pursuant to this decision, is without
prejudice to other extant legal requirements.
“This permit authorises the permit holder
and persons covered by the permit to
commercialise the TELA Maize genetically
modified for drought tolerance and insect
resistance,” the decision document from the
NBMA stated.
Reacting to the decision, Professor Ishiyaku
Mohammed, Executive Director, IAR, said It
is really inspiring for IAR to secure NBMA
approval for the commercial release of the
drought-tolerant and insect-resistant Maize
(TELA MAIZE).
“This goes to further highlight IAR’s capacity
and commitment to providing effective
solutions to agricultural problems facing our
farmers and optimizing food security for
Nigerians. The approval will open the way to
combating the devastating effects of both
drought and insect pests through the
deployment of this new variety of maize into
our farming system.
“The next step is to further evaluate the
performance of this new variety by farmers
on their fields in all the major maize growing
belts in Nigeria. Thereafter we shall seek
another approval by the National variety
release committee before making the seeds
commercially available for farmers to plant in
the 2023 cropping season.
Canisius Kanangire, AATF Executive Director,
said the approval has shown that Nigeria is
really the giant leading the way in Africa and
ensuring that smallholder farmers benefit
from life-changing technologies that have
transformed farming in other parts of the
globe.
“The approval by the government of Nigeria
is a sign that we are making good progress
especially in our quest to expand the options
for smallholder farmers on the continent to
profit from their labour by using affordable
technologies that enhance productivity and
reduce incidents of insect pests’ infestation.
“TELA Maize is coming at a time when
farmers are spending so much to reduce
insect and pest attacks as well as battling with
the issue of drought. With TELA Maize,
farmers in Nigeria will have relief from
frequent constant chemical sprays which
affect their health. The saving from chemical
use can be converted to address other family
needs,” Mr. Kanangire added.
Sylvester Oikeh, AATF TELA Maize Project
Manager, said this is the beginning of a new
era for maize farmers in Nigeria who have
suffered greatly from the twin problem of
drought and devastating insect pests
occasioned by climate change. The resources
and time spent in protecting maize against
insect pests will be used for other operations.
The maize produced will provide healthier
grains for farmers and consumers alike.
Rabiu Adamu, the TELA Maize Principal
Investigator, said with the deregulation, the
institute is now permitted to conduct
multilocation trials to evaluate the yield and
adaptability of the TELA hybrids across the
different agro-ecologies in Nigeria.
“The highest yielding hybrids exhibiting
tolerance to drought and resistance to stem
borer and fall armyworm will be released to
farmers for cultivation. We hope to register
some of the outstanding hybrids to
commercialize through Nigerian seed
companies for farmers to grow in the 2023
rainy season.
Prof. Adamu added that: “The deregulation
will fast-track our work to achieve the
mission of the project to avail farmers with
transgenic maize to solve the challenges of
drought, stem borer, and fall armyworm.
TELA Maize Project in Nigeria is part of an
international Consortium coordinated by
AATF, involving Bayer, International Maize
and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT),
and the National Agricultural Research
Systems of seven countries including
Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South
Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda since 2018. The
Project builds on gains from a decade of
excellent breeding work to develop
conventional climate-smart drought-tolerant
maize known as DroughtTEGO varieties.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/489187-nigeria-grants-approval-for-genetically-modified-maize.html

More poison for us

GMO that a dangerous to the body especially the genetically modified corn.


O Lord my Father, please take me out of this country to the 'abroad' I ask in Jesus name amen