IAR, ABU Zaria Commences 2026 BMSS Pre-Season Training for Farmers, Extension Agents and Technicians

IAR, ABU Zaria Commences 2026 BMSS Pre-Season Training for Farmers, Extension Agents and Technicians

Training/Workshop
May 14, 2026

The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and the BMSS Project, has successfully commenced the 2026 Pre-Season Training for Farmers, Extension Agents and Technicians aimed at strengthening maize production and improving sustainable agricultural practices across Nigeria.

The two-day training programme, which began on Tuesday, 12th May 2026, brought together participants from different states across the country, including farmers, researchers, extension agents, and technicians, all committed to improving maize productivity through modern agronomic practices and effective pest management strategies.

The programme commenced with opening prayers and self-introductions, creating an avenue for participants to interact, exchange experiences, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in the maize value chain.

In his welcome remarks, the BMSS Principal Investigator, Prof. R. S. Adamu, expressed appreciation for the impressive turnout despite the short notice given before the programme. He emphasized that the training was carefully designed to strengthen maize cultivation, particularly in Northern Nigeria, through improved agronomic practices, proper management of insect pests and diseases, and effective Tela Maize stewardship practices.

The Executive Director of IAR, Prof. Ado Yusuf, represented by the Assistant Director Research, Prof. L. J. Bamaiyi, described the training as timely and strategic, especially as farmers and agricultural stakeholders prepare for the 2026 cropping season. He encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and take advantage of the opportunity to acquire practical and scientific knowledge capable of improving crop establishment and yield.

The meeting featured several technical presentations delivered by prominent scientists and experts in the field of maize production and crop management.

Prof. A. I. Sharifai delivered a presentation on “Good Agronomic Practices for Improved Maize Productivity,” where participants were taken through important practices such as land preparation, seed selection, planting methods, fertilizer application, weed management, and general crop management strategies necessary for successful maize production.

This was followed by a presentation by Prof. M. Oyekunle on “Management of On-Station and On-Farm Trials: Key Expectations.” He highlighted the importance of proper field trial management and accurate data collection in generating reliable research results and informed agricultural decisions.

Prof. R. S. Adamu also presented on “Management of Key Insect Pests and Diseases of Maize,” where participants were educated on the identification, prevention, and management of major pests and diseases affecting maize production.

Another important session was delivered by Prof. M. M. Abdulmalik, who spoke on “Drought and Its Effects on Maize Productivity.” The presentation focused on the impact of drought stress on maize growth and practical strategies farmers can adopt to minimize yield losses under changing climatic conditions.

Participants were further exposed to the processes involved in hybrid maize seed production through a presentation by Dr. H. Abubakar on “Maize Hybrid Production.”

The final technical presentation of the day was delivered by Dr. M. S. Usman on “Insect Pest Resistance Management in Tela Maize Stewardship.” The session emphasized the importance of proper stewardship practices, monitoring of pest populations, and sustainable management strategies to maintain the effectiveness of insect-resistant Tela Maize technology.

A major highlight of the training was the highly interactive question-and-answer session, where participants raised practical questions and shared field experiences. The discussions provided valuable clarifications and reinforced the importance of adhering to sound research principles, effective monitoring practices, proper seed storage, pest surveillance, and accurate data collection.

The first day of the training ended successfully, with participants expressing satisfaction with the quality of the presentations and the knowledge gained from the sessions.

The programme is expected to continue with practical field sessions and visits to Tela Maize demonstration plots, where participants will gain hands-on experience to complement the classroom-based discussions.

At IAR, we remain committed to strengthening agricultural productivity through research, innovation, capacity building, and sustainable technology dissemination.