TELA MAIZE MEDIA TOUR: SHOWCASING IAR’S COMMITMENT TO NIGERIA’S AGRICULTURAL GROWTH

TELA MAIZE MEDIA TOUR: SHOWCASING IAR’S COMMITMENT TO NIGERIA’S AGRICULTURAL GROWTH

• Training/Workshop
• December 02, 2024

The Executive Director Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Ado Yusuf has harped on the need for farmers to plant TELA maize because of the benefits they will derive. Prof Ado said this during a media tour to key media houses in Kaduna on Thursday 28 November 2024. He expressed the Institute’s determination to continually carry out research that will improve the livelihood of farmers and enhance food security in the country by introducing crop varieties that are climate smart and farmer friendly.

Represented by the Assistant Director Research Professor Lucius Bamaiyi, who led a team of scientists to enlighten the public on the eco-friendly technologies developed and released by the Institute for the overall progress of the Nigerian economy. He explained that IAR which has been in existence since 1922, has been working assiduously towards the progress of farmers in Nigeria.

"Whatever research the institute carries out, is with a view to improving the livelihood of farmers and Nigerians as a whole by ensuring food security in the country," he said.

He highlighted some key benefits of planting improved crop varieties released by the institute especially the transgenic maize to include, pest resistance, drought tolerance, improved economic livelihoods and assured food security.

He advised farmers to desist from over reliance on insecticides/pesticides sprays to control the damage of the pests to the crops due to health concerns, instead should adopt the use of insect resistant varieties that have been released by the institute to save cost.

He allayed the fears of Nigerians over controversies on GM crops assuring that the institute would not partner with anything that will be detrimental to farmers and efforts by government to enhance food security in the country.

The Director said that farmers in the country have been advised to embrace biotechnology for improved yields, while consumers are advised not to be afraid of genetically modified (GM) crops because they are not harmful.

The ED was accompanied by Prof. Rabiu Adamu, Coordinator TELA Maize Project, Prof. Muhyideen Oyekunle a maize breeder, Dr. Maimuna Abdulmalik a biotechnology expert and Mr Yakubu Dodo head of Publications and information.

The media tour included New Nigerian Newspapers headquarters office in Kaduna, Liberty Radio and Television Kaduna and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kaduna zonal centre.

#IAR technologies #TELAmaize #improvingfarmerslivelihoods# Agric innovation