Ibadan, Nigeria
May 12, 2009
Scientists working on maize
research have demonstrated the ability of local farmers to
double maize yield in Nigeria from 1.5 tons per hectare to 3
tons per hectare using improved seeds and agronomic practices.
Pastor O.A Adenola, President, Maize Association of Nigeria, in
an interview, says farmers in the project harvested about 3 tons
per hectare of maize.
“The good news is that doubling maize production in Nigeria is
practicable. The research also proved that we can be better
farmers and make more money if we use appropriate technologies,”
he says.
Scientists say results from the two and a half-year project,
which was funded by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture &
Rural Development and started in 2006 indicated that Nigeria can
double her current maize production of about 7 million tons to
14 million tons.
The research, which involved thousands of local farmers under
the auspices of the Maize Association of Nigeria, was a
collaborative work by a coalition of scientists at the
International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Institute of Agricultural
Research & Training (IAR&T), National Rice/Maize Center
-National Accelerated Food Production Program, Institute for
Agricultural Research, National Cereals Research Institute; the
National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services
(NAERLS).
Dr. Oyewole Ajala, IITA’s Maize Breeder and Project Leader, says
the research achieved the results after deploying maize
varieties that were tolerant of low nitrogen, drought, and
Striga.
“Other maize varieties given to farmers during the course of the
project were stemborer-resistant and early maturing varieties,”
he says.
During the research period, planting materials were distributed
to farmers based on the climatic conditions in the different
agroecological zones, while farmers were trained and encouraged
to optimize the use of inputs.
“The project established that Nigeria could double maize
production from 7.1 million tons to 14 million tons per annum if
our recommendations are implemented,” Ajala says.
Findings from the project support the need for the Nigerian
government to set aside money to mop up excess maize to avoid a
price crash in the future.
Ajala says, “A guaranteed minimum price to be set by the
government is required to keep farmers on the farm.”
Available data indicate that between 2006 and 2007, maize
varieties released by IITA and partners boosted production but
the absence of an effective mop-up mechanism led to price
fluctuations.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Nigeria’s
maize production during the period rose from 7.1 million tons in
2006 to 7.8 million tons in 2007.
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