Maize researchers last week presented a blueprint on doubling maize production to the Nigerian government. The blueprint, which contained empirical facts and recommendations, proved that the oil-rich nation could double maize production and called for the strengthening of the country’s seed system to tackle the challenges of a food crisis.
“The government should take the recommendations seriously because if implemented and sustained, they would bring solutions to the food crisis especially as it concerns maize production,” says Prof MA Fakorede, a maize researcher at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
In Nigeria, maize is among the most important crops, but poor seed supply, inefficient marketing system, and low investment in research are among the factors that have limited production. Current production is about 8 million tons but the research, which involved more than 1000 farmers, raised yield per hectare to about 4.2 tons from 1.5 tons, suggesting that national production could hit 20 million tons if the recommendations are scaled-up.
Dr Oyewole Ajala, Team Leader and IITA Maize Breeder, appealed for government support for the seed sector to overcome the limitation poised by poor seed supply to farmers. “Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa that has viable private seed companies and they need support and backstopping to consistently supply quality seeds to farmers,” he says.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, Honorable Fidelia Njeze, lauded the research team for its efforts. According to her, apart from ensuring food security, the research is in line with the federal government’s seven-point agenda.
The Doubling Maize in Nigeria project began in 2006 and was funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development. Partners included IITA, the 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 University of Ilorin and the National Agricultural Extension & Research Liaison Services (NAERLS).
The team deployed several improved maize varieties that were drought-tolerant, low nitrogen-tolerant, Striga-tolerant, stemborer-resistant and early maturing to address the challenge faced by resource-poor farmers in maize production. Other recommendations made by the researchers included calls for maintenance of government buy-back policy, extensive field management training of extension, seed company and staff of other agencies engaged in maize promotion, scaling-up of promising production technologies, generation of accurate data through appropriate data mining and actual generation, investment in production and promotion of labour saving tools, and continued investment in postharvest research.
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Dr Oyewole Ajala, o.ajala@cgiar.org
Sélectionneur de maïs
IITA-Ibadan
Jeffrey T. Oliver, o.jeffrey@cgiar.org
Chargé de communication d'entreprise (international)
Godwin Atser, g.atser@cgiar.org
Chargé de la communication d'entreprise (Afrique de l'Ouest)
Bureau de la communication
IITA – Siège
Ibadan, Nigéria
URL : www.iita.org
À propos de l'IITA
L'Afrique est confrontée à des problèmes complexes qui minent l'agriculture et la vie des populations. Nous développons des solutions agricoles avec nos partenaires pour lutter contre la faim et la pauvreté. Notre recherche pour le développement (R4D), maintes fois récompensée, repose sur une réflexion ciblée et autorisée, ancrée dans les besoins de développement de l'Afrique subsaharienne. Nous travaillons avec des partenaires en Afrique et au-delà pour réduire les risques pour les producteurs et les consommateurs, améliorer la qualité et la productivité des cultures, et générer de la richesse grâce à l'agriculture. L'IITA est une organisation internationale de recherche pour le développement sans but lucratif, créée en 1967, dirigée par un Conseil d'administration et soutenue principalement par le CGIAR.
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