Nigeria begins national performance trials for GM maize

By Joseph Maina Nigeria is set to begin national performance trials (NPT) for genetically modified (GM) TELA maize as the West African nation makes another leap towards greater pest-resistance and productivity, particularly for small-scale farmers. It is anticipated that TELA maize will help smallholders in Africa spend less money on insecticides and minimize their exposure to the chemicals, while benefiting from higher yields and better grain quality. The seeds are available royalty-free to farmers. The successful conclusion of the NPTs will pave way for further evaluation by the National Varieties Release Committee before the seeds are made commercially available for farmers to plant in the 2023 season. Nigeria’s NPTs will involve 180 randomly selected farmers drawn from various agro-ecologies in 10 states across the country. The trials aim to demonstrate the efficacy of the technology and show the adaptability of the variety, as well as generate data that will facilitate the ...