The African Agricultural Technology Foundation has stepped up efforts to improve maize production in Kano State by introducing farmers to TELA hybrid maize, an improved climate-smart seed technology designed to increase yields, combat destructive pests and enhance food security.
The awareness campaign, held in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, brought together farmers, extension officers and other stakeholders for practical training on the benefits of the improved maize variety and the agronomic practices required to maximise productivity.
Speaking during the programme, AATF’s Hybrid Seed Market Development Manager, Olawale Ojo, said the initiative forms part of the organisation’s broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of improved seed technologies capable of transforming maize production across Nigeria.
He noted that access to quality seed remains one of the most important factors determining farm productivity, explaining that farmers who combine certified seeds with recommended planting practices are better positioned to harvest more, reduce production costs and improve household incomes.
Ojo explained that the TELA Maize Project was developed to address two of the biggest threats confronting maize farmers—persistent insect attacks and the increasing impact of drought caused by climate change.
According to him, scientists combined advanced plant breeding with modern biotechnology to develop maize varieties that can withstand prolonged dry conditions while offering resistance to destructive insect pests, significantly reducing crop losses and the need for excessive pesticide application.
He also dismissed widespread misinformation suggesting that genetically modified crops cause cancer or damage farmland, maintaining that TELA maize underwent extensive scientific evaluation and regulatory scrutiny before receiving approval for cultivation and consumption.
To further demonstrate the technology’s performance, Ojo said field demonstration plots established by AATF consistently showed that TELA maize produced stronger plants, healthier cobs and significantly higher yields than conventional varieties while lowering farmers’ spending on insect control.
Agricultural extension officer, Malam Bashir, encouraged participants to put the knowledge gained into practice, describing improved farming techniques as essential to achieving higher productivity and sustainable maize production.
Farmers at the event sought clarification on fertiliser application, seed spacing, crop management and access to certified TELA seeds, with AATF officials providing practical guidance on best agronomic practices required to achieve optimum yields.
Several participants expressed confidence in the improved maize variety following the training.
One of the farmers, Jamila Bello, said she had previously visited a TELA maize demonstration farm and was impressed by the crop’s performance, expressing optimism that more farmers would embrace the technology after witnessing its results.
Another participant, Laima Bashir, called for greater inclusion of women in agricultural extension programmes, noting that many female maize farmers still lack access to modern farming knowledge and improved production technologies needed to boost yields and minimise input losses.
A veteran farmer, Malam Magaji Usman, who has spent nearly 45 years cultivating maize, described the sensitisation programme as one of the most valuable agricultural training he had attended.
He said the knowledge gained had changed his understanding of modern maize production and urged fellow farmers to adopt TELA maize, expressing confidence that the improved variety would help increase productivity, reduce losses and strengthen food security in farming communities.
