A recent on-farm study has confirmed that TELA Maize hybrids are outperforming conventional maize varieties in Nigeria, delivering significantly higher yields, improved pest resistance, and greater farm profitability.
The trials, conducted during the 2024 wet season by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, revealed that the TELA hybrid SAMMAZ 75T achieved average yields of 5.09 tonnes per hectare, a 54 per cent increase over the 3.30 tonnes per hectare recorded for non-TELA maize.
This yield advantage translated into higher income, with TELA maize earning ₦3.16 million per hectare, compared to ₦2.05 million for conventional maize. On average, farmers who cultivated TELA maize generated over ₦1.1 million more per hectare, driven not only by higher yields but also by savings on pesticides and labour.
The study involved 120 participating farmers, each cultivating 0.5 hectares of TELA maize and 0.5 hectares of non-TELA maize. Results showed that TELA maize plots required significantly fewer pesticide applications—1.3 sprays per season compared to 2.1 sprays for non-TELA plots. In terms of pest damage, only 22 per cent of TELA maize farmers reported any losses, while 86 per cent of non-TELA farmers experienced damage, with some suffering yield losses of up to 66 per cent.
“These findings confirm even our earlier national performance trials. No TELA maize farms recorded damage beyond one-third of the crop, whereas some non-TELA plots suffered losses of up to two-thirds,” said Professor Rabiu Adamu, Principal Investigator for the TELA Maize project. “This level of protection is critical for smallholder resilience.”
The on-farm demonstrations preceded the commercial release of four TELA maize hybrids in January 2024: SAMMAZ 72T, 73T, 74T, and 75T. These varieties were developed by scientists at IAR to combine high yield potential with built-in pest resistance and drought tolerance.
Dr Sylvester Oikeh, AATF’s Project Manager for TELA Maize, described the results as a milestone for Nigerian agriculture, noting that the technology represents a shift toward sustainable and resilient farming systems. “TELA maize is not just another variety. It is a pathway to resilient, productive farming that empowers farmers to secure better livelihoods and ensure Nigeria’s food future,” he said.
Farmer feedback also reflected widespread satisfaction, with nearly 90 per cent of participants praising TELA maize as “stress-free” and “more reliable,” citing uniform germination, faster growth, and reduced spraying as key benefits.
As Nigeria accelerates its push for climate-smart agriculture, TELA maize is gaining recognition as a transformative solution that aligns with national goals for food security, reduced pesticide use, and sustainable farming practices.
