The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the agency mandated to regulate genetically modified products in Nigeria, has granted environmental approval for evaluation and open cultivation of TELA Maize in the country.
A statement issued at the weekend by Communication Officer, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), West and Central Africa, Alex Abutu, indicated that TELA maize variety was developed by researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research, (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, that is resistant to fall armyworm, stem borers, and tolerates moderate drought.
He stated that the certificate, dated October 8, 2021, with Permit Code No. NBMA/CM/003, was issued to IAR for General/Commercial Release of TELA Maize Genetically Modified for Drought Tolerance, Resistance to Stem Borer and Fall Armyworm.
According to him, the document accompanying the certificate from NBMA indicates that in arriving at the decision to grant the permit, the agency took into consideration the advice of its Technical Sub-Committee, and the risk management report provided by the applicant.
He clarified: “The Agency was convinced that there are no known adverse impacts to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, taking into account risk to human health.
“The permit, pursuant to this decision, is without prejudice to other extant legal requirements.
“This permit authorizes the permit holder and persons covered by the permit to commercialise the TELA Maize genetically modified for drought tolerance and insect resistance”, the AATF spokesperson added.
Commenting on the crop research feat, Prof Ishiyaku Mohammed, Executive Director, IAR, was quoted as saying that it is really inspiring for IAR to secure NBMA approval for the commercial release of the drought-tolerant and insect-resistant maize..
He explained: “This goes to further highlight IAR’s capacity and commitment to provide effective solutions to agricultural problems facing our farmers and optimising food security for Nigerians.
“The approval will open the way to combating the devastating effects of both drought and insect pests through the deployment of this new variety of maize into our farming system.
“The next step is to further evaluate the performance of this new variety by farmers on their fields in all the major maize growing belts in Nigeria.
“Thereafter, we shall seek another approval by the National variety release committee before making the seeds commercially available for farmers to plant in the 2023 cropping season”, the researcher hinted.
Similarly, Executive Director, AATF, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, said the approval had shown that Nigeria is really the giant leading the way in Africa.
Kanangaire was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as saying the office would ensure that smallholder farmers benefit from life-changing technologies that have transformed farming in other parts of the globe.
He said: “The approval by the government of Nigeria is a sign that we are making good progress, especially in our quest to expand the options for smallholder farmers.”
