TELA maize are insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties. They are genetically modified maize varieties that are drought tolerant and resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworms. This resistance results in a yield advantage of up to 10 tons per hectare under good agronomic practices.
TELA maize gets approved in Nigeria.
Genetically modified foods are not a new phenomenon in the world. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have been around for quite some time now. Genetically modified foods are food whose DNA has been altered, this means a trait or characteristic has been introduced or removed using genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering is the process where desirable traits in an organism are kept, and undesirable ones are eliminated or silenced.
Zea mays popularly known as corn or maize in most parts of the world is one of the most important cereal crops used in the human diet in large parts of the world and an important feed component for livestock.
Global production of maize exceeds 600 metric tons, with about 60% produced in developed countries, particularly in the United States of America.
China produces 27% of the world’s maize and the rest is grown in Africa, Latin America, and southern Asia with a large proportion being produced in the tropics and subtropics.
In 2017, Africa produced 7.4% of the 1,135 million tons produced worldwide in 40 million hectares, according to data by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This percentage is lower than it should be, and one of the reasons for this low output can be said to be due to the number of insects and diseases that plague maize and affect its production.
Stem borers reduce maize production in several countries in Africa. Fall armyworms can destroy up to 20 million metric tons of maize in Africa yearly. Twenty million metric tons of maize is enough to feed 100 million people.
TELA maize are insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties. They are genetically modified maize varieties that are drought tolerant and resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworms. This resistance results in a yield advantage of up to 10 tons per hectare under good agronomic practices.
The national average for similar hybrids is 6 tons per hectare. The varieties are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savanna.
The TELA Maize Project is undergoing implementation in 5 countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Conclusion!
Millions of dollars are lost yearly. Farmers are always on the losing end because they spend money on insecticides and pesticides. With this new development, the production of maize will increase in Nigeria and Africa by a significant margin.
My name is Fidola, and I am a writer based in Nigeria with a passion for exploring and writing.
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