The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has expressed concern over the high cost and delayed supply of TELA maize seeds to farmers.
Prof. Ado Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, stated this on Thursday in Zaria, noting that the challenges had prevented many farmers from accessing the improved variety during the 2025 wet season.
Yusuf made the remarks while receiving a team of agricultural experts from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and TELA Nigeria, who were on a field visit to TELA maize demonstration farms in Zaria and Giwa Local Government Areas.
Represented by the Deputy Director of the Institute, Prof. Nafi’u Abdu, Yusuf said the aim of developing the TELA maize variety was to make it affordable and readily available to farmers.
He urged a review of the current seed pricing to make TELA maize more accessible, saying this would help achieve the programme’s goals of reducing hunger and improving farmers’ income.
It was gathered that a kilograms of TELA maize was sold between ₦5,000 and ₦8,500 during the last wet season.
Yusuf lamented that delayed seed supply during the 2025 planting season forced many farmers, including himself, to revert to local varieties.
“Many people booked for the TELA seeds at the institute but were unable to get them on time. Even the seeds allocated to me arrived late, so I had to plant local seeds instead,” he said.
He added that the adoption of the transgenic maize variety had significantly reduced the damage caused by the Fall Armyworm (FAW), a pest known to cause up to 100 per cent crop loss in some areas across Nigeria.
“As an institute, we have witnessed tremendous progress in the use of transgenic maize. The TELA variety has brought notable relief to farmers by drastically reducing pest damage,” he said.
Yusuf also appealed to the TELA Nigeria team to intensify public enlightenment to counter misinformation and propaganda being spread against TELA maize, particularly by individuals without agricultural or plant breeding expertise.
He reaffirmed IAR’s commitment to supporting the TELA maize programme and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to enhance food security in the country.
Corroborating, the National Coordinator of TELA Nigeria, Mr. Yarama Ndirpaya, admitted that the high cost of seeds had contributed to the emergence of counterfeit TELA maize seeds in parts of Kano State.
He disclosed that those behind the fake seeds had been apprehended and reported to the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC).
“We are partnering with local seed production companies to bridge the supply gap for the next farming season and reduce prices. Currently, about 2.8 tons of TELA maize seeds have been produced for distribution,” Ndirpaya said.
He added that the TELA Nigeria project was working closely with stakeholders to ensure farmers have access to genuine, affordable seeds ahead of the next planting season.
Earlier, Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, Consultant Advisor at AATF, Nairobi, commended IAR for its partnership and technical support in advancing the TELA maize project in Nigeria.
“We came to appreciate IAR for its continued collaboration and strong technical backing,” Oikeh said.
