Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has embarked on researches to produce drought-tolerant maize to boost agriculture in the country.
Dr Sylvestro Meseka, a maize breeder at the
institute, made this known on Thursday when he addressed a group of scientists who visited the
institute’s research farm in Ikenne, Ogun.
Meseka said that the development of the variety was important because of the effects of climate change.
He said that the new maize seeds had the
capacity to resist and withstand any form of
drought that could plague the country.
``We are developing a maize variety that would be good for farmers in the marginal rain areas, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria where the rain pattern is too short. So, you need to have
some of these varieties there.
``We should not forget the fact that due to
climate change, the rainfall pattern has changed; we are looking for more varieties that are not only drought-tolerant but also tolerant to heat stress,’’
he said.
IITA is one of the world’s leading research institutes which are striving to find practical solutions to the problems of hunger, malnutrition
and poverty in Africa.
The institute is also working to enhance crop quality and productivity, while reducing the risks
facing producers and consumers and generating wealth for those involved in agribusiness.
Dr Sylvestro Meseka, a maize breeder at the
institute, made this known on Thursday when he addressed a group of scientists who visited the
institute’s research farm in Ikenne, Ogun.
Meseka said that the development of the variety was important because of the effects of climate change.
He said that the new maize seeds had the
capacity to resist and withstand any form of
drought that could plague the country.
``We are developing a maize variety that would be good for farmers in the marginal rain areas, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria where the rain pattern is too short. So, you need to have
some of these varieties there.
``We should not forget the fact that due to
climate change, the rainfall pattern has changed; we are looking for more varieties that are not only drought-tolerant but also tolerant to heat stress,’’
he said.
IITA is one of the world’s leading research institutes which are striving to find practical solutions to the problems of hunger, malnutrition
and poverty in Africa.
The institute is also working to enhance crop quality and productivity, while reducing the risks
facing producers and consumers and generating wealth for those involved in agribusiness.