Byline: Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Nigerian farmers have urged the federal government and the National Assembly to allocate constituency project funds to provide high-quality seeds, particularly TELA maize, to reduce maize imports.
Smallholder farmers, facing challenges accessing improved seeds, criticise the misuse of lawmakers’ constituency allowances on infrastructure with minimal impact on food security.
Shehu Usman, a farmer and group spokesperson, stated, “Smallholder farmers are in every constituency across Nigeria, battling daily to get quality seeds to feed the nation. Yet, politicians use these funds for unnecessary structures, while we—the ones producing the bulk of the food—can’t even afford good seeds to plant.”
He stressed that even a small percentage of these funds for TELA maize distribution would significantly boost production.
“With just a little investment in TELA maize, farmers can grow enough to feed their families and sell surplus, we don’t need stipends that disappear in a day—we need tools that can sustain us,” Usman added.
Released in 2024 by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, TELA maize resists pests like stem borers and fall armyworms and tolerates mild drought.
Usman noted, “There is a big difference between TELA and the conventional maize we’ve been planting. TELA resists pests, grows well with fewer inputs, and yields more. This seed should become a national priority for food production.”
Farmers also demanded that seed distribution reach genuine farmers, not political allies, addressing concerns about mismanaged agricultural interventions. Nigeria faces a maize shortfall of nearly 6 million metric tonnes annually, and stakeholders believe TELA maize could close this gap, enhancing food security.
Haruna Musa, a veteran farmer from Kaduna, shared, “TELA maize is unlike any other I’ve planted. The yield was so impressive that I’ve already acquired a bigger plot of land for the next round.” He urged youth engagement, stating, “This seedling can be a game changer—not just for food security, but for employment.”
Similarly, Mustapha Muhammad said, “I’m so glad I planted that little piece. Without it, my family wouldn’t have had enough maize this year. The germination rate is excellent, and the productivity is evident during packaging and milling. What started as a trial will now be my mainstay.”
As the 2025 planting season begins, farmers hope lawmakers prioritise sustainable agriculture over one-off projects, leveraging TELA maize to transform Nigeria’s maize production.