STMA project a new development to maize production in Africa – Expert

STMA project a new development to maize production in Africa – Expert

Dr Godfrey Onagwa, an expert in maize breeding says the Stress-Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) Project has brightened the future of maize production in the continent.

Onagwa, the Head of Extension Communication, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) made this known in a statement in Zaria.

He said that Nigeria had developed about 17 improved varieties, of which 13 were released to market between 2014 and 2019.

Onagwa, who is also a scientist with NAERLS, ABU, Zaria, said that the institute was saddled with the STMA promotional activities in Nigeria.

“We have over 40 improved maize varieties that are tolerant to stresses of various degrees in the Nigerian market. Out of these, about 17 were released in the last five years.

“Everywhere you go, farmers are demanding for stress-tolerant varieties as the harsh realities of climate change bites harder,” Onagwa said.

He said that the 2019 Annual Review and Planning Meeting held in Ibadan had in attendance members of the STMA maize breeding, testing, demonstration and promotional teams in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Mali.

Onagwa said that the meeting was organised for West and Central African Regional Stakeholders of the Project between April 23 and 27, 2019 in Ibadan.

He said that the meeting had for each country scientists, communication and socioeconomic experts and stakeholders in the national agricultural seed system.

He said that each country presented their 2018 work reports, as well as 2019 plan of activities with regard to the thrust of the project.

Onagwa quoted Dr Badu Apraku, a foremost maize breeder of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, as saying during the meeting that the STMA maize breeding project had been of advantage to African producers.

“Striga and drought as well as other production stresses-related to maize cultivation are no more causing nightmare to farmers in Africa due to laudable achievements of the STMA Project in the continent.

“Field data across Africa are all saying the same thing- farmers are adopting the superior varieties developed promoted by the STMA project, however, there are no longer fear of striga and drought and other stress.

“Indeed, the future of Africa agriculture is becoming brighter by the day, and we as a team are happy that tremendous progress is being made,” the statement quoted Apraku as saying.

He said that STMA Project was a collaboration between IITA and several other organisations with the purpose of developing, producing, testing and promoting mainly four varieties of maize that are tolerant to climatic stresses in sub-Saharan Africa.

He said that the varieties are drought-tolerant; striga-resistant, disease/pest-resistant, and low-nitrogen tolerant.

“One of the most visible stresses of climate change to farming is drought.

“Thus, one priority of STMA is to develop drought-tolerant maize varieties to mitigate this stress and help increase farmers’ productivity and income.

“Also, in the dry savannas of Nigeria and other parts of Africa, where low soil fertility is major constraint to maize production, the problem of low nitrogen soils is widespread.

“To tackle this, the Project develops tropical maize genotypes with high and stable yield under low-nitrogen condition.

“Striga or witchweed is a parasitic weed that seriously constrains the productivity of maize in sub-Saharan Africa, the weed attaches itself to the roots of host plant and siphons the nutrients and water intended for plant growth.

“The stunted and discoloured nature of the plant’ will finally cause it to wither,’’ according to Apraku.

He said that the STMA project was involved in developing and promoting Striga-resistant varieties.

He identified problems of pests and diseases such as bacterial, fungal and virus or virus-like diseases to nematodes or parasitic diseases as some of the constraints across the continent.

He, however, assured that several ST varieties were specifically developed to address the challenges of diseases and pests in maize.

The STMA project is operating in 13 African countries.

The countries are Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In Nigeria, the project covers the Sudan Savannah, Northern Guinea Savannah, Southern Guinea Savannah and the Forest areas.

 

 

 

Source: NAN

Photo Credit: Google