Experts advise farmers to plant quality maize seeds for optimal yield

Dr Julius Olasoji, a Seed Scientist, on Thursday advised farmers to plant quality maize seeds to get optimal yield. He said the planting of high quality seeds and ensuring adequate plant population per cultivated area were recipes for maximum yield. Olasoji of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, said that farmers should always maintain Good Agronomic Practices for effect.

He explained that they should do this by planting at the right time, applying fertilizer properly, weeding their farms and harvesting their crops at the right time. Farmers can also use hybrid maize that has more yield potential than the Open Pollinated Varieties. He said Nigeria is long overdue in the area of self-sufficiency, especially in maize production and should not rely on importation from neighbouring countries. Olasoji appealed to governments to always assist farmers in getting agricultural inputs at subsidised rates and in land clearing. Government should also introduce policy that will create enabling market for farmers. He stressed that farmers should always contact research institutes that have mandate on maize production for quality seeds to boost their production and yield.

Also speaking, former chairman of Oyo State Maize Association of Nigeria, Mr Isa Raji, said prompt provision of improved varieties of seeds to farmers would improve maize production. Inputs such as tractors, chemicals, fertilisers should be given to farmers in the month of May because planting begins in June. By September, the maize matures and harvesting starts between October and November. Raji said if farmers plant late, the crop will not get adequate water and yield will be low. Government should also provide enabling environment by helping farmers to clear land. He said when the land is well prepared and they plant with good maintenance, there will surely be optimum yield. Raji stressed that there would be maximum yield if farmers got early maturing seeds that required between 60 days and 75 days to mature.