Experts have called for increased adoption of hybrid seeds and modern agricultural practices by Nigerian farmers, saying low uptake of improved seeds remains a major obstacle to achieving food security and boosting the country’s agricultural productivity.
The experts made the call during a field demonstration of TELA hybrid maize seeds held in Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the event, Project Manager of EcoBasicSeed, Dr Yarama Ndripaya, said only about five per cent of Nigerian farmers had moved from open-pollinated varieties to hybrid seeds.
He described the level of adoption as inadequate for a country with a population of more than 250 million people, stressing the need for urgent measures to encourage farmers to embrace improved agricultural technologies.
Ndripaya urged the Federal Government to extend agricultural subsidies to hybrid seedlings to make them more affordable and accessible to a larger number of farmers.
He also cautioned farmers against saving hybrid seeds for subsequent planting seasons, explaining that such practice could reduce their effectiveness and productivity over time.
According to him, sustained use of certified hybrid seeds, combined with appropriate agronomic practices, would help farmers increase yields while making better use of available farmland.
Also speaking, Dr Hussein Abubakar of the Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, highlighted the benefits of TELA hybrid seeds, including improved drought tolerance, pest resistance and higher yields.
Abubakar said agriculture contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy and employment, making the sector critical to the country’s food security and economic development.
He explained that farmers could achieve significantly higher output from smaller portions of land through the use of improved hybrid varieties and modern farming techniques, compared with traditional farming methods.
Earlier, the Commercial Manager, EcoBasicSeed West Africa, Moses Atewogboye, advised farmers to seek professional guidance before adopting new agricultural practices, saying expert advice was essential for achieving maximum yields and sustaining crop production.
He urged farmers to follow recommended agronomic practices and avoid methods that could undermine the effectiveness of improved seeds.
Representing the Managing Director of EcoBasicSeed, Samuel Owoeye expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve greater food production if farmers were adequately sensitised on the benefits of improved seeds and modern agricultural practices.
He said the company would continue to support awareness and enlightenment programmes aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt improved seed varieties and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.