New maize hybrids branded as TELA maize have been enhanced through biotechnology to improve their drought tolerance and ability to resist attacks by insects. Photo courtesy.
A new insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize variety in Sub-Saharan Africa has received Sh2.5 billion ($24.6m) grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) for commercialization.
This complements USAID’s ongoing Sh500m ($5m) commitment to the project.
The new maize hybrids branded as TELA maize have been enhanced through biotechnology to improve their drought tolerance and ability to resist attacks by insects.
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The seeds have been tested in field trials in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda, and shown increased drought tolerance, good protection against stem borers, and partial but significant protection against the newest menace, Fall Armyworm.
The TELA hybrids are yielding on average 30 per cent more than conventional hybrids. When insect attacks are intense, the new hybrids yield 50 per cent more.
Approximately 15 per cent of the maize harvest in East Africa is lost to stem borers each year. The Fall Armyworm threatens to destroy up to 25 per cent more of the harvest.
Drought is becoming more frequent because of climate change. The new maize hybrids offer significant protection from these threats and can help protect the harvest and the livelihoods of African farmers.
Dr. Denis Kyetere, the Executive Director AATF, said the grant would support the organization and its partners in moving the TELA products to smallholder farmers who are most affected by frequent droughts and insect menace.
“This is indeed great news for AATF, smallholder farmers and our partners. We are pleased that the Gates Foundation and USAID value the role of biotechnology in addressing the effects of climate change across the continent. With continued support of various country governments, we believe, we shall offer dependable solutions within five years,” said Dr. Kyetere.
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With the grant, AATF and its partners will pursue the regulatory approval and dissemination of the new biotech seeds across the six partner countries in Africa.
The TELA Maize Project builds on progress made from a decade of excellent breeding work under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project. Through WEMA, 101 conventional drought-tolerant maize hybrids (Drought TEGO) and five TELA hybrids have been released for commercialisation in the various countries with the TELA hybrids released in South Africa.
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The Project partners include National Agriculture Research systems in the six countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa), Monsanto, CIMMYT and African seed companies. AATF coordinates the partnership.