By Shuaibu Anokehi Yahaya
Nigerian farmers can now access two varieties of fast-maturing and drought-tolerant open-pollinated maize seeds that increase their yields from three to five tons per hectare and are resistant to maize streak virus and leaf blight.
While maize farming is a profitable business in Nigeria, with average incomes per acre ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000, losses due to drought, pests, and diseases can significantly reduce profits. The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) housed at Bayero University in Kano State has developed CDA’s IMDT (intermediate drought tolerance) and CDA’s EVDT (early variety drought tolerance) which are open-pollinated and are resistant to maize streak virus and leaf blight, and suitable for a climate that has three months on average of rainfall, minimising risks and ensuring higher yields.
Data from CDA shows that both varieties are drought-tolerant and high-performing maize seeds that are specifically bred to boost the yields of farmers in Nigeria’s climate and soil conditions of the arid Sudan Savanna ecological zone.
The two maize varieties can produce up to five tons per hectare, compared to three tons per hectare for traditional open-pollinated varieties.
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CDA IMDT Seed Profile:
- Seed Name: IMDT-Maize
- Seed Producer: Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano
- Yield per hectare: 5 tons
- Time from Seed to Harvest: 70-80 days
- Typical Cost: ₦1700 per kg
- Water Needs/Drought Resilience: High drought tolerance
- Performance in Pest Resistance: Resistant to maize streak virus and leaf blight
- Ideal Soils and Climate: Well-drained soils, Sudan Savannah ecological zones (temperate climate)
CDA EVDT Seed Profile:
- Seed Name: EVDT-Maize
- Seed Producer: Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano
- Yield per hectare: five tons
- Time from Seed to Harvest: 60-80 days
- Typical Cost: ₦1700 per kg
- Water Needs/Drought Resilience: High drought tolerance
- Performance in Pest Resistance: Resistant to maize streak virus and leaf blight
- Ideal Soils and Climate: Well-drained soils, Sudan Savanah ecological zones (temperate climate)
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How to Get IMDT and EVDT Seeds:
Farmers can purchase IMDT and EVDT Maize seeds directly from CDA or through authorised distributors.
Contact:
Mr. Ibrahim Musa Maina
Chief technologist/Head of Crop Production
CDA Farm/BUK
Phone: +2348069549658
Savanna Seed Company
Along Conar Dawaki,
Zaria road
Kano State,
Phone: +2347038401260
Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA)
Bayero University Kano
Phone: +234 803 444 1111
Authorised Distributors:
Kano State Agricultural Development Programme (KADP)
Phone: +234 64 222222
Address: No. 45, France Road, Sabon Gari, Kano
Dala Agro Services
Phone: +234 803 333 1111
Address: No. 12, Zaria Road, Kano