Maize researchers last week presented a blueprint on doubling maize production to the Nigerian government. The blueprint, which contained empirical facts and recommendations, proved that the oil-rich nation could double maize production and called for the strengthening of the country's seed system to tackle the challenges of a food crisis.

"The government should take the recommendations seriously because if implemented and sustained, they would bring solutions to the food crisis especially as it concerns maize production," says Prof MA Fakorede, a maize researcher at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

In Nigeria, maize is among the most important crops, but poor seed supply, inefficient marketing system, and low investment in research are among the factors that have limited production. Current production is about 8 million tonnes but the research, which involved more than 1000 farmers, raised yield per hectare to about 4.2 tonnes from 1.5 tonnes, suggesting that national production could hit 20 million tonnes if the recommendations are scaled-up.

Dr Oyewole Ajala, team leader and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) maize breeder, appealed for government support for the seed sector to overcome the limitation poised by poor seed supply to farmers. "Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa that has viable private seed companies and they need support to consistently supply quality seeds to farmers," he says.

Nigeria's Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, Honourable Fidelia Njeze, lauded the research team for its efforts. According to her, apart from ensuring food security, the research is in line with the federal government's seven-point agenda.

The Doubling Maize in Nigeria project began in 2006 and was funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development. Partners included IITA, the Institute of Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T), National Rice/Maize Center - National Accelerated Food Production Program, Institute for Agricultural Research, National Cereals Research Institute, the University of Ilorin and the National Agricultural Extension & Research Liaison Services (NAERLS).

The team deployed several improved maize varieties that were drought-tolerant, low nitrogen-tolerant, Striga-tolerant, stemborer-resistant and early maturing to address the challenge faced by resource-poor farmers in maize production.

Other recommendations made by the researchers included calls for maintenance of government buy-back policy, extensive field management training of extension, seed company and staff of other agencies engaged in maize promotion, scaling-up of promising production technologies, generation of accurate data through appropriate data mining and actual generation, investment in production and promotion of labour saving tools, and continued investment in post-harvest research. - IITA