Seed regulatory agency, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) has introduced three hybrid maize seeds to farmers in Akwa Ibom State.
The agency noted that the new varieties which included Oba Super13, P4226 Corteva and DK777 Dekab have proven to be a pest, worm as well as stem borers resistance.
The Regional Director of NASC, South-South zone Mr Mmoeyak Usua who disclosed this on Wednesday in Uyo during the 2020 Farmers’ Field Day organized by the agency in collaboration with Premier Seeds, Du Pont and Bayer Seed Companies stressed that the new seeds have the capacity to produce 5000- 7000 tons of maize per hectare.
Usua said the high yielding seeds had undergone series of international research which made it have superior quality over the local materials noting that they can be planted three times in a year.
He, however, urged farmers to locate only registered seeds companies to purchase the new seeds.
His words, “This particular demonstration was meant to compare the superiority of the hybrid seed over local materials. The hybrid does better than the local materials.
“They are disease and drought-resistant, and the cobs are very big, when we planted them, the whole of August 2020, there was no rain but they survived. It can be planted three times a year.
“The seeds have passed through a series of research, first of all, it had an origin from International Institute for Tropical Research, they passed it down as foundation seed where it was certified.
“We want farmers to know that there is an improved seed and the new variety has a high yielding capacity of 5000 to 7000 tons per hectare.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture in the State, Dr Glory Edet represented by the Assistant Director, Agric Directorate, Mr Edet Udoaka commended the agency and seeds companies over the improved seeds introduced to the farmers.
The Commissioner appealed to both federal and state government to continue to support maize growers and farmers at large, to enable them to produce sufficient food for the nation.
“Government, therefore, congratulate the seed companies who have deemed it necessary to come together to encourage maize production in the State and beyond.” Dr Edet noted.
