Managing Director of Ecobasic Seed, Brighton Karume, represented by the company’s Commercial Manager, Moses Atewogboye, has urged Nigerian farmers to embrace hybrid seedlings in line with global best practices in food production.
Speaking at a Brown Demo Field Demonstration in Zaria, Atewogboye said the event was organised to demonstrate the performance and value of one of EcobasicSeed’s foundation seed varieties, the TELA maize.
He noted that adopting modern seed technology remains critical for boosting productivity, insisting that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, must lead the continent in agricultural innovation.
The EcobasicSeed representative explained that the company has spent years conducting field trials across different ecological zones in Nigeria to ensure that its hybrid varieties are adaptable, resilient and profitable for farmers.
He said the TELA maize on display was a product of rigorous research and collaboration with reputable institutions committed to improving Africa’s food systems.
Atewogboye added that one of the biggest challenges facing Nigerian farmers is the continued reliance on outdated planting materials, which limits productivity and exposes farms to climate-related shocks.
According to him, adopting hybrid seeds with proven performance traits is no longer optional but essential for ensuring national food sufficiency.
He further stated that EcobasicSeed remains committed to supporting farmers through training, extension services and access to improved seedlings that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
He said the company’s goal is to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation by empowering farmers with technology that guarantees higher yields and better returns on investment.
At the event, the Provost of the Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Professor Usman Ibrahim, warned that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable food security unless farmers and key players in the agricultural value chain fully embrace modern methods of crop production, management and distribution.
Prof. Ibrahim, who spoke during the Brown Demo Field harvest of genetically modified TELA maize cultivated in partnership with Ecobasic Seed, said the country’s rapidly growing population demands a revolutionary approach to farming capable of meeting both consumption and industrial needs.
The demonstration, supervised by a team of professors and crop experts from ABU Zaria, gathered more than 100 farmers drawn from surrounding agrarian communities.
The TELA maize, planted 70 days earlier during the tail end of the 2025 wet season, reportedly exhibited impressive drought tolerance and resilience.
Prof. Ibrahim called on the federal government to establish more colleges of agriculture to train middle-level manpower equipped with the latest skills in modern crop production.
“To achieve food security, we have no option but to key into innovative ideas and modern agricultural practices. We have demonstrated a hybrid maize variety with high yield potential, drought tolerance and pest resistance. Farmers who hope to increase productivity and improve their income must embrace this technology.” he said.
He reaffirmed ABU’s commitment to advancing agricultural research, saying the institution known for over a century as a training ground for agricultural professionals will continue exploring new scientific frontiers to support Nigeria’s food security efforts.
