A Kaduna-based foundation seed company, Ecobasic Seed, has projected that Nigeria needs to produce a minimum of 20 million metric tonnes of maize every year in order to guarantee food security and meet both local consumption and export requirements.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Brighton Karume, made the assertion during an award ceremony organised to celebrate outstanding contributors to the nation’s agricultural sector.
Karume explained that Nigeria’s current output of approximately 12 million metric tonnes leaves the country with an annual shortfall of about eight million metric tonnes, a gap he said must be urgently addressed if the nation intends to reduce food imports and stabilise prices.
He stressed that bridging the deficit would require a clear shift from traditional Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) to modern agricultural technologies, particularly the use of hybrid seeds known for higher productivity, climate resilience and improved resistance to pests and diseases.
According to him, wider acceptance of TELA Maize an advanced, genetically improved variety has already begun to enhance productivity among farmers, and could transform national output if adoption continues to grow across major maize-producing zones.
“For four years, we have consistently supported farmers by complementing government programmes aimed at strengthening food production and ensuring food security,” Karume said.
He added that the ceremony was also to appreciate loyal customers and partners who have helped expand the reach of TELA Maize and other hybrid seeds.
The Ecobasic CEO also emphasised the need for Nigeria to expand its cultivated land area, adopt full-scale mechanisation, and increase financial support to farmers, particularly through subsidised inputs and access to credit to cushion the high cost of production.
He noted that countries with stable food systems do not rely on subsistence farming, adding that Ecobasic Seed plans to acquire large expanses of land in 2026, in partnership with critical stakeholders, to support the Federal Government’s food security drive.
In his remarks, the National President of the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEDAN), Yusuf Kibiya who received an Award of Excellence for maintaining genetic purity commended the company for providing farmers with improved hybrid seeds that have consistently boosted yields nationwide.
Kibiya warned that rapid urbanisation is reducing the availability of arable land, making it imperative for Nigeria to adopt high-yield technologies rather than depending on outdated farming practices that deliver low returns.
He urged federal and state governments to scale up investments in agricultural inputs, noting that the high cost of seeds, fertilizers and mechanisation has remained a major challenge for smallholder farmers.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Bakachi Zacharia reaffirmed the Uba Sani administration’s commitment to implementing agriculture-friendly policies under the SUSTAIN Agenda.
He highlighted recent distribution of fertilizers and other inputs as part of the state government’s strategy to reduce the cost burden on farmers and enhance productivity.
