By Idris Umar, Zaria
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Samaru, Zaria, participated in a TELA Maize Demonstration Day held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, under the theme “Eating Is Believing.”
The event brought together farmers, researchers, development partners, traditional rulers, media representatives and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to raise awareness about the benefits, quality and safe use of TELA Maize.
The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Development, Research and Innovation, Professor Aliyu Sanusi Rafindadi, led the ABU delegation to the event.
In his remarks, Professor Rafindadi stressed the importance of innovation in agriculture, collaboration and the adoption of modern technologies to strengthen food production, increase crop yields and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
One of the major highlights of the event was a visit to the TELA Maize demonstration field, where participants had the opportunity to observe how the maize varieties performed under real farm conditions.
TELA Maize possesses important characteristics, including drought tolerance and resistance to certain destructive maize pests, particularly fall armyworm and stem borers, which are among the major challenges confronting maize farmers.
The organisers explained that these characteristics could help reduce crop losses and provide farmers with protection against some of the major pests that damage maize crops.
In line with the theme of the event, “Eating Is Believing,” participants were given the opportunity to taste roasted maize, boiled maize and masa prepared from TELA Maize.
The direct tasting exercise allowed participants to assess products prepared from the maize while gaining a better understanding of the technology behind TELA Maize.
Participants were also encouraged to rely on scientific evidence and firsthand observations when assessing modern agricultural technologies rather than depending on rumours and unverified information.
Among those who spoke at the event was the Chairman of the Kaduna State Farmers Association, Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, who said he had personally cultivated TELA Maize and recorded better returns than he had previously achieved.
Alhaji Nuhu Aminu expressed confidence in the maize variety and called on farmers in Kaduna State and other parts of the country to embrace modern agricultural technologies in order to increase productivity and improve their earnings.
He also appealed to governments to provide greater support to farmers in accessing TELA Maize seeds, saying such support would contribute to agricultural development, increased food production and economic growth.
Professor Rabi’u Adamu, one of the researchers who contributed to the development and advancement of the maize variety, also highlighted the importance of TELA Maize to farmers and the country’s agricultural sector.
Professor Rabi’u Adamu said TELA Maize had undergone a structured scientific research process and encouraged farmers to understand and adopt the technology based on verified scientific evidence.
Similarly, the Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute for Soil Resources (NEARLS), Professor Yusuf Ahmed Sani, expressed support for the use of TELA Maize and encouraged farmers to embrace modern agricultural technologies to improve food
production.
Other prominent participants at the event included the Market Development Manager of Hybrid Seed, Mr. Ojo Olewale, as well as other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The TELA Maize Demonstration Day provided an important platform for educating farmers, bringing stakeholders together, conducting field demonstrations and promoting public awareness based on scientific evidence.
The event also highlighted the potential of modern agricultural technologies, including TELA Maize, to increase crop yields, strengthen food production and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
The event was successfully concluded without incident.
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