How Anti-Improved Seed Campaigns Are Undermining Maize Yields in Nigeria and Beyond

Agricultural experts warn that campaigns discouraging farmers from using certified seed varieties are deepening poverty and keeping maize productivity low across Africa. At a stewardship training workshop for extension officers in Kaduna, Dr. Sylvester Oikeh of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation highlighted that Nigeria’s average maize yield of 2.2 tons per hectare falls far below the global benchmark of around 6 tons. He blamed the practice of recycling grain as seed for much of this shortfall. Oikeh rejected claims that improved seeds force dependency on multinational firms. He noted that modern seed varieties offer stronger pest resistance and environmental stress tolerance—benefits lost when farmers save and replant harvested grain. Recent studies in sub-Saharan Africa show yield boosts of 30–100 percent with improved maize varieties combined with fertilizer and irrigation. Experts stress that closing this yield gap will be crucial to boosting farmer incomes, ensuring food security, and reducing reliance on imports as Africa’s population grows.

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