The Federal Government, in partnership with Export Trade Group (ETG) and the Nigeria Agro Inputs Dealers Association (NAIDA), unveiled disease‑resistant hybrid maize seeds on Thursday as the planting season begins. Officials from the Federal Government’s Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), the trade group, and NAIDA presented the ETG M401 and ETG M601 hybrid varieties to farmers in Abuja, highlighting their potential for higher yields.
Prof. Mohammad Ishyiku, Executive Director of IAR, explained that the institute is collaborating with ETG and agro‑input dealers to ensure farmers can grow early‑maturing maize with adequate nutrients and improved yields. Represented by Principal Investigator Dr. Muyideen Oyekunke, Ishyiku said, “This is a right step and an innovation that will surely boost the output of our farmers nationwide, ensuring increased incomes after harvest and market delivery.”
Goodluck Nkemakolam, Business Development Manager for ETG Nigeria, noted that the group is working with all relevant government agencies to help farmers adopt the hybrid seeds. “We are working with the government because any investor must follow the country’s laws. All required agencies—including the Seeds Council, IAR, Ministry of Agriculture, and agro‑input dealers—are involved in our efforts. The government is aware of our presence; ETG has been active in training for some time. Regarding inputs, we want to ensure that the farmers whose produce we purchase receive quality inputs that generate better harvests,” he said.
Nkemakolam added that ETG’s trading arm has already supported over 10,000 Nigerian farmers, and the new hybrid seeds will deepen the firm’s presence in the agricultural sector. “From our commodity side, we have reached more than 10,000 farmers. Once the registration process for the inputs sector is complete and the product is released, we will engage many more farmers,” he stated.
Ashish Lakhotia, Chief Executive Officer of ETG Inputs HoldCo Limited, described the hybrid maize as an early‑maturing, white‑grain variety with thick stems, low planting density, long cobs, and hard grains. “The cobs are well covered with husks, dry down well, and are easy to harvest. The seeds exhibit excellent drought tolerance, mature in 100–110 days, have medium height, and show strong resistance to all common diseases,” he explained.
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