- Flour Mills, DowDuPont to Develop Hybrid Maize Seed
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has announced a strategic partnership with the agricultural division of DowDupont, Corteva Agriscience, on the development of maize hybrid seed.
The firm noted that the move was also a confirmation of its commitment to be a catalyst in the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and to feed the nation every day.
The collaboration would see the FMN and Corteva Agriscience working together on key aspects of the maize value chain in Nigeria, with a focus on promoting modern farming techniques and practices, capacity development and knowledge transfer for the local production and use of improved and quality inputs, including seeds and crop protection, a statement from them indicated on Wednesday..
The Chairman, FMN Plc, John Coumantaros, was quoted as saying, “We are excited about the prospects of this partnership, and what we can achieve. Corteva Agriscience is a globally renowned company with a wealth of experience in crop protection and biotechnology solutions, and will introduce new and exciting seed production techniques that will help develop the maize hybrid seed market in Nigeria.
“Over the years, FMN has invested heavily in the primary processing, aggregation and distribution of locally grown grains such as maize, soybean, rice, sorghum and wheat; and we are passionate about strengthening the capabilities of small-scale farmers, even as we continue to seek out newer ways of deepening our supply chain.”
The Group Managing Director, FMN Plc, Mr. Paul Gbededo, said that the firm was in the sustainability testing phase for the most viable varieties suitable for the Nigerian environment and envisaged that the next step will be to establish in Nigeria a world-class hybrid maize production plant.
He said, “Our business is ultimately about providing for the livelihood of millions of Nigerian families by ensuring that they have access to great food, and as such, we are focused on building a business that caters for not just their nutritional needs but enriches their lives.”
The Commercial Unit Director, Africa Middle East, Corteva Agriscience, Prabdeep Bajwa, was quoted as saying that the partnership endorsed the firm’s commitment to collaboration across the food chain to transform the role of agriculture in the society and enhance the livelihood of farmers in Nigeria.
He said, “Our company is investing in innovation, drawing on our knowledge of genetics, chemistry and digital to give farmers in Africa more and better products and ensure their success.
“FMN and Corteva Agriscience have already started work on demonstration farm plots in Nigeria to showcase high-performing hybrid maize varieties with additional test sites expected to commence soon in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Oyo, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory.”
The partnership would also seek to work with relevant Nigerian agencies to strengthen the legal framework for plant variety protection in intellectual property laws, which would not only guarantee that the country to get access to the best technology solutions but also protect the rights of smallholder farmers, the statement indicated further.
