Disease: Maize shortage imminent this year – IAR&T

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By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan weekend hinted of the discovery of new maize disease in the South-West sub-region of the country.
According to the Institute in a statement in Ibadan issued by its Head of Public Relations Unit, Mr. Adeniyi Amusat, the newly discovered  uncommon pest/disease “is presently ravaging maize on the field in the Southwest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria which may likely lead to shortage of maize in the region”.
IAR&T in the statement pointed out that the new maize disease if not checked may lead to scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently. “This is to inform members of the public that an uncommon pest/disease is presently ravaging maize on the field in the Southwest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Consequently, if not checked there may be scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently,” it said.
IAR&T added in the statement that “this portends serious danger for the nation as maize is an important staple for the country and forms larger percentage of live stock feeds formulation especially in poultry”.
The Institute however charged stakeholders in the agric sector in and across Nigeria to support its moves at aggressively addressing the looming danger before it will be too lateIAR&T maintained that on its part, the Institute has already set machinery in motion to control the new maize disease from spreading from the South West region to the other parts of Nigeria.

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