Maize Improvement Programme for Southern Ecology was formerly Cereals Improvement Unit. It was so named in order to accommodate cereals such as sorghum, rice and millet. As at that time, the programme was a unit under Farming Systems Research and Extension Programme. The programme became independent in the year 1993 when the institute got the national mandate for maize production in the southern ecology of Nigeria. This was affirmed by approval of the Minister in 2010. The name finally changed to Maize Improvement Programme for Southern Ecology in 2014 to reflect scope, task and mandate of the programme.

The programme has the mandate for genetic improvement of maize with resistance to pests (armyworm., stem-borers, vertebrate pests) and diseases(fungal, streak, viral ) and other constraints to high productivity in the southern agro-ecologies. The programme also collaborates with national and international agricultural research institutes, to ensure great benefits to the farmers in the zone.

The programme has experienced and competent scientists from various disciplines including Maize Breeding, Crop Physiology, Plant Protection, Seed Science, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and Agricultural Economics.

Crop varietal development and breeding to ensure sustainable yield increase.

Crop protection and utilisation (value addition for end-users).

Impact assessment through effective information dissemination and monitoring and evaluation of released maize varieties.

Research Focus

Development of improved, stress-resistant and adaptable maize varieties for increased production and better livelihood in southwest and south east agro-ecologies.

Current Activities

Baseline study to ascertain the biotic and abiotic constraints to maize productivity due to climate change.

Development of multiple stress resistant maize genotypes to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses occasioned by climate change, and for enhanced productivity.

Evaluation of maize genotypes for tolerance to drought, response to various fertilizers types and to determine soil mineral uptake and micro-nutrients for maize genotypes to be developed.

Assessment of maize genotypes to be developed for resistance to pests and diseases.

Development of appropriate approach for the control of maize constraints.

Laboratory assessment of climate smart maize varieties for nutrient content, utilisation potentials, and products development.

Development of provitamin A maize to tame hidden hunger among vulnerable groups in South West Nigeria.

On- farm demonstration of high yielding, early maturing maize tolerant to multiple stresses in southwestern Nigeria.

Dissemination and promotion of climate smart technologies for wider adoption by farmers.

Multi-location and on-farm trials for release of promising hybrid popcorn varieties.

Studies on maize streak disease in southwestern Nigeria towards the development of its control strategies.

Our Collaborators

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

University of Ilorin

Past Achievements

The programme in collaboration with scientists in the Maize Program of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) released and registered two different maize varieties namely ARTMAZ 001 and ARTMAZ 002 in the year 2023. The materials were bred to tolerate armyworm with yield potentials of 7 to 9.5 metric tonnes / ha

Integrated pest management of Fall Armyworm (FAW), utilizing Beauveria spp., selected botanicals, and synthetic pesticides. This study confirmed that Beauveria spp. is an effective biological pesticide for managing FAW. Neem and Tithonia diversifolia also showed effectiveness. However, further work is needed to package these eco-friendly solutions for farmers.

Some popcorn varieties and hybrids for adaptation to southern agro-ecologies of Nigeria were developed. The developed lines are undergoing evaluation for the process of release in March 2026.

Capacity building of about 200 youths across the southwest geo-political zone on profitable maize production under climate change and other constraints in southwest Nigeria.

Capacity building of about 150 youths across southwest geo-political zone on technologies involved in quality seed production of maize.

Future Plans

Release of low nitrogen tolerant yellow and white hybrid maize to reduce cost of input and enhance higher yield per hectare.

Development of new maize varieties.

Establishment of more eco-friendly strategies for field and post-harvest safety of produce and germplasm to combat the challenges of climate change and resource-poor farmers in order to enhance /improve their level of productivity.