DroughtTEGO: Drought tolerant and high yield maize varieties

Boost yields, and income with advanced maize.

TEGO is an improved varieties maize technology developed to bolster drought resilience and improve grain output in maize cultivation. Developed through collaborative research efforts, TEGO integrates cutting-edge genetic traits, advanced breeding techniques, and climate-smart agricultural practices to address the pressing challenges posed by erratic rainfall patterns and water scarcity in agricultural landscapes.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

9•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Problem

Erratic Rainfall Patterns and Water Scarcity: The variability in precipitation poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, as crops like maize require sufficient water for optimal growth and development.
Challenges Associated with Drought Resilience: Traditional maize varieties often lack sufficient resilience to withstand prolonged drought conditions, resulting in decreased yields and economic losses for farmers.
Limited Access to Improved Varieties: Farmers in Sub-Saharan African countries face challenges in accessing improved maize varieties due to limited investments in the seed production sector.
Low Productivity in Maize Farming: Conventional maize varieties may not be well-suited for the diverse climatic and soil conditions found in Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to low productivity in maize farming.
Food and Nutritional Insecurity: Limited access to improved maize varieties can contribute to food and nutritional insecurity in the region, affecting both the quantity and quality of harvested grain.

Solution

TEGO, improved maize varieties with enhanced drought tolerance
Breeding of maize hybrids with high yield (20-35% yield increase) potential under drought stress conditions
Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, including conservation agriculture and integrated soil fertility management
Provision of training and extension services on climate-smart agricultural practices
Empowerment of smallholder farmers through access to improved maize varieties and knowledge resources
These varieties are specifically developed to perform well in diverse climatic and soil conditions.

Key points to design your project

This technology addresses water stress in Sub-Saharan maize production, improving productivity and resilience to adverse rainfall. It contributes to climate resilience and SDGs, particularly in food security and poverty reduction. Gender-inclusive access further promotes equitable agricultural development.

To integrate this technology into your project, and create a list of project activities and prerequisites and plan these activities:

Considering the technology cost of 0.8 to 1.2 USD per kg and a requirement of 25 kg per ha, estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project.
As the technology is available in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

For better optimization of the improved maize variety, it is recommended to associate this technology with Imazapyr resistant maize for Striga management (IR maize), Specialized pre-plant fertilizer blending and N topdressing, Maize-legume rotation and intercropping.

To implement the technology in your country, you could collaborate with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies.

According to different countries, here are the suitable individual varieties.

Kenya

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE2104		Medium	9.4	4.8	Drought tolerance
WE2106		Medium	9.1	4.7	Drought tolerance
WE3205		Medium	9	3.4	Drought tolerance
WE5206		Medium	9	3.5	Drought tolerance
WE3102		Early	7.3	4.8	Drought tolerant
WE4115		Medium	8.4	3.5	Drought tolerant
WE3135		Early	7.5	3.5	Drought tolerant & MLN tolerant
WE7118		Medium	8.2	3.4	Drought tolerant & MLN tolerant

Uganda

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE2104		Medium	9.4	4.8	Drought tolerance
WE2106		Medium	9.1	4.7	Drought tolerance
WE2101		Medium	9.8	4.6	Drought tolerant
WE2114		Medium	8.4	4	Drought tolerant
WE2115		Medium	8.5	3	Drought tolerant

Tanzania

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE2112		Medium	8.1	4.7	Drought tolerant
WE2113		Medium	8	4	Drought tolerant
WE3102		Early	7.3	4.8	Drought tolerant
WE3113		Early	7.7	3.5	Drought tolerant
WE3117		Early	7.4	4.3	Drought tolerant
WE4102		Medium	8.5	4.2	Drought tolerant
WE4106		Medium	8.6	4.1	Drought tolerant
WE4110		Medium	8.5	3.9	Drought tolerant
WE4114		Medium	9	3.6	Drought tolerant
WE4115		Medium	8.4	3.5	Drought tolerant
WE3135		Early	7.5	3.5	Drought tolerant & MLN tolerant
WE5141		Medium
WE7118		Medium	8.2	3.4	Drought tolerant & MLN tolerant
WE7133		Medium			Drought tolerant & MLN tolerant

Mozambique

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE2101		Medium	9.8	4.6	Drought tolerant

Zambia

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE2101		Medium	9.8	4.6	Drought tolerant

Ethiopia

Varieties name	Agro-ecology	Duration to maturity	Average yield t/ha (Optimal rainfal)	Average yield t/ha (Moderate drought)	Speial characteristics
WE7210		Medium	9.3	4.8	Drought tolerant

Cost: $$$ 0.8—1.2 USD/kg

Seed selling cost

ROI: $$$ 20—35 %

Yield increased

IP

Trademark

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Africa	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 13: climate action

Selection: Choose the appropriate DroughtTEGO variety based on local climate and soil conditions.
Planting: Follow standard maize planting practices, ensuring optimal soil and fertilizer management.
Nutrient Optimization: In low-fertility soils, supplement with inorganic fertilizers to enhance nutrient uptake.
Complementary Practices: Consider legume intercropping, manure application, and mulching for added nutrients and water retention.