US corn growers share ideas, expertise with Nigerians

Officials were especially interested in increasing corn demand in Nigeria.
Officials were especially interested in increasing corn demand in Nigeria.

Edwin Uche, the director of the Nigerian Corn Growers Association, met with representatives from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to learn how to implement some of NCGA’s practices on Nigerian farms.

Uche was especially interested in increasing corn demand in Nigeria and getting Nigerians to accept biotechnology and ethanol. Currently, corn yield in Nigeria is hampered by pollinated varieties which Uche hopes will be changed by increasing acceptance of biotechnology.

Uche was also able to share his concerns as to how the food vs. fuel idea developed in the U.S. He believes corn provides a way to meet both demands at the same time.

The two organizations hope that this meeting, which was originally set up by Richard Vierling and was also attended by Vice President of Production and Stewardship Paul Bertels, Director of Communications Ken Colombini and Director of Development Joe Hodes, will provide a long-term relationship between the NCGA and their Nigerian counterparts in the future.