As climate shocks intensify across Africa, resilient seed systems are no longer optional, they are essential. Through strategic partnerships with the private seed sector, AATF is transforming DroughtTEGO and TELA Hybrids from a proven innovation into a commercially viable, farmer-preferred solution across diverse African markets. This is the story of catalytic leadership in action, where public–private collaboration accelerates adoption, strengthens seed enterprises, and builds climate-resilient maize value chains at scale. Africa’s farmers stand on the frontline of climate stress, and resilient maize is their lifeline. Through AATF’s catalytic role, DroughtTEGO and TELA hybrids have moved beyond experimental plots into competitive seed markets, unlocking productivity, profitability, and improving livelihoods.
(Photo courtesy: AATF)
From innovation to widespread impact
Over 125 conventional DroughtTEGO hybrids were released through the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) partnership led by AATF in collaboration with CIMMYT, Bayer, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO of Uganda), Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Agricultural Research Council (ARC of South Africa), Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM), Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), and Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR of Nigeria).
These water-efficient maize hybrids, branded DroughtTEGO, are resilient to moderate drought, particularly under erratic rainfall occurring two weeks before and two weeks after flowering. Under moderate drought stress, farmers can achieve yields of 3–5 t/ha, and 8–12 t/ha under optimal rainfall, well above the sub-Saharan Africa smallholder average of 1.0–1.2 t/ha.
Due to their wide adaptability, especially in mid-altitude agro-ecologies, DroughtTEGO hybrids are now commercialized in 13 countries across East, Southern, West, and Central Africa. A strategic licensing model, combined with promotion through the TAAT Maize Compact platform, has enabled over 40 seed companies to integrate these hybrids into their portfolios.
Leveraging the COMESA Harmonized Variety Catalogue has further accelerated regional release and registration, allowing DroughtTEGO hybrids to expand to six more countries beyond initial WEMA countries.
During the 2024/2025 growing seasons, DroughtTEGO hybrids deployed through TAAT Maize Compact intervention sites, achieved yields ranging from 3.6–6.8 t/ha across 10 countries, demonstrating consistent field performance under farmer-managed conditions. If replicated at scale, this productivity leap has the potential to significantly narrow Africa’s maize yield gap and strengthen national and regional food security.
Expanding the resilience portfolio: TELA Bt Hybrids
Beyond conventional drought tolerance, AATF and partners are advancing insect-resistant TELA maize under the Biotech Maize Seed Systems (BMSS) initiative. Nine TELA (Bt) maize hybrids have been released and registered in South Africa and Nigeria, providing protection against stem borers and fall armyworm (FAW).
In Nigeria, TELA hybrids demonstrated up to an 88% yield advantage over older non-Bt varieties grown by farmers, showcasing the powerful synergy between drought tolerance and insect resistance in boosting smallholder productivity.
Scaling impact through markets
The commercialization of DroughtTEGO, TELA (Bt), and StrigAway (for control of Striga weed) technologies demonstrates that when innovation provides solution to farmers, transformation happens. Seed companies licensed by AATF have cumulatively produced over 63,000 metric tons of certified maize seed, sufficient to plant more than 2.5 million hectares and benefit over 6 million smallholder farmers across Africa.
This is more than technological deployment; it is market transformation. Together, resilient seeds and strong partnerships are reshaping Africa’s maize future.
AATF continues to license DroughtTEGO and TELA hybrids to seed companies seeking to strengthen their maize portfolios and grow their businesses while delivering climate-resilient solutions to farmers.
