Current Phytosanitary Policies to Control the incidence and spread of MLN in Nigeria and Africa, presented at the International Conference on “MLN Diagnostics and Management in Africa,” organized by AGRA (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa) and CIMMYT, 12-14 May, 2015

1. WORKSHOP ON MLN
DIAGNOSTICS AND
MANAGEMENT IN AFRICA
CURRENT PHYTOSANITARY POLICIES TO CONTROL THE INCIDENCE AND
SPREAD OF MAIZE LETHAL NECOSIS DISEASE (MLND) IN AFRICA (NIGERIA)
BY
DR. P. O. OJO
DG, NASC-NIGERIA

2. INTRODUCTION
• Maize or corn is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughout the
world in a range of agro-ecological environments. About 50 species of
maize exist and are of different colours, textures, shapes and sizes.
White, yellow and red are the common types. Maize is rich in vitamin
A, C and E, carbohydrates and essential minerals and contain 9%
protein. They are also rich in dietary fibre and calories which are good
sources of energy. Maize is a good source of food for man, livestock
and raw material for industry.
• Worldwide productions of maize is 785 million tons with United State
producing 42% and Africa 6.5% the largest which is nearly 8 million
tons is from Nigeria.

3. INTRODUCTION CONT’D
• Maize is affected by various pests and diseases, among which is stem
borers, which is capable of causing 20-40% losses during cultivation, downy
mildew, rust, leaf blight, stalk and ear rots, leaf spot, maize streak virus.
Others are ear borers, army worms, cut worms, grain moth, beetle,
weevils, grain borers, root worms, white grubs and striga.
• Maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND)/maize mosaic virus disease (MMVD)
is a serious disease of maize which was first noticed in Kenya in 2011 and
now found in many East African Countries where maize is grown. This
disease affects varieties of maize with visible symptoms of chlorotic
mottling of the leaves, severe stunting and necrosis often leading to plant
death. Losses of up to 100% has been reported in Kenya and Tanzania.

4. INTRODUCTION CONT’D
• Causative Agent: MLND is caused by a mixed infection
between Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and poty
viruses infecting maize. In some cases it is caused by
synergy between Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) and
Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV). This is always
severe.
• No outbreak of the disease has been reported in Nigeria
• Non-the-less, crop pest and disease prevention and control
measures are always adopted through legislatures, policies,
regulations and cultural practices.

5. CURRENT PHYTOSANITARY POLICIES
1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
 National Agricultural Seed Act 72 of 1992 that established the
National Agricultural Seed Council.
 Plant Import Control Act of 1959 as amended in 1970.
 National Biosafety Act of 2015
 National Phytosanitary Regulations enforced by the Nigerian
Agricultural Quarantine Service.
 The New National Agricultural Policy.
 Nigeria is a signatory to International Plant Protection Convention
(IPPC) treaty for international cooperation in plant protection.

6. CURRENT PHYTOSANITARY POLICIES
2. IMPORT RESTRICTION
No seed/planting material is allowed into the country without an approved permit. Plant
import permit is granted to importer before importation of seed.
Importers are not allowed to bring seeds from countries affected by diseases.
At instances of proposed import of seed or planting material from endemic country, pre-
shipment sampling and testing of the crop seed is carried out before import.
Usually approval is only given for importation of seed for research and development
purposes and not for commercial purpose.
Only limited quantity of seeds are allowed which is usually pegged at 5 Kg per variety
except on special cases.
The imported seeds are mainly planted at research stations for proper monitoring and
evaluation before taking to the farmer’s field when found satisfactory.

7. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
3. QUARANTINE SERVICES
Port Inspections are carried out to track seeds/ planting materials
coming into the country.
Imported seeds are screened/ quarantined at the port of entry and
tested for seed health status before release to the importer.
Cordon off disease infected fields and destruction
4. CHEMICAL CONTROL MEASURES
Seeds meant for sales should be treated with appropriated fungicide.
Pesticide to be used should be targeted towards the virus vector for
effectiveness.

8. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
5. CULTURAL METHOD
 The use of good crop rotation system to break the disease/ vector
cycle has been found to be effective.
 All affected fields above threshold level are recommended for
destruction.
 Adjacent fields should be regularly monitored.
 Adoption of appropriate planting period have been found to be
effective in the control of some pests and diseases.

9. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
6. SURVEILLANCE
Monitoring of possible entry points of diseases exotic to the country
is a strategy employed to prevent introduction of new disease.
International Airports, Seaports and Land boarders are manned by
Quarantine Officers who carry out inspection of all seeds/ planting
materials as well as other agricultural products imported to the
country to ensure such materials are pests and diseases free.
The pattern of spread of disease offers clue for intensification of
surveillance at certain locations in the country.

10. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
7. CERTIFICATION
Certification is two-fold:
1. That carried out by the NAQS for the purpose of issuance of phytosanitary
certificate, and
2. That carried out by the NASC for quality assurance of seeds/ planting
materials with due diligence towards ensuring compliance with minimum
field and seed standards for quality seed production.
I. ECOWAS harmonized seed rules and regulations has made certification
compulsory for all classes of seed.
II. NASC, Nigeria adopts ECOWAS standards in her certification scheme.

11. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
8. NATIONAL BREEDING PROGRAMME
 Plant breeding is an effective tool for adapting to new challenges of
biotic and abiotic stresses in agriculture.
 Breeding for diseases resistance/ tolerance is a priority in the
national breeding programme for controlling emerging diseases.
 Plant Breeders shall continually develop new varieties of pest and
disease resistant crop varieties to reduce losses in agricultural
production.

12. CURRENT POLICIES CONT’D
9. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
Cross boarder pest and diseases are better controlled in
collaboration with other countries which is a policy trust in
tackling plant diseases in Nigeria.
Neighbouring countries are engaged in surveillance,
information sharing, awareness campaigns to contain
eminent disease outbreaks.

13. CONCLUSION
• It is established that MLND is transmitted by seed among other
means of transmission and the use of clean, healthy maize seed for
propagation will keep uninfected ecologies free of the disease.
• Efforts should therefore be made to step up phytosanitary measures
to prevent entry of the disease to regions that are free.
• Increase surveillance, restrict movement of seeds from endemic
areas, share information and step up collaboration among African
countries to contain the spread of the disease.