National Biosafety Management Agency says Nigeria has achieved an advance Science and technological breakthrough in the production of disease and draught resistant crops such as Cowpea, Maize and Cotton.
The Director, Biosafety Enforcement of the Agency Hajiya Hawa’u Tahir Ahmed announced this at a one day media training on Genetically Modified Organisms GMO organized by the Institute of Agricultural Research Zaria.
She stated that the Agency is the authority responsible for the regulation of genetically modified organisms and dismissed myths and misconceptions about the Agricultural products.
Hajiya Hauwa Tahir Ahmed maintained that the only difference in the crops is that the modified Cowpea, maize and cotton have been able resist diseases and draught after an intensive research while normal ones could not.
“This is a training that is about genetically modified organisms popularly known as GMOs. There’s a lot of stories going on, especially in the social media, about how unsafe GMOs are. So we’re bringing the journalists together to enlighten them on what GMOs are and to also assure them that the National Biosafety Management Agency says GMO are safe for human, animal, and the environment.”
According to the Director, only the Three Agricultural Products, Cowpea, Maize and Cotton are have been modified and approved for Nigerian Markets.
The Professor of Genetics and Breeding in the Institute Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku who is the first global cowpea researcher said Federal Government created and mandated the institute to conduct intensive researches on food improvement, safety and availability.
He said the new innovation has been able to eliminate fears against cowpea diseases caused by insects and improved farmers confidence and bounty harvests.
Professor Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku noted that within the next 3 years, the institute will produce Beans that can be stored by farmers after harvest without Chemicals being applied and free from insects such as weavils.
Also speaking, the Director of plant science with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Yahaya emphasized that the sensitization training on the improved seeds became necessary to dispell negative unfounded publicity against indigenous technologies.
He narrated that a strong bond has been established between the Agricultural Regulatory bodies and Nigerian customs who are well trained on illegal importation of crops into the country.
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