AFAN Tasks Farmers On Modern Biotechnology

AFAN

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on farmers to key into agricultural biotechnology to improve their crop production and enhance their productivity.

Alhaji Shettima Mustapha, a member of the board of trustees, AFAN, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

Mustapha, who was also a former Minister of Agriculture (1990-1992), dismissed arguments that genetically modified crops were unhealthy, saying: “they have been tested and accepted in most advanced countries.”

“The whole essence of modern biotechnology is the use of modern scientific techniques including genetic engineering to improve our farm produces.

“The modern techniques is tested and used in other parts of the country without negative effect on human health and environment, but rather improve output.

“Biotech enhances the yields of seeds; with minimum input, it will produce the desired high quantity, which when sold will increase the income of farmers,’’ he said.

Mustapha said the association was planning to create more awareness to farmers in the rural areas, who are yet to be aware of the new technique.

He urged farmers to see this as a welcome development and appreciate government’s effort to take farmers from poverty and out of subsistence farming.

He further called for more awareness among farmers in the rural areas, adding that there was room for improvement in the simple technologies being used in the country.

He equally called on the Federal Government to provide decent and hygienic processing and storage facilities for farmers, especially those in the rural areas for good preservation.

“We need to handle our farm produces properly, starting from when we plant our seed, harvesting to good storage facility in order to meet international standard.

“The processing and production of crops, the poor farmers need assistance by receiving adequate support from government to improve on their productivity,’’ Mustapha said.