GMOs probe, official says farmers are aware

 

As effort to probe already released Genetically Modified ( GM) crops' improved varieties into Nigerian markets by the lower chamber of the National Assembly is ongoing, the Director,  Agricultural Biotechnology Agency,  Dr. Rose Gidado has posited high farmers' awareness of the new improved technology especially in cotton, cowpea and maize.

Last week at the green chamber of the National Assembly, Abuja, a motion by Hon. Muktar Shagaya from Kwara State has called for the suspension of the new entrance of any GM crop into Nigeria until a thorough investigation of the already released ones into the country by the National Biosafety Management Agency ( NBMA) through the National Varietal Release committee are conducted.

The committee on Agricultural production and services has been directed to investigate the safety of the GM crops' Varieties already in the market with respect to food and environment safety within two weeks.

And until the outcome of the investigation, no other GMs should be allowed into the country's markets .

Already about three GM crops varieties including cotton, cowpea and four transgenic maize have been officially released by the National Varietal Release Committee into the market having satisfied superior scientific characteristics of resilience to pest, diseases and climate change resistance to drought and floods over other already existing varieties with environmental safety recommendations from NBMA.

Although, the recently released transgenic maize varieties by the Federal Government (FG) through the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, livestock/ Fisheries had generated concern on farms contamination, food and environmental safely with low awareness about the new improved technology among farmers.

Speaking to Foodfarmnews at a training held for journalists on better reporting on science and GM technology, the Country Director of OFAB, Dr. Rose Gidado pointed out that farmers are enthusiastic about the technology on the farms trials saying that they are even very interested to adopt them on their farms.

Gidado emphasized that farmers are keen to see the effectiveness of GMO crops in their own fields adding that " the past two years, scientists have established demonstration plots on farmers' fields, comparing GMO and non-GMO varieties. The results clearly showed that GMO crops, specifically Tela maize, were more resistant to insect damage"

She highlighted that the Tela maize, now known as SAMMAZ 72, 73, 74 and 75 had been fully integrated into Nigeria's agricultural system, and they are developed to address issues like drought and insect resistance. These varieties are now considered Nigeria's own, having been adapted and indigenized by local breeders and entomologists.