GMO : Don raises concerns over involvement in rubber, food production

Professor Uche Amalu, a don at University of Calabar,  has raised serious concerns on the increasing involvement of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria's rubber and food production system.

Prof. Uche Amalu expressed his reservations during last year's council meeting when the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria ( RRIN) presented a paper by Dr. Lelia Dongo.

Amala warned that there is need to check use of GMOs in the rubber industry because it could have significant long-term implications on the country’s agricultural sustainability, environmental health, and food security.

The don, who serves as a professor in the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, emphasized that while the application of GMOs could provide short-term solutions to agricultural challenges in pests, diseases, and poor yields, stressed there were serious risks that needed to be addressed through comprehensive research and robust regulations.

One of the primary areas of concern for Prof. Amalu is the increasing introduction of GMOs into the rubber industry, as he noted with mixed feelings that genetically engineered rubber trees are being promoted for being resistant to diseases like the South American leaf blight.

He warned against the planting of such rubber trees in commercial farms across the country, saying that while these modifications promise increased productivity and resilience, he also warned that their environmental and ecological impacts have not been fully evaluated within Nigeria’s unique climatic and soil conditions.

Amalu said that “ There are potential risks involved with the use of GMOs in rubber production. We have to be careful about how these modified organisms interact with our natural ecosystems. Introducing GMOs into our rubber plantations may inadvertently affect soil biodiversity, non-GMO rubber species, and even pollinators that are critical for crop productivity. In the long term, we could face unintended ecological consequences that might be difficult or impossible to reverse.”

The UniCal don also raised concerns about the potential economic implications for smallholder farmers, who represent a significant portion of Nigeria's rubber production as he argued that reliance on genetically modified crops could exacerbate the divide between large-scale agribusinesses and local farmers in terms of purchasing GMO seeds and other necessary inputs.

His concerns is not limited to rubber cultivation. He also pointed to the growing use of GMOs in food production, particularly in staple crops such as maize, cassava, and rice, as he highlighted the potential benefits of GMOs, such as increased yields, pest resistance, and improved nutritional content, but  however, stressed that these benefits must be weighed against the potential risks, especially in the context of food security in Nigeria.

“The promise of GMOs in food production cannot be ignored, but we must approach this technology with caution. If we fail to fully assess the long-term health impacts, environmental sustainability, and economic ramifications, we may find ourselves locked into a model of agriculture that favors multinational corporations at the expense of the local food system.”

Amalu further explained that the introduction of GMOs into Nigeria's food supply could alter local agricultural practices and consumer preferences. There is concern among some groups that the widespread use of GMOs could erode the genetic diversity of traditional crops and lead to the dominance of a few modified varieties, reducing the resilience of the food system to future challenges, such as climate change or pest outbreaks.

Additionally, the potential health effects of consuming GMO foods have been a point of contention globally. While most scientific studies have not found definitive evidence of harm from GMOs, Amala underscored the importance of conducting local research to determine their safety and long-term health impacts on the Nigerian population. 

He also pointed out that consumer perceptions of GMOs remain divided with some segments of the population expressing distrust toward genetically engineered foods.

Amalu called for more rigorous regulation of GMOs in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for robust scientific research, comprehensive risk assessments, and public engagement before GMOs are introduced on a large scale as he commended the extablishment of National Bio-safety Commission with the mandate to review and approve all GMO applications ensuring they meet stringent environmental, health, and socio-economic standards.

He also stressed the importance of investing in local agricultural research to explore alternative, sustainable farming practices. He highlighted the need to support traditional breeding methods, agroecological approaches, and organic farming to complement the potential benefits of biotechnology, without compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s agricultural heritage.

“There is a growing need for us to invest in homegrown solutions to our agricultural challenges. While GMOs might have a role to play in the future of farming, they should not be the only answer. Our focus should be on building a resilient, diverse, and sustainable agricultural system that serves the needs of Nigerian farmers and consumers.”

Nigeria’s position on GMOs has been a subject of ongoing debate. While the country has made strides in embracing biotechnology, including the approval of GM cotton and cowpea varieties, the broader acceptance of GMOs in food and cash crops is still a contentious issue.

“We must ensure that our adoption of GMOs is informed by thorough research, strict regulations, and a commitment to safeguarding the interests of our farmers, the environment, and the consumers,” said Amala.

He added that the future of GMOs in Nigeria’s rubber and food production industries will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of intense debate as the country seeks sustainable solutions to its agricultural challenges, thereby calling for greater transparency, scientific inquiry, and regulatory oversight remain paramount in shaping the trajectory of biotechnology in the nation.