The Federal Government has urged farmers across the country to embrace biotechnology as a ‘catalyst for progress.’
The Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA), Prof Mustapha Abdullahi, while speaking at a one-day biosafety and biotechnology sensitization workshop for farmers’ associations in Abuja, said that the improved biotechnology seeds are significant elements in the reduction of crop production cost.
The event was organized by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter, an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Program for Biosafety Systems (IFPRI-PBS).
Prof Abdullahi reckoned that the benefits of biotechnology are vast and profound, offering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our agricultural sector.
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“From enhanced crop yields and improved nutritional content to resilience against pests, diseases, and adverse environmental conditions, biotechnology offers a spectrum of opportunities to propel our agricultural productivity to new heights.
“Moreover, biotechnology fosters sustainable agricultural practices, reducing the dependency on harmful chemical inputs and promoting ecological balance.
“By harnessing the power of biotechnology, we not only safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers but also ensure food security for our nation,” he said.
Dr. Rose M Gidado, Director Agricultural Biotechnology Department of the agency, said with improved biotech seeds, farm inputs are reduced.
“If you’re doing 10 sprays on a particular crop that is susceptible to insects and pest attacks, you will now do two to three sprays and that’s a lot,” she said.
“Seed is the nerve centre of agriculture, if we get it right at the seed level, everything follows. Biotech seeds are improved seeds. Improved for yield increase, improved for pests and insects resistance and fortified with micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron and zinc which are very necessary for the development of children between the ages of 1 to 4, pregnant and lactating women,” she said.
Dr Gidado said that when the cost of production is reduced, the profit margin increases adding that the improved seeds of biotech when planted have an 80 to 90 per cent germination rate.
In his remarks, Dr. Jean Baptiste, AATF Regional Representative for West Africa, said the event was part of the organisation’s “collective efforts to empower Nigerian farmers with knowledge, resources, and innovative solutions that will drive sustainable agricultural development across the nation.”
