The Genetics Society of Nigeria (GSN) has called for gene banks to be replicated in all six geopolitical zones of the country to avoid total loss in the event of unforeseen calamity.
In a communiqué at the end of its 39th annual conference in Yelwa, the GSN also called for individual state governments to establish biotechnology development agencies to “harness and exploit the huge biodiversity reservoir for generation of income and employment opportunities, especially for the youth.”
It said Nigeria should explore alternatives to reduce genetic erosion of forest resources.
Additionally, GSN said the country must encourage public awareness about genetically modified organisms, citing poor knowledge about the phenomenon.
It also in particular spoke of need to review breeding strategies and priorities, species, region by region to ensure that the products of genetic improvement programmes are relevant to the challenges of Nigerians.
Bauchi state governor Mohammed Abubakar has advocated using genetic knowledge to address poverty, underdevelopment and disease.
In comments delivered on his behalf, he said genetics was a strategic position in the socio-economic advancement and development and charged geneticists at the conference to team up with various stakeholders to solve the complex problems of hunger, poverty and food insecurity.
It comes amidst concern about federal and state governments looking to intensify efforts to contain the menace of insecurity in the Northeast sub-region to avert its effects on humans and biodiversity.
GSN has said rebuilding bio-resources should form part of the reconstruction programme for the areas affected by insurgency in order to help farmers and researchers involved in breeding activities to continue their work and promote sustainable biodiversity conservation and exploitation.
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