“Biotechnology a Panacea to Malnutrition, Food Security and Economic Growth” – National Experts Following the on-going global campaign to ensure food security on a large scale as well as curb malnutrition in African countries, the Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Professor Lucy Ogbadu has stated that the existing issues can be effectively tackled with the development of biotechnology practices. This she disclosed during an interactive session at the Agra Innovate – agriculture exhibition and conference which held recently in Lagos, Nigeria. According to her, with the development of biotechnology seed, there has been infusion of a high level of vitamin A, iron, zinc, animal protein and other micro-nutrients which hitherto were deficient in staple crops like Cassava, Sorghum, Maize, Soya bean etc., while stating that farmers who adopt the existing technology are at a lesser risk of exposure to the bio-effect of pesticides, as well as protection from insect attacks as insecticide properties have been introduced into some of the seeds. Highlighting some of the achievements attained, she stated that new seed varieties with high yield potentials and adaptability to weather conditions in the Savannah and Sub-Saharan Africa had been developed. Such seeds she noted included – herbicide-tolerant Soyabean and cotton which has been genetically modified to withstand the after-effect of herbicides. Speaking on the inherent capability of biotechnology to enhance yield, she noted that Burkina-Faso’s gross food production had increased to 51 percent and had grossed about $1.2 billion yearly after adopting the biotechnology innovation, noting further that the profitability and livelihoods of farmers in that part of the world had also improved. Nigeria’s technology as observed by Agronomist and Researcher Prince Emma Ajayi who doubles as the Managing Director and CEO SWISS Biostadt, is lagging behind. In his words, “even if we do not want to directly influence the genetics of the food we eat, there could still be a way out to make things right” he added. In view of this, Ajayi revealed that his fears stemmed from the World Food Programme (WFP) postulations which noted that 30 percent of Nigerians are food insecure and that in 2050, over 200 million would be affected. Genetically modified food according to Dr. S.E Aladele, Director/CEO, National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), is safer for consumption as the issue of risk, safety and conduct of GMO had been taken care of by the bio-safety law as risk analysis and assessment has long been carried out. He concluded that with improved seeds and new technology farmers in Nigeria can have a field day.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 11:40:02 +0000
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