The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has said Nigeria is making progress with commercialisation of Genetically Modified (GMO) foods ànd that the foods will help in ensuring food sufficiency in the country.
Deputy director, NABDA, Dr Rose Gidado, stated this at the first edition of Science Hangout organised by the Alliance for Science Nigeria in collaboration with Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Status and safety of genetically modified crops,” she explained that with the help of science, more farmers are now able to grow crops that are disease resistant, thus translating into higher yields and more food in the pool.
The deputy director further stated that to feed the country’s large population, it was imperative to embrace precision agriculture, made possible by agricultural biotechnology to provide safe,affordable and nutrient-rich food.
She shared success stories of farmers who were already reaping the benefits of some of the improved varieties of crops which had been released.
Gidado, also used the opportunity to clarify myths around GM foods, saying they neither cause cancer or make the body resistant to drugs as being speculated in some quarters.
Earlier, media expert, Greg Odogwu, emphasised the need for journalists to distill information on biotechnology in a manner that makes it easy for people to understand.
He also called on Nigerian farmers to embrace biotechnology as a way to improve crop yield and guarantee food security.
