August 29, (THEWILL) – The Alliance for Science Nigeria (ASN) has advocated the use of biotechnology in Nigeria’s food system, saying it will address food insecurity in the country.
The food experts made this call in Calabar during a Science Hangout organised by the ASN to enlighten the public on the benefits of biotechnology.
The hangout is a public education on biosafety regulations and biotechnology applications in Nigeria. It was held in partnership with Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Nigeria and themed, ‘Food security, socio economic development and genetically modified crops in Nigeria.’
Speaking during the hangout, the Coordinator of ASN, Opuah Abeikwen, said that despite breakthroughs, the concept is unknown to many.
“Despite the various breakthroughs that biotechnology has shown, there is still a public misunderstanding of its benefits.
“In Nigeria, a report released early this year 2022 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) estimated that the universal food crisis will affect 19.4 million Nigerians in 21 states
“The concept of biotechnology is unknown to many, therefore, public enlightenment on its use, benefits and contributions are crucial to enhancing food security and socio-economic activities in the country” he said.
He said the ASN is a body of stakeholders that seek to promote scientific innovation to enhance food security, improve environmental sustain and raise the quality of living standards.
On her part, Dr Rose Maxwell Gidado, the Country Coordinator of OFAB Nigeria Chapter said biotechnology tools can enable plant breeders engineer plants particularly staple crops.
These she said include rice, corn, cassava and others to express vital micro nutrients that are necessary to fight hidden hunger.
“The application of agriculture biotechnology to create more fertile and resistant plant resources has been used to achieve food security in some advanced countries,” she said.
Also speaking, the guest lecturer and Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research ABU, Zaria Professor Mohammad Ishiyaku said there is a potential for development from science which our society should leverage on.
He affirmed that bio-technology can provide solutions to some of our challenges in the agricultural sector.
“The role of GM crops is to improve the productivity of the crops to enable them to withstand adverse weather effects like drought, heat and improve their nutritional effect.
“We are constrained by many factors in the field so simple technologies like biotechnology can provide solutions to this,” he said.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
