Experts urge Nigeria to embrace biotechnology
NAN-H-36
Technologies
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) Experts in biotechnology management have recommended the use of improved technologies to boost the country’s agricultural production toward achieving food security.
The experts gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), said biotechnologies like Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are tools in agricultural research, which if embraced would lead to agricultural development.
“We cannot say no to this modern biotechnology in Nigeria but rather to address the issues of food security and sustainability concerns expressed by people through scientific approach.
“I believe that this is the time to revitalise our economy through agriculture by making use of modern technology.
“By biotechnology, the green alternative policy of the government will achieve its goal of ending hunger, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture,’’ Ubi said.
He said that for Nigeria to be food sufficient, it must research and develop modern agricultural practices.
Also, Mr Yarama Ndirpaya, the acting Director, Partnership and Linkages, Agricultural Research Institute of Nigeria, said that biotechnology was the only way out of food scarcity in Nigeria.
“Biotechnology, GMOs or modern agricultural practices are to combat terrible diseases and terrible insect resistance that will not allow for bumper harvest.
“This technology is introduced when we know that there is a need and when traditional measures of breeding have failed.
“We must infuse modern agricultural practices into local cultivation.
“Our farmers can use these modern practices simply with the aim to improve and increase productivity, eliminate diseases and pests that cannot be controlled by conventional methods.’’
Ndirpaya added that biotechnology had the capacity to improve agricultural productivity across the globe, reduce hunger, sustain food security and create wealth through employment.
Also speaking with NAN, a don, Prof. Chidi Uhuegbu, said Nigeria should join other countries across the globe by embracing biotechnology.
“Many developed and developing countries have used GMOs to produce food in abundance and I see no reason why we should not follow suit.
“We should support it and follow the trend as it comes.
“This is because it will aid abundant production not only for consumption but also for export,’’ Uhuegbu, the Dean, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, said. (NAN)
EPA/COF/MST
Editing by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola