Mustapha Abdullahi, the director general, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA), has urged farmers to embrace biotechnology to boost food production in the country.

Mr Abdullahi made this call on Friday in Abuja at the One-day Biosafety and Biotechnology Sensitisation Workshop for Farmers Associations in Nigeria, which had the theme “Empowering Biotechnology: Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability.”

The director-general said using biosafety and biotechnology seeds to boost food security would improve the plight of farmers across the country.

According to him, the benefits of biotechnology are vast and profound as biotech proffers solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector.

“Biotechnology stands as a beacon of hope; it is a transformative force driving agricultural progress across the globe, and farmer associations like yours play a pivotal role as the bedrock of our agricultural landscape.

“This technology will enhance crop yields and improve nutritional content against pests, diseases and adverse environmental conditions; biotechnology offers a spectrum of opportunities to propel our agricultural productivity to new heights,” Mr Abdullahi explained.

Mr Abdullahi said biotechnology would foster sustainable agricultural practices, reduce dependency on harmful chemical inputs, and promote ecological balance.

He added, “With biotechnology, we will safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers and ensure food security for our nation.”

The NABDA boss said farmers’ associations’ partnerships and collaborations would aid the adoption and dissemination of biotechnological innovations.

He urged all farmers to embrace biotechnology as a catalyst for progress and champion its cause within various associations, communities, and states.

Bello Abubakar, the national president of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), said the sensitisation workshop would help farmers improve their production and create wealth.

He assured the maize farmers were already looking forward to planting the Tela maize, knowing the benefits of the improved seedlings.

“Majority of our farmers is aware of the new, improved seeds; I can say that about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of our farmers have already accepted it and are ready to cultivate it,’’ he said.

Mustapha Bakano, the national president of the Cassava Growers Association, said they were looking forward to enhancing their capabilities to improve stem production and to produce seeds en masse.

(NAN)