Nigerian farmers to get genetically modified maize in 18 months: NABDA
The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says genetically modified maize would get to Nigerian farmers in one year and six months.
NABDA’s Director-General, Abdullahi Mustapha, disclosed this at the 5th edition of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards in Abuja.
According to him, the maize variety has already been regulated by the National Biosafety Management Agency, meaning the genes of insert was certified safe by the agency.
He noted that the next phase of commercialisation was crucial to the success, adding that failure to get to farmers would signify a failure of the entire process.
Mr Mustapha applauded the rapid transformation of the agricultural biotechnology sector in Nigeria was undergoing and the progress made with cotton and cowpea.
He said the federal government recognised agricultural biotechnology as one of the pillars that would make meaningful contributions to food security in Nigeria.
He said primitive agricultural practices were facing various challenges, and that technology and innovation held the key to overcoming those challenges.
Country Coordinator, OFAB in Nigeria, Rose Gidado, said scientists and researchers were making progress in the deployment of agricultural biotechnology in the country.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Lawmaker backs legislative bill on femicide
The bill seeks to prevent femicide in the country.
Lagos
Residents count losses as floods destroy homes, businesses in Lagos communities
Lagos residents count losses as rain floods homes across several communities in the state.
Lagos
Lagos police nab suspect over alleged N3 billion cyber fraud
Mr Ewhubare said the suspect was apprehended following an extensive investigation into a sophisticated cyber intrusion targeting a financial institution.
Africa
Xenophobia: Uganda repatriates 1,102 citizens from South Africa
The Ugandan embassy said, “The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise.”
NationWide
CSOs urge assessment of National Assembly’s proposed electoral college for women legislators
“The proposal is unfamiliar to many stakeholders and understandably raises concerns, but we must carefully interrogate it instead of dismissing it outright,” he said.
Hot news Home top
Ryanair passenger partly sucked out of Boeing 737 plane as window dislodges after take-off
A witness said a passenger’s head and shoulders were sticking out of the broken window, and fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside the aircraft.
