Embracing GMOs, known as genetically modified crops will be helpful if Nigeria wants to meet her set goals to attain reduction on import dependency and food security.
Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), at a workshop held in Lagos, said in a workshop his agency is striving to make sure that only safe genetically modified seeds and grains are allowed into Nigeria for feed and food processing.
He stated that “Globally, safe science and technology have been the main drivers of economic change the world over. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind that is a reason the Nigerian government through the NBMA is ensuring the arrival of only safe application of modern biotechnology for the economic development of the country specifically the agricultural sector.”
Opposition to GMOs
The opinions in Nigeria have continued to divide as a result of debate surrounding Genetically Modified crops. Some set of individuals call for the ban of genetically modified animals and crops due to concerns about their impact on agriculture and the altercation of the ecosystem. Critics argue that GMOs do not guarantee higher yields and do not have better nutritional value than normal crops.
a coalition of civil society organizations said in their demand earlier in the year that “We demand a ban on GMOs and a repeal of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act which came into force in the year 2015 and was reviewed in 2019 to include emerging and even more contentious aspects of extremely risky modern biotechnology,”.
What are GM crops?
Genetically Modified crops are agricultural plants whose DNA has been modified with the use of engineering methods. The aim in most cases is to introduce a new trait to a plant that does not occur naturally in a species.
For instance, food crops can be genetically engineered to be resistant to certain pests, environmental conditions, chemical treatments (e.g resistance to a herbicide), disease, reduction of spoilage, or just to enhance crops nutrient profile.
Safety first
The NMBA boss stated that there is a lot of misinformation about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and the agency has the responsibility of clarifying to the populace.
“I want to use this medium to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government through the Agency is doing everything possible to ensure that we are all safe,” he said.
“Nigerians should learn to trust the federal government and allow the Agency to do what will be in their best interest.
“They need not be afraid as their health and wellbeing are paramount in the mind of the Agency as they relate to Biosafety.”
