The National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says farmers in Nigeria are maximising the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops, stating that they have reduced the spray of insect controlling chemicals on their beans farms from ten to two sprays.
The Director General of the agency, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, stated this on Friday at Biotechnology and Biosafety Sensitisation Workshop for Guild of Editors in Abuja.
Mustapha stated that there are testimonies already from Nigerian farmers on the benefits of genetically modified crops.
He informed that biotechnology is a transformative force that holds immense potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria and the world at large.
“Already, we have testimonies from farmers across the country who are benefiting from products of modern biotechnology in the country, such as the pod borer resistant cowpea, which is helping farmers overcome the devastating impacts of marcuca vitrata that causes 80 percent destruction on the farmers’ field.
“Today, our farmers are applying only two insecticide sprays as against 8 to 10 sprays previously as a result of planting the PBR Cowpea.
He, however, urged the editors to strive for accuracy and credibility in their reports.
“As editors, you play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information. Hence, your role in communicating agricultural biotechnology to the masses is crucial for fostering understanding, dialogue, and informed decision-making”, he added.
The Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department at NABDA, Dr Rose Gidado said training the Editors is significant and very critical.
“We have to bring in the editors to educate them because most times, we deal with reporter and sometimes the reporters may not get what they want after their stories have been edited by the editors, so the editors too need to understand this technology”, she said.
The Managing Editor, Northern Operation of The Nation Newspaper, Yusuf Alli, said his perception about biotechnology crops changed after attending the workshop.
He said: “I came here with bias, I have never been a believer of biotechnology products, I used to see biotech experts as tempting God, but I have a different perception now. If we want to increase our yield, then we should look the biotechnology direction.”
He appealed to his fellow editors to use their platforms to educate the masses, farmers and entrepreneurs on the importance and safety of biotechnology products.