The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.
With the current population of Nigeria which is put at over 140 million people and the need to guarantee food security in the country, many agricultural experts have argued that traditional agricultural practices, characterised by the use of poor seedlings, must give way to modern tools to allow agriculture to grow by double digits.
Biotechnology, many stakeholders in the agricultural sector believe, holds the key to some of the problems in agriculture. They see the joining of Nigeria with other biotechnology countries of the world as a path that will launch the country into the production and commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMO) with the capacity to increase crop production, ensure food security, and improve rural livelihoods.
. . . .
. . . A scientist, Dr James Faruna said that with the adoption of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015, Nigeria is now a player in global biosafety regulation, which now opens avenues for Nigeria to adopt modern biotechnology for economic development.
“I am very optimistic that the use of modern biotechnology will increase productivity in the agricultural sector that would lead to improved socio-economic development of Nigerian farmers and enhanced national economic prosperity. It will also attract foreign investments and earnings from a safe modern biotechnology sector, leading to environmental sustainability, jobs or wealth creation. It can also enhance our food quality and make farmers get reward for their hard work as they will have access to quality seeds,” Faruna stated.
. . . .
Experts believes that if government can encourage and boost the use of biotechnology in agriculture rather frivolous paper work and paying of lip service, Nigeria will eventually be one of the developed countries of the world.
Read full, original post: Reaping The Numerous Benefits Of Biotechnology In Nigeria
