The first set of genetically modified crops approved by the Federal Government is to be released in the country in two years, the National Biotechnology Development Agency has said.
The Director-General, NABDA, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, disclosed this at a special session of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology held at the Ministry of Communications in Abuja on [Nov. 23].
Ogbadu named the crops that would be released in two years as rice, beans and sorghum.
According to her, the crops are currently going through the final trial prior to their release by selected farmers.
She explained that the new rice had been fortified with genes that make it nitrogen efficient, water efficient and salt tolerant.
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The bean, on the other hand, has genes that make it pest-resistant so that the farmer can enjoy a good harvest. The sorghum, on the other hand, is fortified with minerals and vitamins.
The NABDA boss said, “The products that are in the pipeline have been carefully selected to meet the needs of our people.”
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