Ongoing field tests on genetically modified cowpea (Bt cowpea) have produced successful results and will be ready for commercialisation and release onto the local market in 2018.
This was revealed by Principal Investigator in charge of the research project Dr Mumuni Abdulai.
According to Dr Abdulai … the ongoing trials as part of regulatory procedures before the variety can be commercialised, is at an advanced stage.
[T]he plan is to jointly release the cowpea onto the market at the same time as the variety will be ready for release in Nigeria and Burkina Faso where trials are ongoing as well.…
Dr Abdulai says the Bt cowpea variety has shown proven resistance to the pest, allowing plants to survive with less than 20 percent of pesticide required when farmers grow conventional cowpea varieties.
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Once the field trials, which started in 2013, are completed it is expected … an application will be filed with the National Biosafety Authority, the regulator of crops produced using Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) technology for approval before the seeds can be allowed onto the market. Dr Mununi is confident the green light will be given.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: GMO cowpea hits local market next year
