- Mustapha advocates for collaboration between media, academia, biotechnology industry to overcome hunger
BYDELEOGBODO
The Federal Government has expressed confidence that crops produced through biotechnology process in the country including those imported into the country are safe for consumption.
This came on the heels of the declaration of state of emergency on Nigeria’s food security sector by President Bola Tinubu recently.
There is no doubt that the deployment of crude and obsolete tools like hoes and cutlases by Nigerian farmers, the population increase of more than 200 million, the emergence of floods/drought/climate change, land impoverishment and several other factors have heightened the call for the state of emergency by not only the President Tinubu but by well-meaning Nigerians in the critical sector.
Expressing Federal Government’s optimism on the National Biotechnology Development Agency’s breakthrough on PBR Cowpea/beans, Teller Maize and other crops in the pipeline, the Director General/CEO, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Yemisi Asagbra underscored that from her scientific pedigree and now a regulator of crops produced using biotechnology tools including imported crops background, they are safe for consumption.
Asagbra, spoke at the sideline of a sensitization workshop organized by NABDA for Editors of Nigerian Media in Abuja over the weekend with the theme: ‘Sensitization Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology for Editors with the Theme: “The Role of Editors in Communicating Agricultural Biotechnology.
While asserting her confidence on safety of crops produced through biotechnology tools, the DG, said, her agency (NBMA) regulates modem biotechnology, GMOs importation, exportation and the safe production and consumption.
She said: “We make sure that the process of regulating GM crops is done properly and that they have confined field trials where we see that what they are doing will bring out safe food for Nigerians. NABDA however has always been doing it right.
“We statutorily and normally carry out regular surveillance and presently we have not seen anything to the contrary.”
Addressing safety concerns, Asagbra, added: “Now I’m in the regulatory space and I can now talk from the two sides and let Nigerians have the confidence that GMOs are well regulating and the imported ones that are coming into the country that we see that have been able to certify them safe.
On the President’s declaration of emergency in the food sector, she said and interestingly that is something that the President Bola Tinubu has declared an emergency on food security and this is where agricultural biotechnology comes into play and the regulation to make sure that what is being produced is safe.
According to her, first world countries are ahead of Nigeria and other developing world because they are implementing agriculture biotechnology.
She expressed excitement that Nigerian scientists are living up to the billing in Africa with the progress being made with the recently released biotechnology crops.
“I see this programme and time as platform where Nigerian scientists can be showcased and appreciated to say that they are able to bring out products that are safe and can help Nigeria’s food security dilemma.
“NBMA will make sure that what is coming out from agricultural biotechnology is safe for Nigerians, animals and the plant flora and the general environment and we will sure that we fulfil the 2015 Act as amended that is backing us up.
Speaking before declaring the sensitization workshop opened, the host DG who is also CEO of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, acknowledged thatbiotechnology is a transformative force that holds immense potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our country, Africa and the world at large.
He said: “From healthcare to agriculture, energy to environment, biotechnology offers solutions that can significantly impact the well-being of our citizens and the sustainability of our resources.
“As editors, you play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information. The power of media in shaping narratives and public perception cannot be overstated. Hence, your role in communicating agricultural biotechnology to the masses is crucial for fostering understanding, dialogue, and informed decision-making.”
The DG, urged the media to strive for accuracy and credibility in their reportage adding that agricultural biotechnology is a complex field, and presenting accurate information is paramount to ensure that the public receives reliable and trustworthy knowledge.
According to him, fact-checking and verification of sources are essential practices to uphold the integrity of the information you deliver.
On associated challenges inherent in reporting science, Mustapha, said: “I encourage you to bridge the gap between scientific language and the layperson’s understanding.
“Agricultural biotechnology can sometimes be laden with technical jargons that may be difficult for the public to grasp. It is your responsibility to translate these scientific concepts into accessible language, enabling everyone to comprehend and appreciate the significance of biotechnological advancements.
“While exploring the benefits of agricultural biotechnology, you should also be mindful of addressing potential risks and ethical considerations. As editors, you have the responsibility to provide a balanced view, incorporating diverse perspectives on biotechnology-related issues.
“Facilitating public discourse on the ethical implications and societal impact of biotechnology will help shape policies that prioritize safety, equity, and sustainability.”
The DG charged the editors to showcase success stories and examples of agricultural biotechnology applications, highlighting real-life examples of how biotechnology has positively influenced agriculture which can inspire the public and demonstrate the tangible benefits of this innovation.
He said: “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% destruction on the farmers’ field.
“Today, our farmers are applying only 2 insecticide sprays as against 8 to 10 sprays previously as a result of planting the PBR Cowpea.
“Our farmers are also planting Bt. Cotton, another innovative product from modern biotechnology that is changing the game in cotton farming and the hope of the textile industry revival is on course.”
He advocated for collaboration and partnerships between the media, academia, and the biotechnology industry even as he added that it is crucial for the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
By working together, he said: “We can ensure that accurate information is readily available to the public, leading to a more informed and engaged society.
“As we progress through this workshop, I urge you to foster networks and relationships that will facilitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation in the realm of biotechnology communication.
Let me assure you that, the Federal Government is determined to improve agricultural productivity in the country and NABDA and other related organizations were established to fast-track this.
He reiterated that NABDA is a federal government agency charged with the responsibilities of promoting biotechnology activities that positively respond to national aspirations on food security, job/wealth creation, affordable healthcare delivery, and sustainable environment.
According to him, it is the duty of the agency to make biotechnology an engine of growth for socio-economic development of Nigeria by promoting, coordinating, and deploying cutting-edge biotechnology research and development, processes, and products for the socio-economic well-being of the nation in the areas of agriculture, health, environment, food and industry, he added.
“We have created awareness on this innovative technology to various stakeholders especially farmers/ extension agents and today am here with you, members of the 4th estate on the need for us as a country to embrace this emerging technology to ensure the availability of improved and quality seeds, improved farmers livelihood because of the bumper harvest they will be experiencing and more importantly attract the younger generation into farming.
“I have great confidence that the collective efforts of editors in Nigeria can significantly contribute to the responsible and effective communication of agricultural biotechnology. Your work can empower our citizens to embrace and appreciate the potentials of biotechnology in shaping a brighter and sustainable future for our nation.” He said.
Also, fielding questions from the editors at the sideline of the event, Dr. Rose Gidado, the Director, Agriculture Biotechnology, NABDA, added that training the editors has become crucial even as she said: “We are talking about scientific products, that is: scientifically Modified Organisms referred to as GMOs.
“These crops are produced through high level precision with scientifically proven field trials across the country by Nigerian scientists to impact our communities. If we don’t tell the story about the technology to Nigerians it ironically will not have impact on the country’s food security dialogue.
Still on the sensitization, she added: “We have to bring in the editors to educate them because most times we deal with reporters and sometimes the reporters get what he wants because the reporters’ stories are edited by the editors and so sometimes the reporters may not get what he wants when the stories come out, they will always say that it is the editors.
“The editors too need to understand that the technology is meant to help humanity and that it is meant to empower and improves the lives of farmers through getting high yields from the crops that they plant.”
She acknowledged that climate change, insect infestation and drought have impacted food and crop production in the country, adding that Nigeria has one of the fastest growing populations in the world.
Gidado, said: “We need to think out of the box as scientists to actually develop crops to solve these challenges that will help the farmers which is the source of their livelihood.”
