By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Wednesday commended the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the Institute for Agriculture Research (IAR) on their feat through the discoveries of TELA Maize, Bt. Cotton and Cowpea using modern biotechnology tools and applications to boost Nigeria’s food production.
Chief Nnaji, who was excited at the ‘Seeing is Believing Tour’ to the TELA Maize trial site project at NABDA’s Headquarters in Abuja, acknowledged the various achievements by the agency is no doubt a panacea to Nigeria’s food insecurity.
Addressing a cross section of staff, representatives of international agencies and the media after the inspection, he said: “The feats achieved in TELA Maiza, Bt. Cotton, and Cowpea are more than scientific milestones as they echo Nigeria’s resilience, determination and progressive spirit.”
According to him, the feats synchronised with President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration on food security, explaining that with the discoveries, Nigeria is now among the league of nations using science and technology to solve food security challenges, deliver healthcare, green energy and environmental sustainability.
This, he said, is consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, adding that it is, therefore, a momentum worth sustaining.
On NABDA’s overarching role in national development, Chief Nnaji, said: “Working hand in hand with MDAs and with international partners, it is certain that biotechnology will drive Nigeria towards unprecedented heights.
While still commending, the agency, he said: “NABDA’s vision is a testament to our country’s ambition and a beacon of hope extending across several key domains, including agriculture, healthcare, industrial processes, environmental sustainability, and overall economic growth.
“NABDA is an indispensable driver of innovation, economic development, and sustainability in Nigeria, leveraging the power of biotechnology to address critical national challenges, from agricultural productivity to healthcare while opening doors to new industries and global competitiveness.
“Our mission is also crucial in driving food security in Nigeria, directly impacting our country’s ability to produce and provide sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for our growing population.
“Therefore, I am here to see for myself the giant strides of the agency in cutting-edge biotechnology, which is a strong and vibrant tool of the 21st century.
“NABDA, in collaboration with national and international partners, Bayer, AATF, NBMA, ARCN, IAR, Seed Council, etc, has advanced in genetic technology adoption, being the first country in the world to release Pod Borer Resistant Beans (Cowpea), and the second in Africa to deregulate TELA maize making it ready for commercial release.”
The Minister, acknowledged that TELA Maize is a crop that is drought-tolerant and insect-resistant, providing protection against drought, protection against stem borers, and significant protection against Fall Army Worms (FAW).
This drought-resistant, resilient-on-pests, innovative maize species is indeed a game-changer, he added.
He said: “Beyond the crop’s reduced reliance on chemicals, the economic implications are profound, adding…this innovation will counteract the annual Fall Army Worm-induced losses exceeding $268 million.
“It will also save Nigeria a significant foreign exchange in the importation of maize over 400,000 metric tons and $15.2 million annually.
“I am profoundly encouraged by this feat and shall work with you and other relevant agriculture and food security stakeholders to ensure that most Nigerian grain farmers have low-cost access to this uniquely innovated and highly profitable maize variety.
“In our journey towards green energy, NABDA’s pioneering work in bio-energy stands out. Introducing unique equipment to assess the bio-methane potentials of bio-mass is groundbreaking.
“This venture moves us closer to our 5% biomass energy target and promises employment for thousands of our country’s youth and women, especially in rural areas.
“The strides made in BT cotton commercialization and adopting the Mahyco Bollgard II Hybrid seed promises to reshape our cotton industry, ensuring higher yields, enhanced quality, and cost-effective pest management.”
He pledged that government will do all necessary to bolster agency’s sustained efforts considerably and ensure that cotton-dependent sectors leverage this feat to breathe the much-needed life, resuscitate dying and dead firms, and significantly create new jobs.
In a remark, the Director General/CEO of NABDA, Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi, said the agency has been able to create the necessary awareness amongst the political class, farmers, and the public on the importance of biotechnology to Nigeria’s national development.
The DG, said: “NABDA’s efforts and the gains of our farmers are making from commercially planting the two Biotech crop varieties (Bt Cotton with potential yield of 4.1 to 4.4 tonnes /hectare as against 650-960kg of the local variety and Bt Cowpea with potential yield of 2.9-3 tonnes/hectare as against the local variety with 350 kg /hectare all developed by scientists at IAR, Zaria in partnership with NABDA, AATF Kenya, other national and international collaborators.”
According to him, more biotech crops are on the way and NABDA is working hand in hand with other partnering institutions to fast track the President food security agenda.
The visit of the Minister, Abdullahi, said not only acknowledges the agency’s achievements but also inspires the staff to redouble their efforts in the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries cutting across the field of agriculture, medicine, industry, pharmacy and environment.