Agriculture with Jimoh

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has been granted a permit to carry out Confined Field Trials (CFT) of genetically modified cassava (AMY3 RNAi Transgenic lines). This is contained in a statement signed by IITA Head of Communication, Mrs Catherine Lopez, and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan. The statement said that the research, carried out in collaboration with ETHZ Plant Biotechnology Lab in Zurich, was aimed at reducing starch breakdown in storage roots of cassava after pruning the shoots, prior to harvest of the crop. It also said that the objective was to obtain storage roots with lower post-harvest physiological degradation, without any loss of the nutritious starch. It noted that cassava was an important starchy food crop in sub-Saharan Africa as well as other tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The statement said that one of the challenges facing cassava farmers in the country was the high lev...

National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two agencies in efforts to regulate the use of genetically modified organisms and products in the country. A statement issued by NBMA in Abuja on Thursday said that the agencies were the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC). NBMA Director-General Rufus Ebegba said that the MoU presented to the three agencies the needed platform for synergy and opportunity to fast-track the management of issues of genetic modification to safeguard the health of Nigerians and the environment. He said that the MoU remained a landmark development in the management of Biosafety issues in the country, as it would empower the agencies to speak with one voice on Biosafety issues. “The controversy surrounding GMOs will not abate soon; therefore, it is important for us, as government, to work together and be courageous to say the truth wit...

The National Biosafety Management Agency says it will partner with the media to strengthen awareness campaign on the importance, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country. Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of the agency made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. He said efforts had been made through the media to sensitise the public to the responsibility of the agency in ensuring an adequate level of protection, conservation and use of biological diversity. “We have also taken into account the risk of human health in the application of modern biotechnology. “The agency’s responsibility is for the safety of Nigerians. However, in the course of discharging our duties, there have been some reactions which may not be unusual because this is a very new thing. “But some of the outcry in some sectors, as I would always explain, is borne out of misinformation and misconception. ...

The United States is the newest member of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, a ground-breaking instrument that works to strengthen global food security by promoting the conservation, sharing, and sustainable use of agricultural plant genetic resources. Today FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and Thomas M. Duffy, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy to Rome, marked the entry into force of the treaty for the United States during a ceremony at the UN food agency's Rome headquarters. "The United States looks forward to working with U.S. stakeholders and international partners to continue to strengthen the Treaty to conserve the resources needed for agricultural productivity, resilience and food security," said Duffy. "We welcome the membership of the United State of America and we hope that as new countries join the International Treaty, the increased exchange of material and the fl...

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says its Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Nigerian Customs Service will checkmate unapproved Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to have their ways into the country. Director General of the agency, Dr Rufus Ebegba made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. He said that the step would strengthen the working relationship between the two agencies as a way of regulating the importation of GM foods and to ensure that only safe GM foods were allowed into the country. “ Due to the sensitive nature of GMO, it is imperative for both agencies to work together as our mandatory functions are to ensure total compliance with conditions of safe environment and health.’’ He reiterated the readiness of the agency to ensure total and holistic biosafety in the application of modern biotechnology in the country. “ We are working closely with line agencies, like the Nig...

A don, Mr Femi Aluko, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to deepen efforts toward use of genetic engineering in agriculture for sustainability, food security and production of novel biomaterials. Aluko, who is a Lecturer, Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. According to him, genetic engineering allows for the transfer of DNA between organisms, whether closely or distantly related. “This sets a stage for potentially extremely beneficial advancement in crop breeding as we can derive more of the materials in the future from plants and animals produced by our farmers,’’ the lecturer said. NAN reports that genetic engineering also known as genetic modification is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and acr...

The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) is to generate more improved “Early Generation Seeds’’ to boost food production in the country. The Director-General of NASC, Dr Philip Ojo, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the stakeholders’ workshop on “Addressing Challenges of Early Generation Seeds in the National Seed System of Nigeria’’. He said that the essence of the workshop was to ensure that Nigeria produced enough “early generation seeds’’ for multiplication and use in the country. “ By `early generation seeds’, I mean breeder and foundation seeds, so that farmers could have access to good quality seeds to boost food production in the country. “ We want to look at the capacity of seed breeding institutions; we want to see what they are doing, their challenges and ways forward, so as to provide solutions to those challenges,’’ he said. Ojo said that NASC, in line with its mandate of regulating the seed industries, was eager to transform the country’s seed ...

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, says Nigeria has not adopted Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetic technology in agriculture and food production. The minister said this when he appeared on a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja. Ogbeh said that although genetic modifications had been taking place in America, Nigeria had yet to adopt the technology to boost its food production. He said that the Federal Government was, however, repositioning its research institutes and universities of agriculture across the country to conduct research on how to boost agricultural production and attain food security. “I am aware there is skepticism, not to say fear. “But the Americans will say that the Europeans are simply jealous, that as far as they are concerned, genetic modification is permanently taking place; that is what they say. “Bees carry pollen from one plant to another and transfer characters; so, the Ame...

The Bishop of the Catholic Arch Diocese of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has said that the Catholic Church has nothing against or for the controversial Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. The Bishop made the position known in Abuja on Tuesday at a one day workshop tagged: Agricultural Biotechnology Regulation of Genetically Modified organism in Nigeria: Faith Based Perspectives. Cardinal Onaiyekan, who was represented by his Auxiliary, Most. Rev. Anselm Umoren at the occasion said the Catholic Church does not have anything against GMO or against it, but believes that Biotechnology is about science, which is about many other things that are much more natural than manipulation of genes for certain results. He said that the issue of GMO will continue to generate tension in the country until all the scientific proofs are substantiated and certified. ‘‘The catholic Church has nothing or against GMO. The issue of GMO will conti...

The Federal Government has denied that it had imported and flooded the nation’s markets with Genetically Modified rice. The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba made the position of government known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an online news platform had alleged that the Federal Government through a firm had flooded the nation’s market with poisonous GM rice. Ebegba said that there was no iota of truth in the report, noting that no GM rice had either been imported or released officially into the country. According to him, `no GMO rice has been commercially released anywhere in the world. He said that the Federal Government had banned the importation of rice and there was no indication that the ban had been lifted. Ebegba described the online report as a falsehood and imagination of the writer, who “probably used a fake name.’’ He added that th...

Some farmers strongly believe that organic farming is capable ensuring food sufficiency in Nigeria, following the global debates on the sustainability of organic agriculture and the need for Genetically Modified foods (GMO). Although organic farming is new in Nigeria, Mrs Oluyinka Odusanya, National Secretary, Organic Network in Nigeria is optimistic that its sustainability would boost all sections of farming. Odusanya, popularly called ‘Lady organic,’ told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that over 85 per cent of Uganda’s farming production was organic because farmers had embraced it. “Organic Agriculture is sustainable, right now in Uganda, 85 per cent, cutting across all farmers are into organic farming. “If we want it to be sustainable in Nigeria everybody must be involved,” she said. Speaking on the process of organic fertiliser, Odusanya told NAN that farmers were yet to understand the formation, adding that the more the manure, the faster th...

The Alliance of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs for Effective Biosafety for the Development of Modern Biotechnology in Nigeria has taken a swipe at the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh on his recent statement in which he was quoted as saying that Nigeria would not embrace GMO seeds, describing the statement as a policy summersault. At a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, a member of the Coordinating Committee for the CSOs, Edel-Quinn Agbaegbu said the statement credited to the minister was not only embarrassing but devastating to the agricultural policy and the diversification plan of the present administration to move Nigeria away from hunger and food importation. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development had during the town hall meeting with Youths in the Banquette Hall of Presidential Villa on 18 December, 2016 stated that the Federal Government was still apprehensive of Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) and that he wa...

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says the agency is poised to achieve greater heights in biotechnology research this year in spite of the challenges of 2016. Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, the Director-General of the agency Ogbadu, who  made this resolve in an interview on Thursday in Abuja, specifically mentioned the turbulence of anti-GMO crusaders in 2016, saying that the agency was able to weather the storm. “ 2016 was a year when the agency faced its fiercest opposition on the account of people and organisations opposed to genetically modified foods but the agency has come out stronger. “In view of the extreme care and caution with which the GMO technique is conducted, there are no risks or hazards resulting from products that emanate from GMOs. “Genetically modifies products are not new to mankind as it includes the yogurt that is consumed without fear and vaccines that is administered for healthcare. “I reiterate that these products though ...

By Alex Abutu In the last ten years or there about, a group of activists have held the country to ransom instilling unnecessary fears in the minds of people as well as spreading unscientific facts about genetically modified organisms. This group have been singing the same song of fear, not safe, dangerous, negative impact on environment, development of super weed, super insect, monopoly of Monsanto, farmers will become dependent on seed companies among others that have made it difficult for Nigerians to make up their minds on the technology. These groups which now write letters and petitions to Mr President and who-so-ever they think is important hinged their campaigns on the fact the Europe detest genetically modification so why should Nigeria accept such alien invasion of our natural habitat that will contaminate the environment and endanger our lives. Globally, anti GM groups have stalled the commercialization of GM crops based on misconceptions, ignorance and fear...

An Agriculture and Biotechnology expert has described as false the claim that the proliferation of genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) will wipe out natural crops. Mr Yarama Ndirpaya, acting Director, Partnership and Linkages, Agricultural Research Institute of Nigeria, stated this an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. “The issue of GMO wiping out natural seeds is not correct, Genetically Modified seeds are supposed to exist side by side with the traditional seeds. “We don’t even necessarily go for genetically modified crops except for some scientific reasons. “And most of the reasons why we use genetically modified seeds in agriculture are either to combat one terrible disease or to combat one terrible insect resistance, weed resistance or herbicide resistance. “What do we do in genetic modification is not necessarily to create a crop that will kind of compete with our natural crops. “But to create crops based on advantage where we kno...

 The Federal Government says the current hike in price of fertiliser is as a result of security concerns as criminal elements are using its components to make bombs and other explosives. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a Special Town Hall Meeting for Youths organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture. The minister said that fertiliser being sold for N10,000 per bag was because the security agencies placed hold on its distribution. “Fertiliser came late this year due to security challenges. “We started moving fertiliser in February to meet up with the farming season but the national security agency stop us from moving it. “Over 400 trailer loads of fertilisers were held down in Lokoja for two months because Boko haram were converting urea among other fertilizer component to make bombs. “ It took two and half months to get arrangement from security agencies to escort fertilisers from the ...

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has warned against importation of illegal Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into the country. The Director General of the agency, Mr Rufus Ebegba, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday. He said that the agency was currently surveying possible GMO suspects in the country. Ebegba expressed regret that many importers were taking advantage of the country’s porous borders to bring in some illegal genetically modified products. The director-general said the agency was collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to stop illegal importation of the products. According to him, trained officials of the agency are picking suspected genetically modified products from supermarkets and analysing them to make sure they are not harmful to human health. ``We are presently carrying out survey of possible GMO suspects that has come into the country unofficially. ``We w...

Some farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said there would be a bountiful harvest in 2016 farming season, following the current adequate rainfall in the territory. The farmers, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday said that the two days rainfall in the territory was an indication of good harvest especially yams. Mr Zaka Habila, a farmer from Gaube village in Kuje FCT, said with adequate rainfall, some yam species will grow up to two feet size. ``We thank God for this two days rain because it will make the crops in our farms to grow properly, especially root crops. ``Yam species like `akuci, army and gwagwa' can grow up to two feet size if they get adequate rainfall because it makes the soil soft for yam roots to penetrate downward. ``Adequate rainfall will also assist the proper growth of maize, millet and groundnut on farms as it nourishes the crop leaves to grow well,'' habila said. Mr Isuwa Gaza...

By  AlhajiIsiaka Yusuf The Minister of Environment,Amina Mohammed has called on Nigerians not to panic over the issue of Genetically

GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has assured farmers in the state of judicious disbursement of the N1billion Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme Loan which the State recently secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria, warning that it was not for internet farmers. The governor also told Abia people not to pity him over the present poor revenue of the State, saying that God would handle the situation. Speaking at a town hall meeting with the people of Abia Central Senatorial District, Ikpeazu said that he would strictly monitor and ensure that the loan was not used a political patronage but must go to genuine farmers who would use the funds to improve agriculture in the State to ensure food sufficiency. "Let me inform you that we have received N1billion agricultural loan from the CBN. This loan, I assure you, will be judiciously distributed to genuine farmers amongst us. I know our farmers, and let me inform political farmers whose farms are on the intern...