

How GMO crops can benefit Nigerian farmers

The GLP curated this excerpt as part of a daily selection of biotechnology-related news, opinion and analysis.

The application of modern Biotechnology in an integrated multi-disciplinary approach can be a valuable ‘tool’ for addressing the several challenges in Nigeria in food production….

[Biotechnology’s] current impact on agriculture arises from the recent introduction of improved crops that belong to the class of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), marking the beginning of what appears to be a revolution that will bring substantial change to this sector.

Decades of documented evidence demonstrate that agricultural biotechnology is a safe and beneficial technology that contributes to both environmental and economic sustainability. Farmers choose biotech crops because they increase yield and lower production costs.

Farmers get a greater financial return while using more environmentally friendly farming practices through the use of agricultural biotechnology.

There are five (5) Biotech crops under confined field trials in Nigeria. They include Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea, modified to be resistant to Maruca insect larvae; Bt. Cotton, with resistance to pink bollworm; Africa Bio-fortified Sorghum (ABS), with enhanced levels of Vitamin A, Iron and Zinc to target malnutrition; Nitrogen Use Efficient, Water Use Efficient and Salt Tolerant (NEWEST) Rice; Virus Resistant and Nutritionally Enhanced Cassava for Africa (VIRCA PLUS).

Read full, original post: Growing applications of GMOs in Nigeria

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