From Okwe Obi, Abuja
African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has rated Nigeria high in the deployment, adoption of biotechnology which is aimed at boosting food sufficiency.
AATF’s Executive Secretary, Dr Kanangire Canisius, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, scored the Federal Government high for its openness in granting research, developing products and releasing product permits for good of citizens while most countries still hold back as a result of indecisiveness.
Canisius, however, noted that the African continent needs political will to address hunger, poverty and malnutrition.
“Nigeria is our continental leader in biotechnology deployment and adoption. The country has one of the most functional policies, laws, regulations, structures and adequate institutional framework and human resources to safely deploy biotechnologies to improve productivity.
“We have witnessed the openness with which the Federal Government of Nigeria has operated in the last few years in granting research, product development and product release permits for the good of its citizens while most other countries are still held back by indecisiveness.
“The continent is bedeviled by hunger, poverty and malnutrition which need the political will of our leaders to overcome. Nigeria has shown its determination to use technology to address the food insecurity challenges.
“I have come to show solidarity and support for the efforts of the Federal Government. The country is on the right path. The benefits of these technologies will begin to manifest as we are already seeing in the case of the PBR Cowpea,” he said.
He added that, “After a decade of hard work, dedication, and commitment the Nigeria government made Africa proud – and especially the scientists – by approving and releasing the first transgenic cowpea variety in the world in January 2019.
“This is by no means a small feat considering the impact this development will have on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and on the continent.
“In addition to the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea project, AATF is investing on more crops and projects in Nigeria.
“For instance, in 2012 AATF introduced the Cassava Mechanization and Agro-Processing Project (CAMAP) Project in Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Kwara State.
“This project continues to revolutionize cassava farming in the region following the tremendous successes recorded. The application of mechanization helped farmers improve their productivity in a holistic manner.
“Harvests increased from a yield of about 10 tons per hectare to 30 tons per hectare. The quality of the cassava tubers also increased with introduction of higher value planting material. The price of the cassava also increased following improved products and enhanced market linkages.
“Farmers – especially women and youth, saved time as mechanization helped to manage drudgery related to cassava farming.
“There was also increased hectarage on land under cassava given the ease of cultivation offered by the mechanization. The cassava farmers involved in this initiative were happy farmers.”