Nigeria has been hailed for taking the lead in the promotion of breakthroughs in Genetic Modification that is inspiring other countries in Africa to exploit the potentials of biotechnology to solve food security issues.
This commendation, which is coming from the West African Representative of African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Dr Jean Baptiste Tignegre, adds to the cloud of accolades that Nigeria has received from the international community since the launch of TELA Maize, a set of genetically modified versions of maize developed by Nigerian scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria in June.
Dr Tignegre who spoke during a media field visit to TELA Maize farms at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in Abuja said Africa and, indeed, the world have a lot to learn from what Nigeria has achieved in Genetic Modification and particularly, TELA Maize, adding that it is a big reason to respect Nigerian scientists.
“You (Nigerians) must respect your scientist for what they have with TELA Maize. It has led a path for other African countries to follow,” Dr Tignegre said.
He said other countries in Africa have taken lessons from Nigeria, as they are set to follow in their
Similarly, Director General/CEO of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, stressed that the agency will not back throttle in the promotion of research and development in the area of Biotechnology in Nigeria.
TELA Maize, a genetically modified crop, boasts impressive insect-resistance and drought-tolerance features.
Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at NBRDA, Dr Rose Gidado, who spoke about the advantages that TELA Maize hybrid varieties brings to Nigeria said it will make Nigeria a net exporter of maize by guaranteeing increased yields, while making the product acceptable, as they carry minimal chemical residues due to reduced spraying frequency on the field.
She used the occasion to dispelled rumours about the safety of TELA maize, saying, “TELA Maize was developed with recur to rigorous testing and safety measures that have been proven. This gives Nigeria a leg ahead, as international best practices were imbibed to ensure that humans and the environment will not be affected when you release this product in nature.”
In a further conversation with the journalists, Dr Gidado said TELA Maize has been evaluated to ascertain effect on non-target organisms such as rodents, bees, and pollinators nd found to pose no risk to them.
TELA maize has been described as a “climate-smart” technology that is helping farmers to cope with challenges of drought and pest infestations, including fall armyworms and stem borers that have continued to devastate maize farms across Africa.
