FG Agency to Introduce GM Rice, Beans, Sorghum

The first set of genetically modified crops approved by the Federal Government is to be released in the country in two years, the National Biotechnology Development Agency has said.

The Director-General, NABDA, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, disclosed this at a special session of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology held at the Ministry of Communications in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ogbadu named the crops that would be released in two years as rice, beans and sorghum.

According to her, the crops are currently going through the final trial prior to their release by selected farmers.

She explained that the new rice had been fortified with genes that make it nitrogen efficient, water efficient and salt tolerant.

The bean, on the other hand, has genes that make it pest-resistant so that the farmer can enjoy a good harvest. The sorghum, on the other hand, is fortified with minerals and vitamins.

The NABDA boss said, “The products that are in the pipeline have been carefully selected to meet the needs of our people. Biotechnology is not really new. It enables the introduction of genes that may not be in an organism for the benefit of mankind.

“Some genetic modification allow for the introduction of insect-resistant organisms so that a crop can do well. It takes about 10 years to ensure the safety of genetically modified organisms.

We have lost out in many other technologies. We should not lose out in this technology to take care of hunger in the land.”

Ogbadu said even though no genetically modified product had been approved in the country, she added that she was not worried about any GMO product that might have entered the country illegally, because there was no record of any bad effect of GM products anywhere in the world.

RE-ON THE GENETICALLY MODIFIED RICE

Last year, the Federal Government approved the research for the Nitrogen-use-efficiency, water-use-efficiency and salt tolerant (NEWEST) rice variety project at the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State as part of the overall strategy to end rice importation by 2017 and promote food security in the country

Government’s decision was based on the fact that farmers in the country and across Africa are experiencing low yields resulting in high rice imports in SSA where over 40 per cent of the rice consumed is imported. The average grain yield in Africa (2.2 t/ha) is below the world average (3.4 t/ha) by 49 per cent and several factors account for this low yield.

Soil nitrogen deficiency has been cited as a major constraint to rice production. Nitrogen deficiency is mostly acute in the highly weathered upland areas where an average yield of only one tonne per hectare, which is about 25 per cent of yield potential, has been recorded. Also, nitrogen is difficult to retain when applied in lowland areas due to floods and flowing water that characterise such areas.

A major concern that constraints rice production in nitrogen deficient soils is the inability of farmers to buy fertilisers to address this constraint, and when they buy, they can hardly afford the required rate for optimal yield. Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice is one means of overcoming these limitations.

Similarly, drought has been identified as a major limiting factor in rice production in SSA where about 80 per cent of rice farms traditionally depend on rainfall. The farmers are often resource constrained, and cannot afford irrigation systems. With the utilisation and application of water use efficient (WUE) component, the rice will require less water and this will offer an appreciable coping mechanism against drought.

Also, high salinity is increasingly becoming a major problem in rice growing areas of the coastal lowlands and mangrove swamps.

So principally, the ongoing rice research at Badeggi is to address the above stated constraints which over the years, conventional breeding methods have not been able to tackle.

The editorial has raised questions on the absence of the critical mass of qualified scientists to undertake genetic engineering as well as their ability to handle such high level technology.

But the question to ask is whether genetic modification is more of a high level science than stem cell or other form of science that researchers at Nigerian universities have attained accolade and honour for their works in such areas.

Yes it is right to say Nigeria is not like America that is so versed in research but that was the same kind of argument presented when Nigeria ventured into nuclear technology, a technology that one accident can kill every living thing within certain radius, but 10 years after we have forged on and their fears have not come to pass.

What were the nation’s manpower potentials when our first satellite, NigeriaSat 1 was launched? We all remembered that after the launch, Nigerian scientists were able to build, launch and control NigeriaSat X in orbit.

The Guardian can send its reporters to the research centres across Nigeria and investigate their capacity. It is denigrating to question the patriotism of loyal and dedicated researchers who in view of all odds have not only continue to thrive but challenge and contest all honours and awards with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

The good thing about science and technology be it GM, nuclear or satellite is that, it is universal. Yes agreed that we may not have all the facilities but that does not mean we should not do what we can with what we have.

The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba did not threaten to shut the research institute if it fails the next round of preliminary trials, because he does not have such powers. He can only stop the research which is just one of the many researches the institute is undertaking.

Ebegba did not say the statement below attributed to him. “GMO rice is a strain that has been modified genetically to increase micronutrients like vitamin A, accelerate photosynthesis, resist pests, tolerate herbicides, increase grain size, generate nutrients or flavours and produce human proteins.”

Your editorial also raised so many questions including: Is such genetically modified rice, therefore, safe, since the modification already alters its composition? Like irradiated food, that doesn’t expire, the question is whether such product is still safe for human consumption. How long then would the rice last? Or would it last forever? Are GMO products biodegradable? These are critical questions that should be answered.

These questions may not even arise if we understand what the NEWEST rice is all about but for the avoidance of doubt, it has nothing to do with the fears expressed as it won’t differ from the rice in the market currently. The only difference is that its genetic composition is altered to accommodate or withstand drought, high soil salinity, Nitrogen deficiency among others.

There is no possibility of horizontal gene transfer and it is not possible for gene transfer between rice and millet as the editorial noted.

The fears about altering the natural process of degradation does not even arise as before a GMO product is released it must meet health, environment, ecology and other standards which are observed worldwide.

Nobody has ever said that GM will solve Nigeria’s food problem, emphasis had also been on the fact that GM is a tool that can assist in the provision of safe and healthy food for Nigerians.

The statement on whether Nigeria is prepared to do the necessary research as far as genetic modification is concerned can only be postulated by someone who lacks basic knowledge of the human capacities in our research institutes. The GM beans project had progressed successfully in the last 10 years in the country under the supervision of Nigerians scientists at the Institute for Agriculture Research, ABU, Zaria. The introduction of genetic engineering may be one of the antidotes capable of reviving most of the research institutes said to be comatose.

The essence of the whole exercise was reinforced by the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Winifred Oyo Ita at the inauguration of the research that “the main role of science in agriculture has been to help generate novelties that allow us to produce more with less land and less effort”.

Abutu is of the Programme for Biosafety System.Abutu is of the Programme for Biosafety System.

Government Partners Stakeholders to Boost Dairy Production

The Federal government is partnering with major national and international stakeholders in the dairy sector towards injecting considerable volume into local milk production and cutting down on importation of milk in the future.

Disclosing this recently in Abuja during a multi-stakeholders roundtable conference with the theme: “Milky way to development”, the Minister of Agriculture

and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe said presently, the annual national dairy output and demand was estimated at 700,000 metric tonnes and 1,300 metric tonnes respectively, giving a supply gap of about 600,000 metric tonnes.

Represented by the Director of Animal Production and Husbandry Services, Dr. Egejuru Eze, Ogbe said: “We are partnering with major national and international stakeholders in the dairy sector to inject a considerable volume of locally produced raw milk in powdered milk processed in Nigeria to meet the national demand and drastically reduce milk importation by the year 2019.

The Vice Chairman, Arla Foods, Jan Toft Noergaard, said the company was proud to host farmers and other stakeholders in both European and West African dairy sector.

“We believe there are more feats to be achieved with an alliance like this. I am sure things will happen faster. This conference is set to discuss and offer solution to challenges facing the dairy sector in West Africa and development of the dairy sector to improve the livelihood of farmers”, he said.

The programme, jointly organized by Arla Foods, producers of Dano Milk), CARE Denmark, Billital Maroobe, Danish Agriculture and Food Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, was aimed at improving dairy production and marketing and development of new business models that will help create employment and profit for local dairy farmers in West Africa.

FCT Begins Inspection of Abattoirs

The acting Secretary of Agriculture Secretariat, Dr Aliyu Musa, has said that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced inspection tour of the four abattoirs in the Abuja.

He said the purpose of the inspection was to stop illegal activities in the environment and guarantee security and public health.

He said this, recently, in his office after an inspection tour of the Kubwa Abattoir.

Musa said the animal services team went round and observed that the abattoirs were not only unkempt but they also became criminals’ hideouts where drugs were traded. He lamented that shanties were growing around the abattoirs, saying such development must be stopped before it went out of hand.

Earlier, the manager of the Kubwa Abattoir, Dr Jacob Okpeke, said that butchers in the abattoir were educated on hygiene and warned against selling unhealthy meat.

“They already know that if you buy a sick animal, you are not going to make any sales from it because we carry out our professional duties as vetenary doctors,” he said.

Agriculture Can Trigger Nigeria’s Economic Revival – Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said that the agricultural sector can provide the needed boost for Nigeria’s quest for economic revival, saying that his administration would continue to support the Federal Government initiative to revamp the sector.

Governor Ambode, who spoke when he visited the Nigeria Breweries Plc in Iganmu Lagos, said Agriculture, which was once the mainstay of the nation’s economy would only thrive when local production is encouraged by not just the government, but corporate organisations.

“We can actually use agriculture to revive and reflate this economy, so even before our own activation, it is very clear that this is what you have been doing in the last 20 years. We would like to partner with you and encourage you to say that whatever it is that we can do to increase employment in Nigeria, we would be ready to work with you,” the Governor said.

While commending Nigeria Breweries for its 70 years anniversary, he lauded the company for taking the initiative to engage over 250,000 farmers in its sorghum and cassava value chain, saying that it has not gone a long way in providing jobs for the people.

The Governor said, “We are very happy that you are part of the success story in Lagos. You create jobs for Lagosians, I am excited about the fact that you are employing about 250,000 farmers, 4000 direct jobs, but surely those on and off beer parlours and restaurants are part of the indirect jobs that you have created for Lagosians.

He also commended their commitment towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially in the areas of health and educational development, adding that they were one of the many corporate brands in the State leading from the front.

Governor Ambode said that his administration would work towards advancing the existing partnership and cooperation between the State Government and Nigeria Breweries, just as he pledged his commitment to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

To show his unraveling commitment towards improving the ease of doing business in the State, the Governor instantly approved the request made by the Chairman of Nigeria Breweries, Chief Kola Jamodu for the rehabilitation of Abebe Village Road and also the maintenance of the street lights, assuring that work would commence within the next seven days.

Earlier, Chief Jamodu, in his welcome address, lauded Governor Ambode for his development strides since he assumed office, especially in the areas of road construction, security improvement and support for industry.

“Your Excellency, as it is often said morning shows the day, your superlative performance within the first few months of your administration has shown that we, like all Lagosians made the right choice. Our company would continue to join hands with you in the march to make Lagos the cynosure of all eyes,” Jawodu said.

Jawodu said the humble beginning of the first brewery in Lagos in 1948 has seen the company set up 10 other breweries strategically located across the country.

Highlight of the Governor’s visit was the signing of a three-year partnership agreement between the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Breweries for the annual One Lagos Fiesta aimed at making the event.

Governor Ambode and members of the State Executive Council were later conducted round the facility by Chief Jawodu, the Technical Director, Mr. Henk Wymenga and other top officials of the company.