Post by Trade Coach on Oct 14, 2021 21:54:14 GMT 1
Federal Government Of Nigeria (FGN) Okays TELA Maize To Enhance Food Security In The Country: A Genetically Modified Corn
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has consistently been looking for ways to bring the persistent scarcity of maize in the country to a halt; it therefore was ready to do all in its power to arrest the ugly situation using any legitimate means available.
Scarcity of maize has been threatening the poultry industry over the years; therefore this development has come as a succor to the industry.
The government through its research and development agencies has been looking for ways to develop maize varieties that can withstand or be resistant to pests and insects that affect the growth or development of maize in the country.
The relevant agencies have gained approval from the Federal Government for the provision of a genetically modified corn known as ‘TELA’ maize in order to enhance food security in the country.
The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director-General National Biotechnology Development Agency, (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and the Executive Director Nigerian Institute of Agriculture Research, (IAR), Professor Mohammed Ishyaku, gave their approvals during the “Public presentation of Drought Tolerant and Fall Armyworm Resistant Maize (TELA Maize),” in Abuja recently.
During the public presentation, the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said that he was aware of the controversy usually surrounding genetically modified organisms, but that they have properly scrutinized TELA maize to ensure that it is human health safe.
He said that the genetically modified corn met all the biosafety standards of the agency, assuring the nation and its farmers that no harm will befall them, their crops and the environment.
He said that it was because of that they introduced public hearing in order to let the public know what they are doing.
“And also to give opportunities for the applicants to speak with the members of the public, the media, telling the public what the product is all about, how relevant it is to our national economy; and also what are the safety measures that have been taken to ensure that the process is safe.
“It is critical that every product that is being released for commercial purpose must meet required biosafety standards, these include compatibility and also sustainability in the environment. It must also meet the safety standards in the area of human health and also give us economic benefits. These are the three parameters the agency has considered in the past months.
“Describing the processes that led to the approval of TELA maize, the DG said, “We have had three public adverts telling members of the public that we have an application for commercial release of a genetically modified corn known as TELA maize.
“The NBMA also constituted two committees, the National Biosafety committee and National Biosafety Sub-technical committee to do in-depth review of this project, and they have submitted their various reports, giving us their recommendations.
“The Agency has equally done its in-house review of the application as well. This presentation is for the applicants to further convince the public, also to convince the agency that the application they filed before the agency has met all requirements that can be considered for approval.”
Also the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha said that the future of agriculture is biotechnology, adding that it will change the narrative in dealing with drought and pests that destroy crops.
He said “Biotechnology is a technology that is evolving and making the changes on the whole world history, the changes are in medicine and what we are seeing today is in agriculture.
“The future of agriculture is biotechnology; before, we were using the conventional way to change the narrative and it was taking a longer time to achieve results, but now the world population is increasing rapidly and the land available is decreasing, therefore the way forward is biotechnology.
“That is why the TELA maize project is very important because the drought that is caused by climate change will not allow crops to reach the time of maturity, but by using this biotechnology, the drought can be circumvented.”
Also the Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Professor Mohammad Ishyaku, advised that Nigeria must be interested in practicing and harnessing scientific potentials.
He noted that IAR, partnered with the Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), to bring the project to limelight.
Our forum supports whatever the Federal Government is doing to increase food production in the country and enhance food security.
We therefore encourage our members to key into the use of TELA maize for planting and cultivation of maize in the coming season.
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has consistently been looking for ways to bring the persistent scarcity of maize in the country to a halt; it therefore was ready to do all in its power to arrest the ugly situation using any legitimate means available.
Scarcity of maize has been threatening the poultry industry over the years; therefore this development has come as a succor to the industry.
The government through its research and development agencies has been looking for ways to develop maize varieties that can withstand or be resistant to pests and insects that affect the growth or development of maize in the country.
The relevant agencies have gained approval from the Federal Government for the provision of a genetically modified corn known as ‘TELA’ maize in order to enhance food security in the country.
The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director-General National Biotechnology Development Agency, (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and the Executive Director Nigerian Institute of Agriculture Research, (IAR), Professor Mohammed Ishyaku, gave their approvals during the “Public presentation of Drought Tolerant and Fall Armyworm Resistant Maize (TELA Maize),” in Abuja recently.
During the public presentation, the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said that he was aware of the controversy usually surrounding genetically modified organisms, but that they have properly scrutinized TELA maize to ensure that it is human health safe.
He said that the genetically modified corn met all the biosafety standards of the agency, assuring the nation and its farmers that no harm will befall them, their crops and the environment.
He said that it was because of that they introduced public hearing in order to let the public know what they are doing.
“And also to give opportunities for the applicants to speak with the members of the public, the media, telling the public what the product is all about, how relevant it is to our national economy; and also what are the safety measures that have been taken to ensure that the process is safe.
“It is critical that every product that is being released for commercial purpose must meet required biosafety standards, these include compatibility and also sustainability in the environment. It must also meet the safety standards in the area of human health and also give us economic benefits. These are the three parameters the agency has considered in the past months.
“Describing the processes that led to the approval of TELA maize, the DG said, “We have had three public adverts telling members of the public that we have an application for commercial release of a genetically modified corn known as TELA maize.
“The NBMA also constituted two committees, the National Biosafety committee and National Biosafety Sub-technical committee to do in-depth review of this project, and they have submitted their various reports, giving us their recommendations.
“The Agency has equally done its in-house review of the application as well. This presentation is for the applicants to further convince the public, also to convince the agency that the application they filed before the agency has met all requirements that can be considered for approval.”
Also the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha said that the future of agriculture is biotechnology, adding that it will change the narrative in dealing with drought and pests that destroy crops.
He said “Biotechnology is a technology that is evolving and making the changes on the whole world history, the changes are in medicine and what we are seeing today is in agriculture.
“The future of agriculture is biotechnology; before, we were using the conventional way to change the narrative and it was taking a longer time to achieve results, but now the world population is increasing rapidly and the land available is decreasing, therefore the way forward is biotechnology.
“That is why the TELA maize project is very important because the drought that is caused by climate change will not allow crops to reach the time of maturity, but by using this biotechnology, the drought can be circumvented.”
Also the Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Professor Mohammad Ishyaku, advised that Nigeria must be interested in practicing and harnessing scientific potentials.
He noted that IAR, partnered with the Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), to bring the project to limelight.
Our forum supports whatever the Federal Government is doing to increase food production in the country and enhance food security.
We therefore encourage our members to key into the use of TELA maize for planting and cultivation of maize in the coming season.