Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security in Nigeria; Facts and Myths
B. O. Ehirim *
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria. and Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. and African Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. BOX 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
M. Bashir
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria.
M. N. Ishaq
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria.
A. S. Gana
Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
B. Z. Salihu
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria.
T. Gbadeyan
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria.
O. F. Nwankwo
African Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. BOX 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
E. Kouko
African Agricultural Technology Foundation, P.O. BOX 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
K. D. Tolorunse
Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
J. Amedu
National Biosafety Management Agency, P.M.B 2058, Abuja, Nigeria.
S. U. Echefu
National Biotechnology Development Agency, P.M.B 5118, Abuja, Nigeria.
N. Danbaba
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biotechnology per se is not a panacea for the world’s problems of hunger and poverty. However, genetic engineering in particular offers outstanding potentials to increase the efficiency of crop improvement. Thus, biotechnology could enhance global food production and availability in a sustainable way. Studies have shown that transgenic crops are very appropriate for agricultural producers and consumers in developing countries as the entire technology can be packaged into the seed. It can easily be integrated into traditional smallholder farming systems through proper stewardship. Except for a few innovative transfer projects, the application of biotechnology until now remains concentrated in the industrialized world. However due to insufficient owned scientific and regulatory capacities, the increase in privatized international agricultural research and the strengthening of intellectual property rights of these organizations complicate the access of developing countries to biotechnology. Therefore, profound government and Institutional adjustments that cuts across new technologies and regulations are essential to ensuring that biotechnology does not bypass the resource poor, smallholder farmers in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Keywords: Biotechnology, biosafety, genetically modified organism, PCR.