Nigeria Approves Its First GMO Food Crop

After nearly a decade of research by its own scientists, Nigeria has approved its first genetically modified (GM) food crop — pest-resistant cowpea.

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) decision to allow the environmental release of GM cowpea affirms the crop’s safety. It also paves the way for commercializing GM cowpea and making the seeds available to farmers.

“Cowpea is the most important food grain legume in Nigeria,” said Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, executive director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, which led the research. “The low yield of the crop in Nigeria is due to many constraints, particularly pod boring insects, which cause up to 90 per cent yield loss in severe infestation cases.”

Cowpea is an important source of protein for millions of Nigerians and others in West Africa. Farmers typically apply pesticides six or seven times within a planting season in an attempt to control the destructive pod borer (Maruca vitrata) pest. The GM cowpea, which provides built-in resistance to the insect, will significantly decrease pesticide use, researchers said.

It will also increase yields by about 20 percent, helping Nigeria to reduce its reliance on imports and achieve food security. Nigeria currently imports about 500,000 tonnes of cowpea annually to meet demand.

Both the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea and GM cotton, which Nigeria commercialized last July, rely on a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural occurring, soil-borne bacteria long used in organic agriculture, to control certain insect pests. Nigerian scientists who introduced the Bt gene into local varieties of cowpea found it confers near complete protection against the pod borer.

Abubakar said scientists decided to venture into genetic modification in cowpea breeding because pest infestations had made cowpea farming difficult, economically unprofitable and even dangerous, as farmers were exposed to pesticide sprays.

Dr. Abdourhamane Issoufou, country director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), said Nigerian scientists worked with institutions in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Malawi to develop the Bt cowpea. 

Saidu Madagwa, executive secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), which coordinates agricultural research in Nigeria, said the council was proud to present Nigerians with the first home-grown genetically modified food crop. He said it has passed all necessary scientific and safety tests.

Prof. Ishiyaku Mohammad, principal investigator in IAR’s cowpea project, explained that the GM cowpea is no different than conventional varieties. The only distinguishing factor is its resistance to Maruca infestation, he said. “The legume, which tastes just the same as its conventional counterpart, does not have any killer gene,” he said and farmers can replant the seeds if they wish.

Chief Daniel Okafor, vice president of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said the organization’s members are joyful at news of the approval. Farmers are willing and ready to adopt developmental technologies that reduce losses, increase yields and improve their livelihoods, he said.

https://brandspurng.com/2019/01/31/nigeria-approves-its-first-gmo-food-crop/

That's how it starts.
Before you know it our women will start giving birth to deformed children.

The two guys below me commented at the same time with me. But my network is 5G. You guys really tried but try again next time.

Second.

Is it not beans I'm seeing

Them want us to start giving birth to deformities! Very soon

E

ValCon888:
D

Buhari is working.....

Good research

ValCon888:
That's how it starts.
Before you know it our women will start giving birth to deformed children.

Stop posting rubbish...

space bookers upandan


mtcheww

Na breed beans you give English like this....

A popular crossing in high school biology that year

Bad news. BAD HEALTH.
Research GMO crops. They only have side effects on the human body. Less nutrients than organic.

More profit for farmers.

Cowpea or beans?!
Apc crooners trying to sound sophisticated but are stupid

A well come development. Let them make the seed available to the farmers to enable them farm it.

MrPRevailer:
Bad news.
Research GMO crops. They only have side effects on the human body

Africa has the lowest rate of cancer from the rest of the world.

But by doing this we shall be competiting with the world for who have the highest cancer rate




#SAYNOTOGMOCROP

They should tag the GMO beans and natural beans so we make our choice

apelike:
Africa has the lowest rate of cancer from the rest of the world.

But by doing this we shall be competiting with the world for who have the highest cancer rate

Buhari at work. One country I read, I think Zimbabwe insulted the U.S for deceiving them to accept G.M.O. because of it's effects on his people.

With was it happening now are you sure human being were not genetically modified before we became what we are now? Just saying.

chakula:
A well come development. Let them make the seed available to the farmers to enable them farm it.

when your family started giving birth to giant heads and small weist. You will remember this your statement

Buffalowings3:

Stop posting rubbish...

Why

MrPRevailer:


Buhari at work. One country I read, I think Zimbabwe insulted the U.S for deceiving them to accept G.M.O. because of it's effects on his people.

very bad move!

We have the land

Resources

Comfortable weather


And so on.... But why should we accept G.M.O..?

The world are kicking against it

This is bad

apelike:
Second.

Is it not beans I'm seeing

Them want us to start giving birth to deformities! Very soon

Hmm, there is not one food you are eating that has not been genetically modified from its original make. Not rice, oil, maize, potato. Nothing.