FG Falls Back On GMOs To Tackle Food Crisis, Assures Safety.
Nigeria is raising awareness on Genetically Modified Organisms to address misconceptions surrounding their use by farmers.
Scientists, health officials, and development partners say biotechnology offers real solutions to hunger, poverty, and climate change, advocating for improved GMO seeds to boost food production.
Nigeria’s growing population, now over 200 million, has pressured food systems.
With shrinking farmlands and climate challenges, experts say biotechnology could be the game-changer.
At a sensitisation workshop in Abuja, stakeholders from science, health, and development circles gathered to demystify Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and highlight their benefits.
While speaking, the Director of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Pharm. Olubunmi Aribeana, represented by Mr. John Atanda, assured Nigerians that every GMO product undergoes rigorous safety assessments before reaching consumers and vowed the government’s commitment to the safety of all products.
Consequently, Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at NABDA, echoed these assurances, saying biotechnology is already strengthening food production, with particular focus on increasing food availability across the country through the help of GMOs
Development partners also stressed that Biotechnology strengthens crops against pests and drought, and harped on the need to embrace innovation to drive meaningful change to secure Nigeria’s food future.
With hunger and malnutrition still a major concern, experts believe embracing modern biotechnology is key to securing Nigeria’s health and economic future as the awareness campaign aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, vital for healthier, more resilient living.
