Farmers across the country have been advised farmers to cultivate Genetically Modified (GM) crops to reduce the use of pesticides and save production cost.
The National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), through its Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, gave the advise at a biotechnology and biosafety sensitisation workshop for senior editors of various media houses held in Abuja at the weekend.
Prof. Mustapha disclosed that many farmers who planted GM beans seed on their farms had recorded significant drop in the number of times they sprayed chemicals to control pests.
“Already, we have testimonies from farmers across the country who are benefiting from products of modern biotechnology in the country. This includes the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, which is helping farmers overcome the devastating impacts of marcuca vitrata that causes 80 per cent destruction on the farmers’ field.
“Today, our farmers are applying only two insecticide sprays as against between eight and 10 sprays previously as a result of planting the PBR Cowpea.
“Our farmers are also planting Bt. Cotton, another innovative product from modern biotechnology, that is changing the game in cotton farming, and the hope of the textile industry revival is on course,” Mustapha said
The director general said the workshop was aimed at enlightening the participants on new trends in biotechnology, in line with the Federal Government’s determination to improve the agricultural sector of the economy.
