By Sylvester Thompson

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has called on Nigeria and other member states in Africa to create enabling environment for innovative technologies that would benefit the continent.

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Technical Lead, Genome Editing Initiative of the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, genome editing, especially through innovations like CRISPR-Cas9, holds substantial promise for addressing agricultural challenges.

NAN reports that genome editing is a technique used in making precise modifications to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of a cell or organism.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that allows scientists to precisely modify DNA sequences in living organisms.

Akinbo disclosed that CRISPR-Cas9 effectively targets traits such as disease resistance, grain quality, and shelf-life areas where conventional breeding often falls short.

Speaking on building capacity of African scientists to drive and foster quick appropriation of genome editing in agriculture, he said African leaders had consistently highlighted critical importance of food and nutritional security.

He said the leaders recognised it as a processing issue that demands focused efforts from all stakeholders across the continent.

Akinbo stated that despite global advancements in crop and animal improvement methodologies, Africa continued to lag in achieving results.

“This has jeopardised milestones such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063,’’ he said.

He said Africa’s lag in achieving results was particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where insufficient investment in research and development amounted to less than one per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Accordingly, this has led to inadequate research infrastructure, poorly trained personnel, and weak frameworks for training, funding, and collaboration at both national and continental levels.

“However, initiatives must be launched to empower local researchers, particularly youths, with on-going training and resources necessary for establishing genome
editing programmes in Africa,’’ he said.

Akinbo said projects like the African Plant Breeding Academy (AFPBA) played a vital role in this endeavour by providing comprehensive training in genome editing techniques for a variety of crops.

He mentioned these crops to include finger millet, rice, sorghum, soybean, ginger, tomato and maize.

The AUDA-NEPAD Official said that utilising CRISPR-Cas9, the academy focused on critical traits such as disease resistance and enhanced nutritional content.

He said the AFPBA’s programme combined theoretical knowledge with practical applications, exposing trainees to the science and methodology behind genome editing.

He explained that this included regulatory frameworks, intellectual property rights, and commercialisation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joe Idika