September 15, 2024

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Agriculture

NABDA advocates catfish consumption to tackle malnutrition

By Bukola Adewumi

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), has highlighted the potential of catfish consumption to combat malnutrition in Nigeria.

The D-G said this during the training of catfish farmers on the state of research on the genetics of African catfish in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by Mrs Rose Gidado, Director of Agriculture at NABDA, he emphasised the agency’s commitment to research and development in agriculture, health, environment, and industry for economic growth.

“We can curb malnutrition through catfish because it is highly proteinous and cholesterol-free.”

He encouraged catfish farmers, gathered from various parts of the country, to expand their farming efforts, citing the economic promise it holds.

Addressing reported losses by farmers, the workshop aimed to equip trainees with knowledge to improve catfish farming practices.

Mustapha expressed the agency’s dedication to collaborating for the development of the agriculture sector.

Dr Suleiman Isa, speaking on “Catfish genetics and improving catfish hatchery and seed supply,” disclosed that Nigeria’s catfish production currently stands at almost 300,000 tons.

He urged trainees to apply the acquired knowledge to enhance catfish farming nationwide.

One trainee, Mr Musa Abdullahi from Kaduna State, commended the organisers for the valuable training, foreseeing its positive impact on his work.

Another participant, Mrs Kate Davies, a catfish farmer, described the workshop as an eye-opener that would boost her productivity in the fish farming business.

The training, attended by both male and female participants from diverse regions, signifies a concerted effort to promote sustainable agriculture and combat malnutrition in the country.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Agriculture

NABDA committed to boosting agricultural productivity -DG

 

By Sylvester Thompson

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says it is committed to boosting agricultural productivity in the country.

This is contained in statement signed by Toyin Omozuwa ,Press Secretary to Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General, NABDA, and made available to the press in Abuja on Friday.

“Through innovative approaches and cutting-edge biotechnology solutions, NABDA is spearheading efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, improving crop yields and ensuring food self-sufficiency for the nation.

“Africa’s foremost biotechnology development agency, NABDA, carries out well-focused research and development in biotechnology, in priority areas of agriculture, health, industry, environment among others for national development,’’ the statement read.

 

Omozuwa said NABDA’s commitment to harnessing biotechnology solutions for sustainable national development was yielding significant fruits, particularly at the grassroots, where there was growing appreciation of biotechnology’s capabilities to improve livelihoods.

 

She said NABDA is a driving force in harnessing biotechnology to improve the quality of life for Nigerians and mitigate socioeconomic impediments to development.

 

Following President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security,  the D-G of the agency was quoted in the statement as stating that NABDA aligned with the declaration.

Mustapha said “By harnessing the potential of biotechnology, NABDA is determined to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria and ensure a sustainable and secure food supply.

“We are already collaborating with stakeholders, farmers, and researchers to tackle these challenges head-on.’’

The statement disclosed that NABDA, together with national and international partners is already driving Nigeria’s economic growth with the commercialisation of two genetically modified crops, Bt Cotton and Bt Cowpea.

Accordingly, farmers planted and harvested the improved variety of Bt. cowpea had attested to improved yields, reduction of pests, cost efficiency resulting from near-zero use of pesticides, and enhanced livelihood.

Other transgenic crops in the pipeline of commercialisation include TELA maize, HT soybean, among several others.

The agency has also revolutionised yam seedlings production. Its target of seven million yam seedlings has largely been successful with over two million produced and distributed to farmers.

Omozuwa said NABDA is promoting the adoption of modern biotechnology practices among farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

She said through capacity-building programmes, workshops, and training sessions, NABDA empowered farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilise biotechnology tools and techniques.

“The NABDA has successfully introduced biotechnology techniques to improve livestock breeding and management.

“`By leveraging the power of biotechnology, NABDA has facilitated the production of healthier and more productive livestock, leading to increased meat and dairy production in Nigeria.

“In addition, NABDA is working towards a reduction in food waste through improved food processing, packaging and preservation techniques through biotechnology,” she said.

The statement assured that the agency’s ongoing efforts in biotechnology research and development, strategic collaborations, and capacity-building programmes would continue promote sustainable farming practices, and foster economic growth. (NAN)

 

Edited by Hajara Leman/Julius Toba-Jegede

Participants at a biotechnology and biosafety sensitization workshop for senior editors of national media outlets in Abuja
Agriculture , Science & Tech

GM crops reduce pesticide application, save money – NABDA

By Bukola Adewumi

The National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has advised farmers to cultivate Genetically Modified (GM) crops to reduce the use of pesticides and save production cost.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, NABDA Director-General, disclosed this at a biotechnology and biosafety sensitization workshop for senior editors of national media outlets in Abuja on Friday.

He said 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 2 insecticide sprays as against between 8 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 editors on new trends in biotechnology, in line with the Federal Government’s determination to improve the agricultural sector of the economy.

“Biotechnology is a transformative force that holds immense potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria and the world at large.

“From healthcare to agriculture, energy to environment, biotechnology offers solutions that can significantly impact on the well-being of our citizens and the sustainability of our resources.

“As editors, you play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information. The power of media in shaping narratives and public perception cannot be overstated.

“Hence, your role in communicating agricultural biotechnology to the masses is crucial for fostering understanding, dialogue, and informed decision-making”, he said.

Dr Rose Gidado, the agency’s Director, Agricultural Biotechnology, said editors were selected to add value to general reportage on biotechnology and biosafety.

“We have to bring in the editors to educate them because most times we deal with reporters and sometimes the reporters may not get what they want after their stories have been edited by the editors. So the editors too need to understand this technology,” she said.

Mr Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, the Nation Newspaper, said his perception about biotechnology crops changed after attending the workshop.

“I came here with bias; I have never been a believer in biotechnology products. I used to see biotech experts as tempting God, but I have a different perception now.

“If we want to increase our yield, then we should look the biotechnology direction,”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aim of the sensitization workshop was to provide accurate and up to date information about advances in the agricultural biotechnology sector since its adoption in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Nabilu Balarabe/Vincent Obi

NABDA DG, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha
Science & Tech

Genome editing technology will bring transformational development to Nigeria, Africa – D-G

By Sylvester Thompson

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), said genome technology editing can bring transformational development in Nigeria and in Africa, if properly harnessed.

Mustapha, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday stated that such development would be in terms of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

NAN reports that recently, NABDA, in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD CoE-STI), concluded a four-day national genome editing communication, advocacy strategy and action plan stakeholder validation workshop.

The director-general said the workshop brought all the stakeholders in Nigeria together to validate the work that was previously done in the country on genome editing.

He said Nigeria would soon deploy genome editing technology in agriculture in order to help boost productivity and ensure food security.

Mustapha added that the technology was a scientific innovation that helped in precision agriculture, where genetic impairment of a crop was targeted and fixed, enabling the crop to actualise its optimal yield.

Mustapha said: “The technology comes with numerous benefits including reduction in time frame between planting and harvesting, mitigating climate change and less application of pesticides among others.’’

He reiterated that the technology was an initiative of the AUDA-NEPAD new partnership for Africa’s development.

Dr Shakirat Solebo, acting Director of Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department of the agency corroborated that genome editing technology was beneficial to Nigeria.

Solebo, who is also the Facilitator of the AUDA-NEPAD/NABDA initiative said that the technology would have a positive impact on the overall development in Nigeria, especially relating to food security.

She added that genome editing was also targeted at improving the way and method things are done.

Solebo recalled that in an effort to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition aggravated by climate change, the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), had launched the African Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA)CRISPR Course in January 2023, in Kenya.

According to her, this was to build capacity in gene editing for crop improvement among national program scientists in Africa.

She further disclosed that the course was designed and coordinated by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), and delivered in partnership with the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) at Berkeley and IITA.

The director said the first cohort included 10 doctorate-level scientists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco and Nigeria.

Solebo said these were the nations desiring to upgrade their skills in advanced crop breeding using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR).

She explained that CRISPR was a tool that allows scientists to make precise and specific changes to DNA sequences in living organisms, including crops.

“The technology will allow plant breeders to improve the crop varieties for resiliency to climate change and biotic and abiotic stresses as well as yield and nutritional content for important vitamins and minerals.

“These vitamins and minerals are critical for human health and development,” Solebo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Participants at the workshop
Science & Tech

AUDA-NEPAD, NABDA meet to validate genome editing communication strategy

By Sylvester Thompson

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD CoE-STI), in collaboration with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), on Thursday stressed the need to validate genome editing communication strategy in Nigeria.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the NABDA, said this at a four-day national genome editing communication and advocacy strategy and action plan stakeholders’ validation workshop in Abuja.

Genome editing technology is an emerging technology that finds application in various fields.

In agriculture, the technology uses information in the DNA of a plant to activate its dormant character that would help it to be healthy and more productive.

Mustapha said the workshop was to propagate the technology and its implications for solving challenges in different sectors in Nigeria, but that agriculture was the focus presently.

He said the communication and advocacy strategy and action plan on genome editing in Nigeria was born out of collaboration.

Mustapha disclosed that the collaboration was between the Centre of Excellence in Science Technology and Innovation (CoE-STI) of AUDA-NEPAD, NABDA and other relevant stakeholders.

“Championed by the CoE-STI of AUDA-NEPAD, this initiative began in Nigeria in October 2022, with NABDA as the focal institution saddled with the responsibility to lead this frontier of science.

“Several successful engagements and activities have been executed in previous months, and the outcomes are the reason we have gathered here today for this validation workshop,” he said.

He said that the goal of the workshop was to examine a critical aspect of genome editing, the effective communication of its benefits, risks, and ethical considerations to the Nigerian population.

Mustapha said the stakeholders recognised the importance of fostering a well-informed society that would engage in meaningful discussions, make informed decisions, and contribute to shape policies that aligned with cultural, social, and ethical values.

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Expert Supervisor at the CoE of the AUDA -NEPAD, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the event, said the workshop was very critical.

According to him, it was to review and validate the work previously done on genome editing in the country in December 2022.

Responding to the level of acceptance of the technology in Africa, he said that though every technology had its initial challenges, genome editing was still new.

He, however, stated that African countries such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini and Ethiopia, all have policies that already showed positivity.

Akinbo said the governments of these countries all saw and acknowledged the potential of the technology and its innovation.

“We are at the stage of implementation of product-based communication and as we have this product in the market, we are able to say this is the proof.

“From the level of acceptance that we have seen, when it is fully blown in the market, it will go through the rout of other technologies with bias because information is power.

“This is when the level of knowledge that will translate shall determine the level of acceptability,” he said.

Dr Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, acting Director of Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department of NABDA and Facilitator of the AUDA-NEPAP/NABDA project, said the technology was useful for Nigeria and Africa.

She expressed optimism that the successful domestication of the technology in Nigeria would translate to enhanced agricultural productivity.

Solebo said all stakeholders identified and engaged in the project would go a long way to facilitate domestication of the technology in Nigeria in order to have a good understanding of it.

“We can also use it to solve our problems as we deem fit because we will have  control of it, even when we need to partner with industries or other external bodies, we will still have it,” she said.

Dr Agnes Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) said regulation was key; adding that the workshop would come up with an action plan that would be made public. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

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