By Sani Aliyu, Zaria
The Executive Director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU), Zaria, Professor Ado Yusuf, has issued a clarion call to the Nigerian populace to embrace science and technology as tools to solve human problems, mitigate hunger, and ensure food security.
He made this call at the Symposium on Biotechnology Crops: Myths, Fallacies, and Facts, held at the Bala Usman Assembly Hall, ABU Zaria, and organized by the institute.
Professor Ado Yusuf stated that they stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation, where the past meets the future in the quest for sustainable agriculture.
He emphasized that this symposium is a testament to the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)'s commitment to continuously enlightening the public on issues that concern their well-being.
He further stated that it is their duty to ensure that the University community, farmers, and the general public are well-informed about the advancements that shape their lives and livelihoods.
The Director added that agriculture has always been central to human survival. From the earliest days of hunting and gathering, we have evolved to domesticate crops and animals, integrating beneficial traits from one variety into another to improve resistance, yield, and quality.
He explained that modern agriculture leverages biotechnology and gene editing to address challenges like pests, diseases, and climate change, offering immense promise for global food security.
"At the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, we have been at the forefront of crop improvement for over a century. Our journey has evolved from traditional breeding methods to adopting advanced biotechnology and gene editing. This evolution has led to the release of several genetically improved crop varieties, including 2 Bt Cotton, 1 Bt Cowpea (beans), and 4 Bt Maize varieties.
These crops, resistant to devastating pests that have historically plagued conventional varieties and caused significant losses for farmers, offer several benefits. Farmers adopting these improved varieties have reported yield increases of up to 30%, alongside reduced pesticide use, which benefits both the environment and their incomes.
As a public institution with a national mandate for the genetic improvement of crops, we are committed to ensuring that our research outcomes benefit all Nigerians. Our research is not conducted in isolation; it is driven by the needs of the people we serve.
Whether it is developing drought-resistant crops or combating pest infestations, our goal is to improve the livelihoods of farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector.
A recent example of our commitment is our intervention in Kaduna State during the 2023 ginger blight disease outbreak. Farmers in the state faced near-total crop losses, threatening their incomes and food security. In response, IAR dispatched a team of scientists to assess the situation and developed over five thousand disease-free ginger seedlings using modern biotechnology techniques in our tissue culture laboratory.
These seedlings, resistant to the blight disease, were donated to the Kaduna State government for distribution to affected farmers. This intervention not only saved livelihoods but also demonstrated the power of biotechnology in addressing agricultural crises.
This symposium, themed "Biotechnology Crops: the Myths, the Fallacies, and the Facts," is an opportunity to educate, inform, and inspire. It is a platform for us to dispel misconceptions, address fears, and present evidence-based facts about the benefits and safety of biotechnology.
To our brothers and sisters in the University community, to our farmers who are the primary adopters of our technologies, and to the public who are the end-users of our research outputs: I urge you to focus on the facts that will shape our perspectives and further the cause of humanity.
As we look to the future, IAR remains committed to pushing the boundaries of agricultural research. We are exploring new frontiers in gene editing, such as CRISPR technology, to develop crops that are not only resistant to pests and diseases but also resilient to climate change. We are also strengthening partnerships with government agencies, private sector players, and international organizations to ensure that our research translates into tangible benefits for farmers and consumers alike.
Our vision is a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry, where farmers thrive, and where agriculture is a cornerstone of national development.
"I urge policymakers to create an enabling environment for the adoption of biotechnology products, researchers to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, and farmers to embrace these advances for a brighter future. Together, let us harness the transformative power of biotechnology to build a food-secure and prosperous Nigeria."
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