By Arc Kabiru Ibrahim
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, supported the passage of PVP Bill, Biosafety Bill and Seed Act at the National Assembly public hearing on separate occasions after studying the drafts and making input.
1. BIOSAFETY BILL
We will start with the Biosafety Bill which is already in place and deals with the safety of GM Technology and the release of GM crops for cultivation after ascertaining their safety for both human and animal consumption.
The authority to regulate this technology is vested in the National Biosafety Agency which has the responsibility of permitting the use of GMO crops after due diligence.
There is no scientifically established nexus between GMO and cancer but the Anti’s are all over the place trying to scuttle the effort to embrace Biotechnology which leads to the production of GM Technology that helps in the production of seeds which are high yielding ,drought and disease resistant thereby taking the farmer out of poverty.
2. THE SEED ACT 2019
The Seed Act 2019 already signed into law makes the NASC (National Agricultural Seed Council) the regulating authority of Agricultural seed in Nigeria.
The seed system is vital to Agricultural growth and requires extreme care in handling and use because it has life.
There is a clear distinction between seed and grain!
Unless this is properly regulated the farmers will continue to plant grains instead of seeds and thereby remain poor due to low yield.
Hybridization on farms and laboratories is allowed and regulated in the seed Act as such the farmers can retain their seeds that they develop over time.
PVP (plant variety protection) Bill is the copy right over varieties developed by breeders and farmers alike simple!
Without the protection provided by PVP the efforts of our researchers and breeders would be hijacked and other people will be reluctant to avail us with their material for use without control or remuneration.
From the foregoing the farmers have a simple mind and fully understand these bills and believe they will help them to carry on with their businesses sustainably.
Mr President is invited to kindly assent to the PVP Bill for the benefit of the Nigerian farmers.
Arc Ibrahim is National President of All farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
