TELA/BMSS Project Manager at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Dr Sylvester Oikeh has cautioned anti-GMO activists against demonising Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), saying GMO products are safe.
Oikeh said this in an interview in Abuja.
“GMO products are safe and have come to stay in Nigeria and what I appeal is for us to stop demonising it and embrace the technology because technology has come to stay.”
The AATF project manager said increased anti-GMO technology activism in Africa with efforts to stop African farmers from growing genetically engineered crops, with court cases, was another challenge.
“Genetically engineered crops like TELA maize are safe because of rigorous biosafety regulatory approval process involved.
“What we need is to work with the various agencies involved, including the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) among others that are core developers of this technology.
“This would enable us to get the best of the technology to our farmers.”
Oikeh said that he coordinated a project called TELA Maize Project, expressing satisfaction that after working with various partners involved, they were able to release the variety to farmers.
He added that he was getting testimonies that farmers were happy with the technology.
He said his foundation in partnership with NBRDA was able to bring the technology to farmers who were excited that they had a new product to add to maize production in Nigeria.
Oikeh added that with more hard work and cooperation, the product could be sustained in the hands of farmers.
According to him, seed system that promotes best quality of the products should be developed using interested seed companies to produce the seeds and sell to farmers at affordable prices.
He said that comparative assessments showed GM maize and conventional maize were similar in phenotype (observable) and agronomic characters, except introduced traits consisting of drought tolerance and insect protection.
The expert added that demonstrated similarities exist in nutritional composition of GM maize and conventional maize focused on proximates, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, anti-nutrients, and secondary metabolites.
Highlighting post GM release approval conditions, Oikeh disclosed that every approval comes with stringent conditions.
He said these included safety and environmental monitoring conditions, reporting conditions, stewardship requirements, requirements for movement permits and labeling for consumer information.
“General safety conclusion is that farmers will use less pesticides with Biotech (Bt) maize, and excessive pesticides harm to pollinators will be avoided.”
He also mentioned prolonged delay in receiving environmental release and variety release approvals for commercialisation in some countries due to limited political will, as one of the major challenges.
NAN
