The other side of Nigeria’s GM beans The Punch
Published 8 July 2021
“When we think of food as just a commodity for the market, then we have missed the point”
– Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation
In 2019, after 10 years of research, field trials and biosafety confirmation, the Federal Government approved the registration and commercial release of a new genetically modified cowpea (aka beans) to Nigerian farmers. The GM bean (christened SAMPEA 20-T) was genetically engineered to resist a ravaging pest known as pod-borers or maruca vitrata.
Nevertheless, as the SAMPEA 20-T is now unveiled to farmers this year, I have cause to advise for caution in the widespread commercial production of this new GM beans. The most important factor to be considered is that the genetically modified beans contain the gene known as Cry1AB Bt gene, which was developed by a Western biotech company, Monsanto (now Bayer). Since the first goal of any busine
A coalition of civil societies, under the aegis of GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), on Thursday, called for the urgent ban on genetic modifications of food crops and animals.
Continued from yesterday
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation or building of structures at nano or very tiny scale. Robots like drones which are used to autonomously plant seeds, tend the crops and harvest them. Satellite imaging, weather tracking and possibly geoengineering can come into play. 3D Food Printing – There are ongoing research on printing of foods so that you can have the food you need with a combination of specifications at the press of a button. These would offer digitalised nutrition and customised food designs. x
A History and a future
From the signing of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act in 2015, things have taken a predictable downward spiral in Nigeria. Indeed, the dangerous slide probably began with the establishment of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in November 2001 on the strength of a National Biotechnology Policy adopted in April 2001. [12] Setting up an institution such as NABDA