Stakeholders have emphasised that Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) technology offers huge benefits to African farmers in boosting food production and achieving food security in Nigeria.
They made this known on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, during a field visit to two GMO demonstration farms within Abuja, led by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
Mr. Yarama Ndirpaya, Programme Manager for Tela Nigeria at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), said the goal of GMO technology is to provide innovative agricultural solutions tailored to the needs and ecological contexts of African farmers.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that farmers have access to agricultural technologies that will increase their productivity,” Ndirpaya said.
He stressed the importance of farmers understanding the technology, using it effectively, and benefiting from improved yields and profitability, especially for smallholder farmers.
“Tela maize, for instance, is a conventional maize variety enhanced through scientific innovation to resist pests, tolerate drought, and boost overall productivity,” he said.
Ndirpaya expressed concern over the growing challenge of food insecurity, worsened by climate change.
He noted that providing farmers with climate-resilient technologies like GMO crops is crucial to addressing these issues.
“AATF operates in over 24 African countries. But for Nigeria to maximise productivity, the government must support farmers by developing credible seed systems,” he added.
The farms visited showcased two GMO crops: Tela maize and the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea.
The PBR cowpea, also known as SAMPEA 20-T or Bt cowpea, is a genetically modified variety designed to resist the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata), a major pest affecting cowpea production.
The resistance is achieved by incorporating a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
Dr Rose Gidado, Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), commended the adoption of PBR cowpea, noting that Nigeria remains the largest producer and consumer of cowpea globally.
She expressed optimism about GMO technology, stating that over 45 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana, have adopted it.
“Nigeria was the first African country to commercialise a food crop, the PBR cowpea in 2019.
“Today, only Nigeria and Ghana have commercialised the cowpea, making Nigeria a pioneer in this breakthrough,” she said.
Dr Charles Ogunremi, Farm Manager at NABDA, stated that the PBR cowpea is a climate-smart crop that can thrive under changing climate conditions.
He said the variety is also replantable, providing more flexibility for farmers.
Also speaking, Mr. Andrew Nanfwang, a GMO farmer, testified to the effectiveness of the technology, stating that Tela maize has significantly improved his yield and farming outcomes.
By Abigael Joshua