AATF Highlights Safety, Criticizes Anti-GMO Stance

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation’s (AATF) TELA/BMSS Project Manager, Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, has warned anti-GMO activists against demonising genetically modified organisms (GMOs), claiming that GMO goods are safe.

“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.”

Another difficulty, according to the AATF project manager, is the rise of anti-GMO technological activism in Africa, which includes court cases aimed at preventing African farmers from cultivating genetically modified crops.

“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 stated that he oversaw the TELA Maize Project and was pleased that the variety could be made available to farmers following collaboration with the different partners.

He also mentioned that he was receiving feedback indicating that farmers were satisfied with the technique.

He claimed that his charity, working with NBRDA, was able to provide the technology to farmers who were thrilled to have a new product to contribute to Nigeria’s maize supply.

Oikeh went on to say that the commodity may remain in farmers’ hands with more effort and collaboration.

He believes that in order to produce seeds and sell them to farmers at reasonable costs, a seed system that encourages the highest quality of products should be created with the help of interested seed corporations.

According to him, comparative analyses revealed that with the exception of imported traits like insect resistance and drought tolerance, GM and conventional maize were comparable in terms of phenotypic (observable) and agronomic characteristics.

The expert also noted that there are proven parallels in the nutritional makeup of conventional and genetically modified maize, with particular attention to secondary metabolites, proximates, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and anti-nutrients.

Oikeh revealed that every clearance has strict requirements, emphasising the post-GM release approval circumstances.

According to him, these included regulations for stewardship, movement permission requirements, labelling for consumer information, safety and environmental monitoring criteria, and reporting requirements.

“ General safety conclusion is that farmers will use less pesticides with Biotech (Bt) maize, and excessive pesticides harm to pollinators will be avoided.”

One of the main obstacles, he added, is the protracted delays in some nations’ environmental releases and a variety of release clearances for commercialisation, which are caused by a lack of political will.

NAN