Agencies Deploy Genome-editing Tech to Improve Agric Productivity
The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD),have introduced an initiative to improve agricultural productivity through genome-editing technology that will make African products competitive on the global stage and foster industrialization.
This was revealed in Abuja, during a two-day workshop for chief executives and experts in Research and academic Institutions on “Advancing Genome Editing (GEd) research in Nigeria” organised by AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation in collaboration with NABDA.
Genome-editing is a form of genetic engineering that addresses specific research areas in agriculture to produce better yielding seedlings for farmers to grow, which may reduce the time to maturity and raise the volume of productivity.
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Adeleke Mamora, said that Nigeria recognizes the efforts towards fostering a broader understanding of the GEd in Africa and is proud to associate with these lofty objectives.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, noted that the initiative would promisingly enhance the uptake of the tool to optimise a Improve griculture as well as support the achievement of key development outcomes, including, adaptation to climate change, reducing poverty, and enhancing economic sustainability.
The Permanent Secretary also commended NABDA, the lead agency for biotechnology in Nigeria, for piloting the genome edition technology project.
According to her the project would invent sustainable solution through well- focused research and development in areas of agriculture, health, industry and environment for national development.
Her words: “Genome -editing technology has the potential to revitalise agricultural productivity, promote food security and a sustainable environment in Nigeria. As a country, Nigeria supports the full uptake and optimization of the laudable programme. A significant benefit of this cutting-edge technology is that it can be seamlessly applied to a variety of existing research and development”. programmes.
“In addition, Nigeria’s extant biosafety guidelines are robust and explicit on genome-edited products, providing the necessary regulatory environment for the introduction and adoption of genome-editing tools for the innovation of products and services for the growing Nigerian populace.”
Also in his remarks, the Director General of NABDA, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, expressed delight at the level of engagement of AUDA- NEPAD in science, technology and innovation in Nigeria,
He therefore said that the choice of NABDA as a focal point for this initiative is most appropriate as the agency has the national mandate for promotion, research, development and adoption of biotechnology in different sectors of the economy.
“NABDA Act of 2022 empowers us for this role. NABDA is therefore poised to lead the genome-editing programme that is being championed by AUDA-NEPAD. The initiative will power innovation in the continent and promote its drive towards global competitiveness”, he said.
Speaking with journalism, Acting Director of Programme, Knowledge Management, Evaluation and Head of Centers of Excellence of AUDA-NEPAD, Florence Nazare, urged for more investment in the research and development component of the project to push industrialization.
She said, “if you are talking about industrialization, we need to have more resources for industrialization so that we can innovate. So, this project will be sustainable when it comes to the financing model, and we urge governments to put more resources in their domestic budgets”.
she said, adding that resource mobilization is important in the industrialization drive of the continent through Genome-Editing technology.
Agro Nigeria/ Foluke Ibitomi
