Foundation commends Nigeria for biotechnology adoption

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation AATF has commended the Nigerian government on its openness to the deployment and adoption of biotechnology in the country.

The Executive Director, AATF, Dr Kanangire Canisius who stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja said, Nigeria has shown its determination to use technology to address the food insecurity challenges.

Canisius disclosed that he is in Nigeria on a solidarity visit to thank the government and people in the last few years.

He said the country has one of the most functional policies, laws, regulations, structures and adequate institutional framework and human resources to safely deploy biotechnologies to improve productivity.

“We have witnessed the openness with which the Federal Government of Nigeria has operated in the last few years in granting research, product development and product release permits for the good of its citizens while most other countries are still held back by indecisiveness.

“There is much more than we can do together going forward and we look forward to these opportunities

“The benefits of these technologies will begin to manifest as we are already seeing in the case of the PBR Cowpea”, he added

While noting that Africa is bedeviled by hunger, poverty and malnutrition,  he said the continent needs the political will of its leaders to overcome.

He however encouraged the Federal Government and Nigerians to remain committed to serving the needs of people through the technological path chosen and ensure the gains are sustainable.

Dominica Nwabufo