THE Director Agricultural Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr Rose Gidado has said that with the Nigeria’s growing population, biotechnology is the option to ensure that the country does not lack food.
Dr Gidado stated this while addressing journalists after a Biotechnology and Biosafety sensitisation workshop for senior editors held in Abuja.
She said biotechnology is meant to improve the life of the farmer through getting high yields from the crops they have planted.
“The challenges of climate change, insect infestation and drought require that we think out of the box as scientists to develop crops that will address these challenges.
“The farmer is there on the field, that is his source of livelihood, he doesn’t have any other thing, so we have to help them to come out of the situation they are in to have yield, and for the consumers to have quality products at the end of the day.
“So, we have to tell these stories to the editors and they have to understand that the population is growing geometrically and we have to feed this teeming population, in years to come if we don’t do it, we will be out of food and we will experience a lot of death rate”, Dr Gidado stated.
On his part, the Director-General of NABDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha said biotechnology is a transformative force that holds immense potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria and the world at large.
“From healthcare to agriculture, energy to environment, biotechnology offers solutions that can significantly impact the well-being of our citizens and the sustainability of our resources”, Professor Mustapha said.
He said collaboration and partnerships between the media, academia, and the biotechnology industry is vital.
“By working together, we can ensure that accurate information is readily available to the public, leading to a more informed and engaged society.
“As we progress through this workshop, I urge you to foster networks and relationships that will facilitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation in the realm of biotechnology communication” he noted.
Professor Mustapha further stated that the Agency has created awareness on biotechnology to various stakeholders especially farmers/ extension agents.
He expressed confidence that the collective efforts of editors in Nigeria can significantly contribute to the responsible and effective communication of agricultural biotechnology.
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