How GM technology can mitigate effects of climate change in Nigeria

Climate change has been a major menace in agricultural production especially for Nigeria that is fighting hard to produce enough food for its growing population.

According at a publication by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in collaboration with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the primary cause of climate change is the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere resulting to increased greenhouse effect.

The publication said the rising changing temperature around the world is becoming alarming. In Nigeria, a temperature rise of 1.5°C to 2.5°C have been predicted. The consequences of these are heart breaking, posing serious threats to the development of all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

There is a strong link between climate change and agriculture. The continued effect of climate change coupled with global population and income growth, puts Nigeria at the risk of food insecurity.

According to the publication, climate change is triggered by two elementary factors: natural causes (biogeographical processes) and hominid (anthropogenic) activities. The biogeographical processes include the planetary and the extraterrestrial factors. Greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gas which absorbs and emits radiant energy within thermal infrared array.

It said “conventional agricultural practices add to climate change by anthropogenic release of greenhouse gases. In 2010, it was reported that the combination of agriculture, forestry and land-use change contributed 25% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions. The current agricultural activities are a significant source of Green House Gases (GHG) that intensifies climate disruption.

Agricultural biotechnology has proven to be the most dependable solution to mitigate climate change through the use of climate smart crops, energy efficient farming, and reduced synthetic fertilizer usage and carbon sequestration.

“Fertilizers are the major source of nitrous oxide (N,O). The global warming potential (GWP) of N,O is 296 which is 300 times greater than CO, coupled with the fact that N,O stays in the atmosphere for more than a century. Nitrogen fertilizer accounts for one-third of the GHGs produced by agriculture. Reduced fertilizer use will also mean less nitrogen pollution of ground and surface waters”, the publication said.

The adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) Cowpea in Nigeria means the mitigation of climate mitigation by reducing the amount of chemical spray.

The conventional cowpea allows about 6 to 8 times spray of chemicals to control the pod borer, but the GM cowpea allows just about 2 to 3 times spray of chemicals. The application of agricultural biotechnology provides an ultimate way to combating the deleterious effects of climate change on agriculture by offering new opportunities for improving stress resistance.

“Following the deleterious effects of these adverse changes in climate to the agricultural system of Nigeria, planting of climate smart crops is the way out.

“Recent studies by some Nigerian scientists have reported that the Nigerian Bt cotton is a climate smart crop. The Bt cotton is able to grow well with minimal water requirement. This will also go a long way in salvaging the drought situation in the north east and north west of Nigeria”, the publication noted.

“Advances in breeding help agriculture achieve higher yields and meet the needs of expanding population with limited land and water resources. As a result of improved plant breeding techniques, the productivity gains in worldwide production of primary crops, including maize, wheat, rice and oilseed has increased by 21% since 1995, while total land devoted to these crops has increased by only 2%”, the publication added.

It has been established that planting GM crops have resulted in momentous decreased in the amount of greenhouse gasses produced. The reason for this is because genetically modified crops do not need plentiful maintenance as conventional crops.