Jonathan's unveiling as AATF ambassador will boost agric-tech adoption

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The Director, Agricultural Biotechnology at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr Rose Gidado has said that the recent unveiling of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Goodwill Ambassador of the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) will boost agricultural technology adoption in Africa.

Recall that the ex-Nigerian President was recently unveiled as the AATF Goodwill Ambassador in Abuja.

Dr Gidado said this development is a boost to both farmers and technology developers and a great milestone for African agriculture.

She recalled that the former Nigerian President opened the gate to the commercialization of genetically modified crops and was a pillar of support for technology during his tenure.

“Of course, you know that Jonathan was the President of Nigeria who was a pillar of support for us during his tenure as president. He was the one who opened the gate to the commercialization of genetically modified crops. He is also passionate about agriculture.

“So, his adoption as a goodwill ambassador of course will lift the farmers higher, give confidence to farmers who are adopting this technology and it will also douse the noise of these anti-technology people not just in Nigeria, but Africa as a whole. Jonathan is one person who is well respected.

“To us the scientists, we are also encouraged, we are happy so that we can do more, the technology will be more acceptable now, people will have more confidence and trust, it will help us to build trust on people on the technology so that we can do more to enhance food security. It is a big boost in the area of food security”, she said.

Dr Gidado said when efforts are put into the technology in Nigeria, the country is going to have more indigenous crops being improved.

“We have orphan crops that can also be brought into limelight, apply the technology, take care of the deficiency into those crops, it can make us export especially cotton which is a cash crop.

“If we export so many, it means we are diversifying the economy and agriculture is playing a great role and we are going to earn more in terms of foreign exchange”, she said.

“We have not seemed to develop our own indigenous things and exporting, but once we begin to do it, this will really ginger the federal government and the research institutes and make us do more,” Dr Gidado added.

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