The Federal Government has been urged to encourage farmers to embrace global technologies that would improve crop yield and ensure food security in the country amidst Covid-19 pandemic.
Country Representative, Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology OFAB, Dr. Rose Gidado, acknowledged that this would avert production disruptions caused by pests and Covid-19 lockdown.
She said that at this critical stage in Nigeria’s history, food is most paramount and should be sourced from all available channels.
In her words “For a nation to build, to become a developed nation, it should be able to feed its population, but we are still not able to do that, therefore it is better to adopt appropriate technologies and localise them for the development of home grown crops”.
Gidado further recommended the need to mechanise the Nigerian system of farming. She said mechanisation and the use of drones in application of chemicals by developed countries, is the way to go.
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She added that the use of digital technology and satellite imagery would help detect any occurring problem even in the middle of a 400-hectare farmland.
She said OFAB is assisting farmers by linking them with seed companies to access improved seeds and farm inputs, especially in this period of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Country Representative said Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs could help in the area of nutrition security by designing crops with essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that will be used in boosting the body immune system, especially in children.
She assured that farmers have nothing to lose by adopting GM crops adding that they are usually pest and climate change resistant and would elimate losses incurred due to insects infestations, weeding and other factors.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
