Kabiru Ibrahim, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, believes that the country can accelerate its journey towards food security by adopting Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seeds.
His statements coincide with the ongoing discussions regarding the safety implications of GMO plants on human health and the environment in Nigeria.
In May, the House of Representatives urged for a halt on GMOs in Nigeria until a thorough investigation is conducted, following extensive debates and concerns raised by various groups. This decision was prompted by a motion put forward by Muktar Shagaya, the legislator representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in Kwara State.
As reported by The Naijatraffic, Shagaya criticized the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for granting approval for the introduction of GM crops without following proper protocols and scientific procedures.
In 2019, the NBMA introduced GM crops into the country as part of efforts to address food insecurity.
In 2022, Rufus Ebegba, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NBMA, emphasized that the GMOs approved in Nigeria do not pose any associated risks.
Despite this assurance, various health and environmental advocates have expressed opposition to the introduction of GMOs, arguing that it goes against the principles of food sovereignty.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been modified through biotechnology techniques, allowing specific genes to be transferred between organisms. This process, also known as genetic engineering, is utilized to enhance plant protection by introducing resistance to diseases caused by insects or viruses.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of GMO foods, including potential allergic reactions and gene transfer from food to humans, as well as interactions between GM and conventional crops. WHO recommends the use of gene transfer technology that excludes antibiotic resistance genes and advocates for maintaining a clear separation between fields growing GM crops and conventional crops.
Recently, the debate resurfaced on social media platforms, with individuals expressing concerns that many cowpeas, commonly known as beans, available in the market are GMO crops. Some users called for protests against GMO maize, beans, and eggs, highlighting the presence of a GMO bean variety called Pod Resistant Variety launched in 2019.
He asked other tweeps to “ask the woman (when you buy akara tonight) if it is a GMO seed she’s frying. Ask the Mallam in the market if na GMO beans he’s selling.” (sic).
The AFAN president countered claims against GM crops, stating that they increase yield, ensure food security, and are scientifically proven to be safe.
He challenged critics to provide evidence linking GM crops to diseases, emphasizing that none has been presented.
“He noted that the Pod Borer Resistant cowpea, being contested against, was modified to withstand insect infestation and drought, making it have a higher yield than the normal seed type.
“Therefore, the advantage is that it would even take farmers out of poverty. We launched the PBR cowpea in Alausa in Lagos State, two years ago. Akara and Moi Moi were made with it and people came and ate and we also ate out of it and we are healthy,” the AFAN president stated.
The former Poultry Farmers Association president cited the biosafety law, noting that the Nigerian Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) strictly regulates GM crops, only approving their release if they meet rigorous safety standards.
The AFAN president also rejected the idea that GM crops lead to famine, instead emphasizing that GMOs boost production, yield, and prosperity.
“In Nigeria, we have just released the Tela maize. The Tela maize can withstand drought, army worms, and can withstand stem borers. Also, its yield is higher than the normal hybrid maize.
“Therefore, the way out of poverty and to get into food security for Nigeria is through GM crops. This is why Brazil is now a developed country. Most of what comes out of Brazil, in terms of corn, beans, and all that, are all GM.
“We have also imported maize for the poultry industry from Argentina and it is in Lagos. Because of the competition between animals and humans, we need to embrace GM crops so that we will be able to optimise our productivity and be able to feed both our animals and humans,” Ibrahim highlighted.
The AFAN president called out GM crop critics, demanding they produce scientific evidence to support their claims, rather than relying on unsubstantiated allegations.
“Any country in the world that you see has food security, as a matter of fact, they also do GMO. Nigeria will attain food security if it embraces GM crops.
“Our population is very high. Today we are over 200 million and are struggling or grappling with food security. What will happen when we are 400 million?
“We should explore all possibilities to attain food security. So anybody who tells you that GM crops or seeds are infertile or whatever, they don’t know what they are talking about,” he insisted.
The AFAN president attributed the current food crisis to naira devaluation, insecurity, climate change, and corruption, emphasizing that addressing food security requires tackling these underlying issues.
He advocated for local food production to reduce reliance on imports, lower food prices, and increase availability, rather than relying on costly imported food items.
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