The Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Khalid Ishiak, said there are 40 metric tons of Tela variety maize in Nigeria for farmers at the moment.
The official disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja amid the controversy surrounding the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) maize variety in Nigeria.
“The amount of Tela maize in the country surprised us because all we did was make sure that when farmers needed it, we would have nothing. For now, it is just a small amount of breeding seeds and 40 metric tons. Only 40 metric tons, which is still within the requirement,” Ishiak said.
He said that the researched seeds are directly released by the breeders of the research institute which they refer to as breeder seeds.
Background
Amid concerns over the adoption of genetically modified crops in Nigeria, the federal government in January approved the commercial release of four varieties of “Tela maize” for commercial cultivation in the country.
Tela corn is a variety of corn that has been genetically modified to improve insect resistance and drought tolerance, to increase farmers’ yield per hectare and also complement existing demand gaps.
The commercialization of maize varieties placed Nigeria second on the list of African countries that have adopted and commercialized “T” maize varieties after South Africa, said a report released in February by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN).
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According to the USDA report, in the 2022/2023 marketing year, Nigeria produced approximately 12.7 million metric tons (MMT) of maize, with an average yield of 2.2 tons per hectare. However, it noted that the adoption of the new maize varieties could significantly increase the country’s production capacity.
According to the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Tela maize yields could reach up to 10 tonnes per hectare if grown with good agronomic practices, the report said.
However, the adoption of Tela maize has generated controversy among anti-GMO groups in Nigeria, particularly the environmental think tank Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and several other groups, which have condemned the adoption of GMOs in the country.
In May, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to suspend the commercialization of genetically modified (GMO) crops in Nigeria amid persistent concerns over food and environmental safety.
Concerns about food sovereignty
Some environmentalists have argued that the decision to commercialize GM seeds would have far-reaching consequences in Nigeria and across Africa.
In addition to health and environmental concerns, critics of GMO technology in Nigeria say it violates the principles of “food sovereignty.”
This is because seeds are often patented and privatised, which could weaken the position of African farmers and communities and also increase the depletion of indigenous and conventional seed banks on the continent.
By implication, farmers in Nigeria and Africa in general would have to rely on GM seed manufacturers for seeds to grow some of their crops on an annual basis, they argue.
On Thursday, the Nigerian Agricultural Research System Coalition, led by the Nigerian Agricultural Research Council, maintained that GM crops are safe and do not pose any harm to humans, animals and the environment.
Mr. Ishiak, who was part of the team, took the opportunity to speak about concerns related to the viability and safety of GM seeds.
He stressed that the idea that seeds from harvested genetically modified materials cannot be replanted is incorrect.
“Seeds from GM materials obtained in Nigeria can be replanted. However, as with conventional seeds, we have always advised farmers to always buy new seeds for optimum yield increase. Planting farmers’ safe offshoots or seeds from harvested materials can result in yield reduction of 10-15 per cent and up to 25 per cent in some cases,” he said.
In his remarks, Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), Abdullahi Mustapha, said the ongoing debate on the safety of GM plants for human and environmental health in Nigeria has been rekindled with the introduction of Tela maize.
This, he said, has sparked controversy, misinformation and misunderstanding.
“This has created widespread fear and skepticism among the public. Our goal with this event is to alleviate public concerns, dispel misinformation and educate the nation about the safety and proven benefits of GMOs,” he said.
The official explained that GMOs represent a crucial advance in the field of biotechnology, offering a large number of benefits covering agriculture, food security, health, industry and the environment.
Mr. Mustapha explained that GMOs have the potential to revolutionize Nigeria’s approach to addressing pressing global challenges such as food scarcity, malnutrition and environmental sustainability.
He noted that by harnessing the power of genetic engineering, Nigerian scientists and researchers have developed crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases and adverse weather conditions, thereby ensuring a safer food supply for present and future generations.
“Some of these crops include Bt cowpea, Bt cotton and the newly launched Tela maize,” he said.
For her part, the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Agnes Asagbra, said the NBMA is committed to ensuring the safety and responsible regulation of GMOs in Nigeria.
“NBMA is the sole authority in Nigeria on biosecurity. We enforce the standards, guidelines and risk assessment procedures for GMOs. Our commitment is based on the National Biosecurity Management Agency Act and its regulations,” he said.
While there are concerns about long-term effects, he said the current scientific consensus, backed by the NBMA, is that GM foods approved for consumption in Nigeria are safe.
This, he said, is because rigorous risk assessments guide their decisions.
“Before granting approval for any genetically modified organism (GMO), the NBMA conducts rigorous risk assessments. These assessments evaluate the potential risks to human health, the environment and biodiversity,” said Ms Asagbra.
He explained that the GMO evaluation process involves scientific experts who analyze data, conduct experiments and evaluate the safety of the GMO in question.
He noted that the NBMA considers factors such as allergenicity, toxicity and unintended effects resulting from genetic modifications.
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Director of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), Rose Gidado, said Nigerian farmers are already planting Tela maize and some will be harvested in November.
Asked about concerns about labelling, Ms Gidado said the seeds in circulation are correctly labelled.
“Seeds are already labelled. Genetically modified products are labelled,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Garba Sharubutu, dismissed speculation that GM seeds are unsafe.
“That is the most worrying phenomenon. The agricultural research system has set up stations in almost every corner of this country. Every research institute has at least three adopted fields that are used to distribute most of our research,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to seek clarification from relevant authorities on the newly launched technology.
“Please get your original seeds from the source. Your number one source today, if you want to prosper, is the IAR, the National Biotechnology Agency and the Seed Council. Some people are even packaging fake seeds saying that someone has brought poison into this country. Please ask us when you are in doubt,” he said.