…Says biotech potatoes may be released in 2026

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

The Principal Investigator of Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership, GBPP, Dr. Charles Amadi has faulted claims that Genetically Modified crops are responsible for the increase in diseases and called on Nigerians to embrace the technology as the aim is to ensure food security and good yield.

Dr. Amadi, who is the Director of Tuber Crops Research, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State allayed the fear at the weekend while speaking at Kuru, Jos South local government area of Plateau State on the benefits of the expected GBPP project which is ongoing in the State.

He stressed that those campaigning against GMOs may be afraid of losing their businesses if they allowed the technology to thrive and urged farmers especially those farming potatoes to discard the insinuations that biotech potatoes are harmful to humans.

His words, “The Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership (GBPP) is USAID Feed the Future funded initiative focused on the development and deployment of genetically modified (GM) potato varieties to address agricultural challenges and improve food security, particularly in developing countries.

“The project is to develop potato varieties that are resistant to major diseases, pests, and environmental stresses; enhance the nutritional quality and yield of potato crops, and ensure these improved potato varieties are accessible to smallholder farmers in developing regions.

“The partnership also aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing the environmental impact of potato farming through decreased pesticide use and better resource efficiency.”

He explained that there are ongoing field trials and regulatory assessments to ensure the safety and efficacy of the GM potato varieties as the partnership works on capacity building and training for farmers, extension workers, and regulators to support the adoption and proper management of these biotechnological innovations.

He stated, “A low yield of potatoes in Nigeria is caused by late blight disease. To protect potato crops, most farmers spray costly fungicides every few days. Fungicides used to control late blight disease of potatoes are not always available and may harm the environment if not properly used.

“The GBPP seeks to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by providing them with more robust and productive potato varieties. The partnership also aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing the environmental impact of potato farming through decreased pesticide use and better resource efficiency.”

He stressed that in biotech potatoes, “Certain wild potatoes possess natural resistance to late blight. Through research, the wild potato’s natural resistance has been copied and introduced into commonly grown potato varieties creating what is known as a genetically modified organism or GMO that is the same as the non-GMO variety grown by farmers.

“Extensive testing has confirmed that the only difference between GMO and non-GMO is their resistance to late blight. There is no difference between GMO and non-GMO potatoes in how they are grown, how they look, how they are harvested, how they are stored, how they are cooked, or how they taste. Biotech potatoes are not harmful.

“We are required by law to do regulatory, national performance, and on-farm trials before they can be released. We are now doing the second-year regulatory trial. We have to submit dossiers from the regulatory trial to NBMA for consideration for environmental release.

“We have to submit another dossier from the national performance and on-farm trial to the National Variety Release Committee for Commercial release to farmers. Realistically we expect to complete all these requirements by late 2026…”

Amadi cautioned the anti-GMO propagandists as he said, “Many groups spread false claims about GMOs. GMOs are extensively tested and do not cause cancer or allergies. They do not make you sick, do not make you impotent, or cause a miscarriage. GMOs offer farmers new options for crop varieties, with the choice to grow them or not.”

Also, Alex Abutu who is the Communication Officer (West and Central Africa) at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, AATF encouraged potato farmers to look out for biotech potatoes because; “If we tackle late blight, one of the problems affecting potatoes is solved and the project will help farmers provide food and maximize profits.”