By Emmanuel Elebeke, Abuja

The Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha says all is now set for the release of new variety of maize called “Tela Maiza” in the first quarter of 2024.

Prof. Mustapha stated this on Thursday during a media parley to mark end of the year at the NABDA’s headquarters, Abuja.

This, he said is in line with the present Government’s agenda to provide solutions to food insecurity in the country.

Tela maize is a product of modern biotechnology developed by National Institute for Agricultural Research, NIAREC with African Agricultural  Technology Foundation, AATF in partnership with NABDA.

And to increase their yield, the DG urged farmers across the country to deploy scientific and technological tools.

The NABDA boss said biotechnology has already shown its potential with benefits demonstrated across 30 countries and for farmers big and small, adding that the technology has produced insect resistant crop varieties, biofortified staples packed with crucial vitamins and minerals.

Prof. Mustapha further noted that agricultural biotechnology offers solutions for greater productivity and food access but lamented that  critics of this technology have fed the public with negative and untrue information about biotechnology and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

“For long, these naysayers dominated the minds of the public with unfounded narratives about modern biotechnology, choosing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as the main target. 

“The voices of these naysayers reverberated even louder in Nigeria and other African countries because the scientists who embodied the true knowledge of the sciences behind GMOs and other products of modern biotechnology could not identify veritable platforms for countering the horde of misinformation/disinformation/mal information that had been thrown into the public space”, he said.

The NABDA boss however said many years down the line, the public has been offered a fair share of scientifically proven information that have countered the wrong narratives peddled by anti-GMOs. 

He said with a clear vision to make Biotechnology the engine of growth for socio-economic development of Nigeria, NABDA has the mission of promoting biotechnology activities that positively respond to national aspirations on food security, job/wealth creation, affordable healthcare delivery, and sustainable environment. 

According to him, there are testimonies from the farmers across the country who are benefiting from products of modern agricultural biotechnology in the country such as the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea developed by Nigerian scientists at Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria which is helping farmers overcome the devastating impacts of Marcuca vitrata that causes 80% destruction on the farmers’ field.

Professor Mustapha further noted that Nigeria’s efforts at making biotechnology the fulcrum for national development have garnered international recognition and solidified Nigeria’s position as a key player in the global biotechnology landscape. 

On the to raising the next generation of scientists with special interest in Biotechnology, he said, “NABDA is working on a partnership with the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) to commercialize research and development findings and harness indigenous talents. 

In her remarks, the Director of OFAB, Dr. Rose Gidaddo said their plan next year is to create awareness about the release of the Tela Maize, which she said would result in increase in farmers yield when adopted.

Recall that the agency last year released BT Cotton and BT Cowpea which are currently being adopted and distributed to farmers.