A coalition of Nigeria’s Agricultural Research System (NARS), led by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), has maintained that genetically modified crops are safe and pose no harm to humans, animals and the environment.
   
The group, comprising National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, National Agricultural Seed Council, National Agricultural Quarantine Service, Sheda Science and Technology Complex and National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the government focal agency for the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), unanimously affirmed the safety and benefits of genetically modified crops.
   
The coalition’s position comes on the heels of recent media campaign against GM technology in the country. The group noted that the campaigners were bent on turning the country into a dumping ground for GMOs produced in other countries.
   
Executive Secretary of ARCN,  Prof. Garuba Sharubutu, who led other stakeholders to address a  press briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that the Research  Council is saddled with the responsibilities of advising the Federal Government on national policies and priorities in agricultural research, training and extension activities, including research into the application of biotechnology research in agriculture to improve crop plants and livestock breed, thereby increasing their productivity, while boosting food security of the nation.
   
“Research institutes have the mandate for genetic improvement of all staple and cash crops, livestock and fisheries. In achieving these mandates, the application of agricultural biotechnology in their research activities offers a novel way to develop varieties of crop plants and livestock breeds that are resilient to stresses arising from the impact of climate change and the quest to increase crop productivity by addressing farming problems,” Sharubutu said.
   
According to him biotechnology has been used successfully to increase productivity in corn, soybean and cotton by combating insect pests and drought in other parts of the world, including the United States of America (U.S.A), Europe, Brazil, Argentina and South Africa.
   
In his address, Director General, National Agriculture Biotechnology Development (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that the ongoing debate regarding the safety of GMO plants on human and environmental health in Nigeria has been reignited by the introduction of the Tela Maize, sparking controversy, misinformation and misunderstanding, which has resulted in widespread fear and skepticism among the public. 
   
He said: “GMOs represent a crucial advancement in the field of biotechnology, offering a myriad of benefits that span across agriculture, food security, health, industry and the environment. These genetically modified organisms have the potential to revolutionise our approach to addressing pressing global challenges, such as food scarcity, malnutrition and environmental sustainability.”