Biotech Updates

Nigeria Rep Says GM Technology Should Reach Grass Roots

December 21, 2011

Nigeria's Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology Abiodoun Akinlade said he would take initiatives to bring biotechnology to the grass root level so that farmers can benefit from it. He gave this assurance when he visited the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NBDA) in Abuja noting that "we are closer to the people at the grass root, we know their feelings and we know what they want."

Akinlade suggested that demonstration farms in different localities be set up so that farmers can see the different stages of the crop. "We need to convince Nigerian farmers why they will stop using the seed that their great grandfather gave them to plant," he stated.

NABDA will conduct monthly information campaigns through the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in areas outside Abuja to make the public more aware of the technology.

Check out http://allafrica.com/stories/201112150581.html for details of the story.