The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has reiterated the commitment of farmers to adopting biotechnology as a means of contributing to the country’s food security and wealth creation.
AFAN Vice President, Chief Daniel Okafor, refuted reports suggesting that farmers rejected the newly launched transgenic maize variety called TELA. Okafor, who is also the National President of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), stated that Nigerian farmers cannot shy away from a technology capable of increasing agricultural yield.
Acknowledging the current food insecurity amid a growing population, Okafor emphasized the need for drastic measures to meet local food demand. “Farmers are ready to adopt technologies that will improve their yield and give them maximum outputs. We cannot shy away from the fact that we need improvements in agricultural seed production. We are facing a food crisis that needs urgent attention, and our population is growing daily,” he said.
Okafor further noted that Nigerian farmers have collaborated with relevant government agencies, such as the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), to ensure the safety of genetically modified (GM) seeds. He assured that the biotechnology seeds produced in Nigeria by local breeders are safe for human consumption and do not harm the soil.
“We urge the general public to disregard any information from impostors posing as AFAN representatives. As farmer leaders, we cannot accept any technology blindly without proper investigation,” Okafor added.
