The Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NAGDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has disclosed that, Nigeria is ever-ready for genome editing technology with the biosafety laws in place.
According to him, this intervention would boost agricultural productivity in the country.
He added that, genome editing technology is a technological advancement that aids in precision agriculture by allowing a crop’s genetic defects to be targeted and rectified, allowing the crop to produce its maximum output.
He listed the many advantages of the technique, including a shorter time between planting and harvesting, the ability to mitigate climate change, and the need for fewer pesticide applications.
“When used in agriculture, all the diseases bedeviling crops in the country, most especially crops of interest used as food and industrial raw materials are the ones being targeted,” he explained.
He added, “When this has been achieved, the country is going to gain quite a lot in terms of food supply and agricultural raw materials for industrial development.
“With that, there would be wealth creation as employment opportunities shall be available for our teeming population of youths.”
According to him, the technology was a project of the Center of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD). (STI).
“Genome editing technology is a technological advancement that aids in precision agriculture by allowing a crop’s genetic defects to be targeted and rectified”
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