The Director-General of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, revealed that Nigerian farmers are already witnessing the advantages of genetically modified crops. He shared this information during the 'Biotechnology and Biosafety Sensitisation Workshop for Senior Editors' in Abuja.

According to Mustapha, farmers in Nigeria have embraced genetically modified crops, leading to a reduction in the use of chemical sprays for insect control on their beans farms. For instance, the pod borer resistant cowpea has proven to be effective in combating the destructive impact of marcuca vitrata, resulting in an 80 percent reduction in field damage. Additionally, the adoption of Bt. cotton, another innovative product of modern biotechnology, has positively transformed cotton farming and offers hope for the revival of the textile industry.

The NABDA DG emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity in the country, and NABDA, along with other related organizations, are working to expedite this progress. He stressed that biotechnology holds vast potential to address various critical challenges facing Nigeria and the world, ranging from healthcare and agriculture to energy and the environment.

Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department at NABDA, underscored the significance of educating editors about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure accurate and informed communication to the public. She noted that editors play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and understanding the technology's implications for society.

Yusuf Alli, the Managing Editor of the Northern Operation of The Nation Newspaper, shared his experience from the workshop and admitted that his perception of biotechnology crops changed significantly. He acknowledged that biotechnology could be the way forward for agriculture in Nigeria if the goal is to increase crop yields.