Professor Qrisstuberg Amua, vice Chancellor of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, has vehemently refuted the claim that Nigeria cannot survive without genetically modified organisms (GMOs), describing the claim as a marketing ploy.
speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television; Prof. Amua responded to remarks made by Dr. Agnes Asagbra, the director-general of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), who claimed that the adoption of GMOs would determine Nigeria’s survival.
I felt ashamed and infuriated about it. Shameful ! He continued, ” “
We cannot survive without GMO seeds, not a fact, it is not. ”
Amua, a native of Benue State, noted that a large portion of the region’s fruit is currently produced in waste because there isn’t enough preservation infrastructure, and not because GMOs are absent.
Instead of using seed genetics, he attributed Nigeria’s food insecurity to economic malaise and poor post-harvest technology.
Nigeria’s problem is not a GMO, it is. Lack of economic opportunity, processing capacity, and preservation technology are the reasons for this. ”
He referred to GMO use as a political and commercial strategy.
He claimed that the use of GMOs as a marketing tactic was to “erode” the national sovereignty of supposedly independent nations.
Prof. Amua expressed concern about the rise in institutional GMO promotion, stating:
I’m not making up any accusations, but I’m concerned. ”
Amua raised concerns about the chemical substances used to control pests and how they affect crops in response to Dr. Asagbra’s comments on the PBR cowpea. He made reference to Roundup herbicide, which he claimed is now frequently used to dry crops before harvest.
Because of the chemicals present in the crops, he warned, “That has or definitely will have consequences for my health.”
Prof. Prof. on the GMO regulation issue Amua expressed doubt.
How could that ever occur? He questioned the ability of the regulatory system to control every food item in circulation. ”
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He illustrated this illustration using a street food vendor example.
In the Nigerian context, he said, making reference to local eats like pap and other processed foods.
Amua also emphasized the negative effects of pro-GMO adoption on people.
He remarked that “our agriculture employs the highest number of people,” citing the fact that vulnerable populations are being fended off by unregulated GMO products and small-scale farmers are being forced to close their doors.
