NBDA Trains Senior Editors on Effective Reportage of Agricultural Biotechnology

By Fabian Anawo

Thirty Senior Editors, cutting across, the print, broadcast and online media, have been trained in understanding the role of biotechnology in food production, food sufficiency and food security.

The one day training which was held in Lagos was courtesy the National Biotechnology Development Agency.

The Director General of the agency, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that it was important to train the editors because they are the last gate keepers in disseminating information to members of the public.

” Biotechnology is a transformative field that has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria and the world at large, from agriculture to healthcare, from environmental conservation to industrial innovation, biotechnology is at the forefront of driving positive change “. He said

” For agricultural biotechnology to reach its full potential, it must be understood, accepted, and embraced by the public, hence the agency wants to ensure that accurate and balanced reportage about agricultural biotechnology is readily available to all Nigerians to make informed decisions about its applications and impacts on our society ” . Mustapha

Addressing participants, the Lead, Product Stewardship at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Francis Nwankwo said that Africa cannot feed itself without biotechnology.

” Genetically Modified food was the way to go as they have high yields, good quality and are safe for human consumption, adding that, besides, genetically modified foods are grown under strict scientific guidelines, hence the need to regulate it “. Nwankwo

He noted, that was why the Federal Government established the National Biosafety Management Agency in 2015 to ensure that all agricultural produce that are products of biotechnology meet the required safety standards for consumption.