Abdullahi Mustapha Assures Farmers on Safe GM Technology During Biotechnology Workshop in Kano Nigeria Agricultural Push

In Kano, a fresh push to reshape how farming is understood in Nigeria took centre stage as the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) addressed farmers, extension workers, and traditional rulers in a one-day sensitisation programme.

At the heart of the message was a clear reassurance from the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha: modern biotechnology—including genetically modified (GM) crops—is safe, tested, and aimed at improving livelihoods, not threatening them.

The gathering wasn’t just technical.

It felt like an attempt to close the gap between laboratory science and the everyday reality of smallholder farmers who often rely on tradition, experience, and weather luck more than data.

“We’re not replacing farmers, we’re supporting them”

Prof. Mustapha leaned heavily on a message of reassurance, insisting that biotechnology is not designed to replace farmers’ knowledge but to strengthen it.

He described farmers as the backbone of Nigeria’s food system and argued that new agricultural tools are meant to help them produce more with less stress.

According to him, genetically modified crops are created to resist pests and diseases that often wipe out harvests before they reach the market.

In practical terms, that means fewer losses, more stable yields, and better income predictability.

How GM crops are tested before reaching farms

One of the biggest concerns often raised about GM technology is safety.

Mustapha addressed this directly, explaining that no genetically modified crop enters Nigerian markets without passing strict scientific and regulatory checks.

He pointed to the National Biosafety Management Agency, which oversees approval processes involving scientists, environmental experts, and health specialists.

He also stressed that these crops are tested over several years, both locally and internationally, before approval.

This mirrors global practice, where genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been used for decades in countries like the United States, Brazil, and India under regulatory oversight.

Lower costs, higher yields, and less chemical use

A major selling point highlighted at the workshop was productivity.

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Mustapha explained that GM crops are engineered to survive pests that typically destroy significant portions of farmland.

That resilience, he said, translates into higher yields per hectare—something that directly affects food availability and farmers’ income.

Another key benefit is reduced reliance on pesticides.

Since some GM crops are designed to naturally resist insects, farmers may not need to spray chemicals as frequently.

That reduces costs and also lowers exposure to potentially harmful substances.

There’s also a labour angle. With fewer pest-related problems, farmers spend less time fighting crop damage and more time expanding operations or diversifying income sources.

Food security and rural livelihoods in focus

Beyond the farm level, the agency framed biotechnology as part of a bigger national goal: food security.

Nigeria continues to face pressure from population growth, climate variability, and rising food demand.

Officials argue that improved crop science could help close the production gap.

The broader expectation is that better yields will ripple outward—improving household nutrition, making school fees more manageable, and increasing access to healthcare and better living conditions.

Impact and Consequences

The push for genetically modified crops is likely to deepen debate in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Supporters see it as a practical response to low yields, pests, and climate stress, while critics often raise concerns about long-term environmental effects, seed dependency, and corporate control of agriculture.

For farmers in regions like Kano, the immediate impact could be increased exposure to new farming methods and potential access to higher-yield crops.

However, acceptance will depend heavily on trust, education, and affordability.

It may also influence policy direction, especially as Nigeria tries to reduce food imports and strengthen local production systems.

What’s next?

The NBRDA is expected to continue outreach programmes across farming communities, focusing on education and awareness about biotechnology.

More field demonstrations and stakeholder engagements are likely as regulators attempt to build confidence in GM crops.

In the longer term, Nigeria may expand the range of approved biotech crops, depending on regulatory outcomes and farmer adoption rates.

Summary

In Kano, Nigeria’s biotechnology agency reassured farmers that genetically modified crops are safe, regulated, and designed to improve agricultural output.

The message focused on higher yields, reduced costs, and improved food security, while stressing that traditional farming knowledge still matters.

The initiative is part of a wider effort to modernise agriculture and boost productivity across the country.

Bulleted Takeaways

• NBRDA assured farmers in Kano that GM technology is safe and beneficial
• Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha led a sensitisation workshop for farmers and traditional rulers
• GM crops undergo strict testing before approval by Nigeria’s biosafety regulators
• Benefits include higher yields, lower pest damage, and reduced pesticide use
• Farmers could spend less on inputs and earn more from improved harvests
• Biotechnology is presented as a tool to support—not replace—traditional farming knowledge
• Improved agriculture is linked to food security and better rural livelihoods
• Critics still raise concerns about long-term environmental and economic impacts
• Nigeria may expand biotech adoption through continued education and outreach programs