Nigeria: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual
The passage of a bio-safety bill has faced many hiccups in Nigeria, the country’s policy makers now appear to be set for the passage of the bill and subsequent executive assent. Having in place a bio-safety law will improve the livelihood of farmers and promote food security in Nigeria. In view of this, the National Assembly convened a public hearing on a bill for an act to establish the National Biosafety Management Agency for the country on October 16, 2014. The establishment of a National Bio-safety Management Agency will provide a regulatory framework, an institutional and administrative mechanism in the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria. As part of the interim regulatory arrangements, confined field trials are being conducted in the country for transgenic cow pea, sorghum and cassava varieties. Meanwhile, many Nigerian farmers are reported to have begun to plant biotech seeds smuggled into the country. Many imported processed foods and food ingredients consumed in the country are also believed to be products of agricultural biotechnology.
