The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says genetically modified maize would get to Nigerian farmers in one year and six months.

NABDA’s Director-General, Abdullahi Mustapha, disclosed this at the 5th edition of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards in Abuja.

According to him, the maize variety has already been regulated by the National Biosafety Management Agency, meaning the genes of insert was certified safe by the agency.

He noted that the next phase of commercialisation was crucial to the success, adding that failure to get to farmers would signify a failure of the entire process.

Mr Mustapha applauded the rapid transformation of the agricultural biotechnology sector in Nigeria was undergoing and the progress made with cotton and cowpea.

He said the federal government recognised agricultural biotechnology as one of the pillars that would make meaningful contributions to food security in Nigeria.

He said primitive agricultural practices were facing various challenges, and that technology and innovation held the key to overcoming those challenges.

Country Coordinator, OFAB in Nigeria, Rose Gidado, said scientists and researchers were making progress in the deployment of agricultural biotechnology in the country.

(NAN)