News in Brief:
– Africa’s GMO market is projected to grow by 5% annually, reaching $871 million by 2025.
– Countries like Nigeria embrace GMO technology to address food security challenges, boost agricultural productivity, and improve rural livelihoods.
The global market for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is set to experience significant growth, with Africa emerging as a key player.
Experts predict a 5% annual increase in the African GMO market, reaching an estimated $871 million by 2025. This growing industry offers a promising solution to address global food security challenges, particularly in countries like Nigeria.
A technological solution to agricultural challenges
Essentially, GMOs, engineered to withstand climate-related stressors such as drought, floods, and pests, have the potential to revolutionise agriculture. Nigeria has been a pioneer in this field, having approved and commercially released three locally developed GM crops: cotton, beans, and TELA maize.
Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin, Director for Programme Development and Commercialisation at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), emphasised the significant impact of plant breeding in addressing production challenges.
He also highlighted the need for innovative solutions to bridge the gap between food production and population growth.
While concerns about the safety of GMOs persist, regulatory bodies like the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) have assured the public of their safety. Rigorous scientific assessments are conducted to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of GMOs before their release.
Africa’s growing interest in GMOs
Africa, with its vast agricultural potential, is increasingly embracing biotechnology. About 48 of the 54 countries on the continent allocate an average of 3.8% of their budgets to agriculture. Eight countries have already approved or commercialised GM crops.
Effectively, Nigeria can significantly boost its agricultural output, improve its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and enhance rural livelihoods by investing in biotechnology.
Additionally, tapping into the growing GMO market presents a unique opportunity for the country to secure its food future.
Overall, experts opine that Africa can harness its potential to feed its growing population and contribute to global food security. They say this can be achieved by embracing biotechnology and adopting innovative agricultural practices
