2024-11-20 23:00:00
In Nigeria, the government approved the marketing of GMO varieties of corn, cowpea, cotton and soya last January, but their cultivation is getting off to a timid start. The transgenic technology is licensed royalty-free by Bayer (owner of Monsanto) to the Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Zaria. It sells corn seeds, designed to resist both drought and insect infestations. Example of a farmer’s first GMO corn harvest in Suleja, central Nigeria.
From our special correspondent in Suleja,
Baba Yola observes her farm workers. This is the harvest of transgenic corn, sown last June by this farmer. This is the first time that Baba Yola has cultivated GMOs. He scrutinizes every move to avoid losses. Because investing in transgenics is expensive. “ I bought 20kg of Tela maize for 86,000 naira, he explains. Twenty kilos of traditional seeds must be worth between 28,000 and 30,000 naira. I don’t know how they can make GMO corn affordable so that all farmers can have access to it. Tela corn is for sale although it is difficult to find. If you don’t order it, you won’t get it in time. »
No defined commercial strategy
Baba Yola purchased her seeds from the Agricultural Research Institute (IRA) of the University of Zaria in north central Nigeria. Created in 1922, this institute’s mandate includes the genetic improvement of corn, cowpeas, sorghum and cotton.
« This year we are starting with three tonnes of TELA corn, specifies its director, Professor Ado Yusuf, who personally supervises the distribution of transgenic corn. Other registered private seed companies also receive and sell them. But for the moment, on our side, there is no defined commercial strategy. Seeds are available here. You knock on the door of our research institute, we distribute the seeds to you. We do not intend to have branches throughout the country. »
« With GMOs, farmers become dependent on distributors »
Nigeria is one of seven African countries involved in the project BODIES Maize. A public-private partnership, where the multinational Bayer Cropscience (formerly Monsanto) allows the free use of its transgenic technology.
But voices are concerned about the marketing of GMOs in Nigeria. “ With GMOs, farmers become dependent on distributors, seed manufacturers or biotechnology companies, year after year, to obtain seeds, worries Joyce Brown, of a Foundation called Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF). Because most of these transgenic seeds are designed not to produce well after the first planting season. The goal is to make a profit, not necessarily to fight hunger or food insecurity. »
For his part, Baba Yola says he is ready to buy transgenic seeds for next year. He suffered fewer losses than usual, but the cereal, intended for human consumption, does not have quite the same taste, so he will decide based on the sales results of his corn.
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**What are the main challenges Baba Yola faces regarding the affordability and availability of GMO seeds in Nigeria?**
### Interview with Baba Yola: A Farmer’s Perspective on GMO Cultivation in Nigeria
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Baba Yola. I understand this is your first season growing genetically modified (GMO) corn. Can you share some of your experiences so far?
**Baba Yola:** Thank you for having me. Yes, this is indeed my first season with GMO corn, specifically Tela maize. It has been quite an experience. I purchased 20 kilograms for 86,000 naira, which is significantly more than traditional seeds, priced around 28,000 to 30,000 naira for the same amount. This high cost is a big concern for many farmers like me.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a substantial investment. How do you feel about the affordability of GMO seeds moving forward?
**Baba Yola:** Affordability is a major issue. The idea of transgenic farming could be beneficial for increasing yields and resisting pests, but if the seeds remain this expensive, many farmers won’t be able to adopt them. I also find that sourcing these seeds can be challenging; they are not always readily available. We need a defined commercial strategy to ensure broader access and support for all farmers.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you bought your seeds from the Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Zaria. How do you feel about their role in this initiative?
**Baba Yola:** The Agricultural Research Institute has indeed played a pivotal role in bringing these GMO seeds to farmers. They have a long history of improving crop varieties. However, the marketing and distribution still seem underdeveloped. There needs to be a better system in place to ensure farmers can easily access these seeds in a timely manner.
**Interviewer:** As the government approved the marketing of various GMO crops earlier this year, what are your thoughts on the future of this technology in Nigeria?
**Baba Yola:** I believe there is potential for GMO crops to enhance food security in Nigeria, especially with the challenges of drought and pests. However, the ongoing concerns about safety, particularly in relation to health risks pointed out by some experts, are valid. There needs to be more research and transparency, so farmers feel confident in adopting these technologies without fear. The recent pressure on the government to ban GMOs due to such concerns suggests there is still a long way to go in terms of public education and trust.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Baba Yola, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that while GMO technology may offer solutions, several challenges must be addressed for it to be beneficial to all farmers in Nigeria.
**Baba Yola:** Thank you for the opportunity! I hope my experiences can help inform others as we navigate these new technologies.
