Written by 
The market for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is expected to jump from $615.4 million that was recorded in 2018 to estimated $871 million by 2025, experts have said.
GMO, which is a product of biotechnology, has been in the public debate especially as countries are searching for means to grow more food amid growing population and climate change which has proven to be a major setback for food production.
Unlike conventional seeds, genetically modified seeds have been developed to address different climate-related challenges in farming, especially, drought, flood, diseases, pest and insect infestations.
Nigeria alone has approved and commercially released three genetically modified seeds which were locally developed by indigenous scientists. These crops include cotton, beans, and the recently released TELA maize.
Though there are concerns about the safety of genetically modified food, Nigerian authorities like the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) have allayed the fears and assured of the safety of the crops.
Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin, Director for Programme Development and Commercialisation at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), said currently, GM crops are planted in 202 million hectares worldwide which is about 3 percent increment.
Delivering a paper at the 2nd Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NBPA) International Conference recently held in Abuja, Okogbenin said food and nutrition security gap is incongruent and not in tandem with population dynamics.
He acknowledged that nevertheless, plant breeding has significantly addressed production challenges, such as drought tolerance, pests and diseases, and resource-use efficiency, while post-harvest losses unfortunately are not inversely related to production gain.
He however said; “estimated 41 million smallholders provide most of the food in Africa. African governments, 48 out of 54, allocate an average of only 3.8 percent of their budgets to agriculture. Eight African countries have currently approved or commercialised four genetically modified crops.
“Experts predict that the market for GMO in Africa, which was $615.4 million in 2018, will grow by 5% by 2025, reaching an estimated $871 million. 202 million hectares grown to GMO (3% increase) worldwide”.
Investment in biotechnology will not only improve food production, it will also improve the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and put more money in the pockets of the farmers, thereby improving livelihood at the rural level.
It is important that the Nigerian government make it a point of duty for Nigeria to tap into the expected $871 million GMO market in Africa, this will be a great achievement for the country and a win for the rural farmers.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE