The federal government of Nigeria intends to soon release a new genetically modified rice, cassava and other genetically modified crops.

Dr. Rose Jidado, Coordinator of the Nigerian Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, explained on Sunday April 21 that the plan will be implemented based on research conducted by Nigerian scientists at the National Agency for Biotechnology Development, NABDA, in accordance with the federal government’s plan to achieve nutritional adequacy in country.

Dr. Jidado said that NABDA has shown great potential in new GM crops with the introduction of GM cotton and GM cowpea, an annual herbaceous bean crop that required about 10 years of intensive research.

She also added that it would be an understatement to say that Nigeria does not have the potential in the field of biotechnology. In turn, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Bitrus Nabasu, said that the federal government is taking steps to develop a national policy in the field of biotechnological communication.

It will ensure that the Nigerian public is adequately informed of advances in biotechnology.