Nigeria: Approval of two genetically modified cotton varieties to augment output

Nigeria has recently approved two genetically modified varieties of cotton for use by the country’s farmers. This new approval will assist to enhance supply to its textile industry and cut lint imports of as much as 115 billion naira (USD 319 million) a year.

The Institute of Agricultural Research at the Ahmadu Bello University in the northern city of Zaria, Nigeria modified the strains in association with privately owned Mayco Nigeria Ltd. to include a gene that makes it pest resistant. This is revealed by the assistant director at the Abuja-based National Biotechnology Development Agency, Rose Gidado, as reported by Bloomberg.

The changes make it possible for these cotton types to overcome bollworm, “the most devastating pest in cotton production,” increasing output more than threefold to more than 4 tons per hectare, Gidado said in an emailed response to questions. They’re suitable for all growing areas in the country, mature early and have better fiber strength and length, she cited.

 Nigeria currently produces 60,000 tons of cotton annually, down from peak production of more than 100,000 tons four decades ago, importing the balance to meet requirements. Cotton farmers expect output in the coming season to reach at least 150,000 tons, as farmers deploy the new cotton seeds aided by credit facilities provided under a central-bank program in support of agriculture.

“We see these seeds significantly improving local production and increasing participation of our farmers who had previously been discouraged from producing cotton,” Anibe Achimugu, President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, said by phone from Abuja, the capital. “We are confident that we will produce 150,000 tons at the minimum and 300,000 tons at the maximum,” Bloomberg reported.

Anibe Achimugu also said that the central bank has set aside 40 billion naira to provide credit to cotton and oil palm growers until 2020. “We believe GMOs are not needed in Nigeria. The challenges in agriculture and of food sufficiency are such that they can be tackled through proper administration and adequate support for farmers in extension services, good roads to access markets, access to land and loans,” Joyce Ebebeinwe, the project officer of the group, said in a statement.

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