Biotech 'll Solve Food Crisis

Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar
Yola

Experts meeting at the Federal University of Technology, Yola have said that effective applications of biotechnology in agriculture is the best way of tackling the current global food crisis.

The experts, including a professor of biotechnology from FloridaUniversityin United States, Prof Diuto Esiobu; the Vice Chancellor of FUTY, Prof Abdullahi Ribadu; the Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof B O Solomon; and Coordinator of the Chevron Biotech Centre in FUTY, Prof Saka Baba, were unanimous on the efficacy of biotechnology.

Speaking at the first international workshop on Applied Biotechnology in FUTY, Prof Esiobu said with the rapid population growth and adverse climatic changes, it is difficult to prevent persistent food crisis without appropriate use of biotechnology in agriculture

She said demand for food is certain to continue to rise as the world population is expected to rise to 8.7 billion by the year 2050 amid emerging infectious diseases and climatic hostilities, all of which she noted were issues that biotechnology could address.

In his speech, Prof Ribadu said: "Biotechnology, as you may be aware, encompasses a wide range of techniques, many of which provide opportunities for countries like Nigeria to enhance food security, improve healthcare and achieve environmental sustainability...

"Applications of biotechnology have been tremendously helpful in agriculture (soil science, animal and crop production), medicine, ecology, pharmacy and forensic science (military and defence)," he added.

All these, he said, had brought remarkable breakthroughs that include the emergence of broad spectrum antibiotics, cloning and the development of new improved breeds of plants and animal species, development of vaccines and biopharmaceutical as well as production of various chemicals used in printing and dyeing.

On his part, the director general of NABDA, represented by a director in the agency Dr Oby Onyia, said that application of biotechnology is crucial to poverty eradication and food security in Nigeria.

Prof Solomon said the agency has been making efforts in establishing centres in different parts of the country for sustainable provision of state of the art facilities for biotech research in all parts of the country.