The process for the commercialisation of genetically modified pod borer resistant (PBR) cowpea, known as beans in Nigeria, is ongoing as the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has held a public presentation before its release.

At the presentation, the principal investigator on PBR cowpea, Prof Ishiyaku Mohammed of the Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said there was a need to engage Nigerians on the research carried out to improve a variety of beans.

“We have utilised a new scientific technique in enabling beans to protect itself against a particular insect in the field. The technique is new in Nigeria but has been on for more than 20 years in other parts of the world. There is a need for our people to understand the science behind it and appreciate it because we believe there are immense economic benefits that abound in it,” he said.

In his presentation titled, ‘Science of Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea’, Prof Ishiyaku said cultivation of beans in Nigeria is difficult due to the infestation of Maruca, a pest responsible for colossal destruction of beans farms in the country.

He said a variety of beans has been genetically modified to resist the insect, adding that with the insect resistant seed, farmers would be assured of bumper harvest at about a quarter increases in output.

“Over N48 billion gain will be made by planting one out of every three hectares of cowpea as BT cowpea in Nigeria,” he said, adding that reduction of insecticide spray requirement will also make the environment healthier.

“Beans used to be grown with several types of insecticides and sprays applied about five to eight times in the field before you get a good harvest but with this technology, farmers can only use it twice,” he said.

The Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said the public presentation will afford the agency the opportunity to sustain momentum in its various efforts to ensure information sharing and dissemination among stakeholders in fulfillment of its mandate as the national competent authority on biosafety in Nigeria.

He said the objective of the presentation was to make the applicant to take stakeholders through the basic science of the genetically modified cowpea and other issues relevant to the safety of the gene and to give them (stakeholders) the opportunity to express their concerns on the genetically modified seed.

“At the end of the presentation, there would be a 21-day public notice in three national dailies and the agency’s website on the application, indicating the locations where the application would be deposited to enable members of the public to review the application and present their views to the NBMA.