The scientist maintained that it was not true that the beans could not be replanted ot that the crop pollutes the soil and prevents other crops from being grown on the same piece of land. He said that with the commercialisation of GM beans, Nigeria could retain its position as the largest beans producer in the world, and the country would no longer spend its scarce resources in purchasing 500,000 tonnes of beans annually from other countries, adding that there would be reduced used of chemicals by farmers.



The professor of Plant Science and Biotechnology highlighted other benefits of the BT Cowpea to include the protection of the human, animal populations and the environment from pollution of chemicals used by farmers, adding that it would also attract the younger generation of farmers.



Pointing out that Nigerian beans are not accepted at the international market due to heavy use of chemicals on farms and in storage, he said some of the chemicals being used in the country for beans had been banned in Europe for the past 10 years.



Ogboru, however, called on the Federal Government to ignore the call by the non-scientific activists to ban the GM beans, as it is safe and poses no harm to humans or animals, urging them to increase budgetary allocations to universities and research institutes to enable them to undertake researches that solve national challenges.



The National Coordinator, Real Life Global Humanitarian Foundation, Akinsoji Akinsola, said that as responsible civil society groups, they are in support of any meaningful technology that would remove stress farmers go through.



Akinsola, who coordinates of over 76 non-governmental organisatons, said the only way to make farming profitable in the country is to introduce technologies, commending scientists for the innovation.

