Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said Nigeria must protect and find ways of preserving the various agricultural biodiversity such as the wide array of plants and animals indigenous to the country.
He stated this when declaring open the national stakeholders sensitisation workshop on animal biotechnology applications and regulatory perspectives, in Abuja recently.
The minister urged the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to improve the productivity of animal farming.
“NABDA has to play greater role in helping our dear nation find a solution to the conflict that exists between animal and crop farmers in the country. NABDA has to intensify research in improving productivity and yield in animal farming,” he said.
The minister urged African nations to ensure the use of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to convert their abundant natural resources to products and services imported from abroad.
Onu further highlighted the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s socio-economic boost, saying: “It is estimated that agriculture accounts for about 35% of the continents Gross Domestic Product, 40% of it exports and 70% of its employment.”
He said, proper application of STI to agriculture will help solve many of the challenges faced by the nation.
Earlier, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, who was represented by the Director of Animal Husbandry in the ministry, Dr. Solarin, said technologies employed into the field of biotechnology, should be safe and have no adverse effects on food safety and the environment.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Sunday Edet Akpan said the government at all levels should adopt and create viable policies on Animal biotechnology.
He further called for more efforts on bio-technology adaptations and lauded the existing productive synergy between agriculture and animal biotechnology stakeholders.
