Science Technology and Innovation and its benefits to agric sector


 
The Country Coordinator, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa, (OFAB), Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado, said that the country is revolutionising its agricultural sector with the deployment of long proven scientific tools such as genetic improvements technology. BINTA SHAMA reports.
 

 
 
 
Generally, agriculture is used as a tool to upgrade the development of a nation. However, the agricultural sector has been in existence even before Nigeria received her independence and this sector has been silent due to negligence and unknown of its hidden potentials. But in recent times, the present administration and other related bodies of this sector have liaised to boost its capabilities. Asides the oil sector the nation has depended on for decades, agriculture seem to be at the forefront of the economy.
 
 
Research shows that, Agriculture is at the center of the Nigerian economy, providing the main source of livelihood for the majority of Nigerians. The farming sector of this West African country employs about 70 percent of the entire country’s labour force. Nigeria’s small farms produce 80 percent of the total food and 33 percent of this country’s land is under cultivation for this purpose. This is the leading African country in farming because it has the highest levels of productivity and profitability in this particular sector. Agriculture in Nigeria is the foundation of the economy, as it is said to keep the people stable in what they do.
Importance of Agriculture
According to statistics that Nigeria is twice the size of Zimbabwe and South Africa combined and has over 200 million people, which the people of Nigeria depend solely on produce from the local farms for their daily meals as more than 80 percent of Nigerians buy their farm produce from the market. The country is at a huge advantage in terms of agriculture profitability because of the huge demand for farm produce. Nigeria has the benefit of having large stretches of fertile land available to cultivate. This country has one of the largest expanses of land in Africa with more than 900 thousand square kilometres and 70 percent of it is able to be cultivated to produce sustenance for the population of Nigeria. This land provides Nigeria with practically an unlimited source of farming food, providing agricultural produces and jobs for the people.

Science important in agriculture
Recently, OFAB was at the 2nd International Conference on science communication and development in Africa, to educate the general public on the adoption of biotechnology.
 
In her remarks, the Country Coordinator OFAB, Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado said the effect of science communication would help scientists to give meaning to research findings in Africa countries especially in the agricultural sector. Adding that, “it is also about putting Science into use by helping the public understand research result and making informed choices a huge contribution towards satisfying this need.”
 
 
“The need for effective Science Communication is hinged on the premises that it helps scientists to give their work a meaning in the eyes of their stakeholders, be it farmers, policy makers, industry, consumers and the public in general.
 
“Taking the commercialization of Africa’s first GM food crops, GM cowpea, for instant, science communication can play a very vital role in letting the public know the numerous benefit this crop can bring in the development of our economy in terms of food security, poverty alleviation, agricultural revolution, job-creation, climate change mitigation and several others.
 
According to her, OFAB Nigeria drives advocacy campaigns on agricultural biotechnology and dispels misconception within the realms of genetic modification technology.
 
Commercialization of Africa’s first GM food crop & cowpea
“The country is revolutionising her agricultural sector with the deployment of long proven scientific tools with the development of long proven scientific tools such as genetic improvements technology. The theme of this conference humanizing science, optimising innovation and communication for development in Africa is very apt at a time like this when the efficacy of science is being reduced by falsehood and myths. Science is more than just a body of knowledge. It’s a mindset as strategy to build an understanding of our world. This understanding is extremely valuable for our society, especially when it comes to establishing where we stand and what the likely outcomes will be from perceived future actions. So the need to communicate science for better understanding cannot be overemphasized taking the commercialization of Africa’s first GM food crop GM cowpea for instance science communication can play a very vital role in letting the public know the numerous benefits these crop can bring in the development of our economy in terms of food security, poverty alleviation, agricultural revolution, job creation, climate change mitigation, and several orders.
 
 
OFAB – knowledge sharing initiative
“The open forum for agricultural biotechnology or farm in Africa a knowledge sharing initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) was launched in 2006 so vigorously to facilitate the enhancement of knowledge sharing and awareness on agricultural biotechnology towards the raising understanding and appreciation of same and contributing to building an enabling environment for informed and timely decision making. OFAB was launched in 2009 in Nigeria,” she added.
 
On the other hand she said, “Africa cannot be left to hold itself down owing to the slow pace of diffusion of science innovation. The youth have been identified as a sustainable force towards promoting awareness of this technology such that all opportunities available to be used to increase knowledge. Despite the over exaggerated anti-science/ technology claims, farmers are willing to accept modern biotechnology crops contrary to uninformed perceptions. All these efforts in promoting science communication in the agricultural biotechnology sector have occasioned increased demand for improved genetically modified crops by farmers. This definitely will lead to food security and economic developments, considering the value chain effects. This will lead to food security and economic development.”
 
She said it was therefore very timely and noteworthy to be associated with such a gathering of like minds as those working towards the same goal. “It is therefore unwise to dismiss or twist it for short-term benefits.”

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