By Chika Onyesi
 |
| Prof. Alex, Casmir Uwadiegwu Akpa |
Nigeria will begin the local production
of vaccines and other bio-pharmaceuticals by 2019.
This is according to the Acting
Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency Prof.
Alex Akpa.
He disclosed this at a media briefing while detailing the agency’s score card for 2018 and plans for
2019.
Prof. Akpa said the agency has concluded arrangements
with some Cuban scientists and will in partnership begin the production of bio
economic products like insulin.
‘‘The agency has 78 acres of land in its premises that
it intends to utilise for bio economic development with the support and
expertise of the Cubans, Nigerians and other scientists’’
Meanwhile the agency is confident
that Nigeria is on track towards reaping the benefits of biotechnology and
ensuring food security following giant strides in commercialising modified
seeds.
Prof.
Akpa said the commercialisation of two new varieties of BT
cotton in 2018 is a strategic move towards reviving the textile industry.
According to him each modified variety
when harvested will produce about 4.1 and 4.4 tonnes per hectare as compared to
the traditional variety.
‘‘We are convinced that with this
technology and by the time we empower about one thousand farmers who will help
to mass propagate this product our textile mills will be revived.’’
The agency has also formally
presented its BT cowpea to the public following completion of all field trials
and researches by the National Biosafety Management
Agency to ascertain its safety to humans and the environment.
Prof. Akpa said the success of the
trials is a big step considering the traditional value of cowpea (Beans) as a
staple and major source of protein for many Nigerians
‘‘Animal protein is quite expensive
in Nigeria so many families rely on beans for their source of protein and that
is why it is very popular and that we are happy with this development’’ he says.
The newly developed variety is
expected to resist pests which had previously hindered farmers from attaining
high yields and has a lot of challenge with preservation.
The DG NABDA also disclosed that
the agency is now in partnership with Biocrops, a Biotechnology
company, with an aim to immediately commence the production of Nigerian
developed biotechnology products such as bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides and Nematicides.
‘‘The challenge of farmers preserving beans
with Sniper which can wipe out a whole family can now be eliminated, Bio-pesticides
are bio-degradable produced using biological organisms’’he said.
According to Prof. Akpa, Nigeria is
steadily moving towards using biotechnology to improve its fortune.
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