The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), in its move to establish support and advocacy for pod borer resistant (PBR) cowpea, has called for the adoption of the genetically modified crop designed to withstand the devastating impact of pests and enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
The AATF Regional Representative for West Africa, Dr. Jean Baptiste, made this call at the palace of the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, saying cowpea, a staple crop in Nigeria, plays a crucial role in addressing food security and nutritional needs, particularly in rural communities.
The delegation led by Baptiste held a strategic meeting with the Emir to solicit his support in promoting the uptake of PBR cowpea engineered to resist the destructive effects of the pod borer, offering a sustainable solution to improve yields and enhance farmer livelihoods.
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He stated that rigorous scientific research and regulatory processes were undertaken to ensure the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops, while emphasizing the role of the PBR cowpea in reducing pesticide use, increasing yields, and improving food security for rural households.
In his remark, the Emir commended the AATF for its dedication to advancing agricultural technologies that benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities, while pledging his full support for the promotion and adoption of PBR cowpea within the Rano Emirate.
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Also speaking was the AATF Director of Program Development and Commercialization, Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, who acknowledged the contributions of various partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), to the successes recorded by the project in the last planting season.
Okogbenin noted that the AATF PBR Cowpea Seed Support project aims to drive the supply chain of cowpea in Nigeria, make it efficient, and invariably contribute to strengthening food and nutrition security in the country.
