As part of a campaign to showcase the role agricultural biotechnology can play in ending hunger, the Alliance for Science in collaboration with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) launched the National Farmers’ Day
The launch is part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Hunger Day.
Speaking during a dinner party to mark the day Sunday in Abuja, NABDA Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said the dinner presents an opportunity to discuss ways of promoting sustainable agricultural practices that will support government efforts in addressing the challenges of food and nutritional security.
According to him, “NABDA as an agency, responsible for the deployment of Biotechnology tools in the development of our Nation is doing everything possible to deploy the science of genetic modification technology to combat hunger, hidden hunger, and other forms of malnutrition. But as we all know, the fight for food and nutrition security can better be won as a team,” he said.
OFAB Nigeria Country Director and the Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, at NABDA, Dr Rose Gidado, noted that while significant strides have been made in reducing hunger and malnutrition, there is still much work to be done, especially in the Global South. For her, one way to address the issue of hunger is by supporting and recognizing the contributions of smallholder farmers who grow crops and foods that are the backbone of the food systems in these countries.
She said the dinner will serve as a platform created for stakeholders to discuss the importance of National Farmers Day and how it can be implemented in each country and to support and recognize the contributions of farmers and strengthen the food system in the country.
