Zaks Foundation for Humanity (ZFH) paid an inspection/advocacy visit to National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Abuja. The purpose of the visit was  to inspect an application dossier by the Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, for the general release /commercialization of the genetically modified cowpea event 245F, containing Cry 2AB gene, conferring resistance to Maruca Pod Borer. 

We in ZFH were excited at the hearing of the imminent commercialization of the GM cowpea and, at the same time, concerned because of the widely held fears about the consumption of GMO produce. 

The reason for our visit were, therefore, twofold: 

Firstly, ZFH has, in its list ,vulnerable and poor people that it has enrolled in its Nutritional Assistance Programme (NAP), a monthly feeding program being run by ZFH. NAP is a program of which its vital component is cowpea (Beans), among other nutritional items. Our fear is the fact that, when the GMO cowpea eventually comes into  the market, we are worried about the health implications it would have on our NAP beneficiaries who are mostly elderly, vulnerable, poor, and, in most cases, health challenged. 

Secondly, ZFH has over 30,000 small holder farmers and cooperative groups that are into the planting of cowpeas, among other crops. We also provide them with capacity building, access to quality farm input and implements, micro-credit facilities and markets for  their farm produce to markets that yield enough profit margin. This news has, therefore,  given us hope that once the GMO cowpea is introduced into the market, it will increase their crop yields by 20 to 100 percent, help Nigeria to achieve food security and also increase the farmer’ incomes tremendously. Statistics have shown that insect pest Maruca is responsible for up to 80 percent yield losses annually. It is the pest that the GMO cowpea is set to target. 

After the inspection, the team from ZFH had a one-on-one discussion with the Director General/CEO of NBMA Rufus E Ebegba, PhD.  The Director General explained that the concerns over GM food were  not only peculiar to public interest groups and consumers, but to the NMBA as well. This he said was because GM foods were new and, with any new technology, there was bound to be concerns. He however enjoined the public to take solace in the fact that no GM foods would be released into the market before they were confirmed safe by his agency in collaboration with other relevant agencies, adding that, so far, no GM food has been declared unsafe for human consumption by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). He thereafter took his time to explain the science behind GMO produce.

   ZFH has, since the visit, started distributing the seeds to our small holder farmers, We also off-take some of the harvested produce to distribute as part of our Nutritional Assistance Program(NAP), with the likelihood that we could increase our food rations and coverage. In the end, it is a win-win situation. Together, we can defeat poverty and hunger. Please Join or partner with ZFH to make this planet a better place.