Genetically modified beans to flood Nigerian markets in 2019 – NABDA

The National Biotechnology Development Agency has said genetically modified beans would be available in commercial quantity across Nigerian markets on or before 2019.

The NABDA Director General, Prof Lucy Ogbadu, who said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the November edition of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), revealed that Nigeria would soon witness abundant beans as the GM cowpeas (or beans) would be released into the market in large quantities in two or three years' time.

She said the cowpea, which is currently undergoing field trials, is safe and wouldn't pose any health risk to Nigerians.

"Rules are being followed in its production. Our Ethical Committee is working day and night to ensure that no rule is breached. Nigerians should be rest assured that the GM beans and other crops which will be available later in the country would be safe for consumption. In 2-3 years' time, cowpea should be ready in commercial quantity in the country", Prof Ogbadu said.

She dismissed "the insinuation" that GM foods are unhealthy; saying over 100 Nobel Laureates had signed a petition to guarantee its safety.