Bordering on the issue of artificial food scarcity, Agricultural experts in Nigeria, have warned against the dangers of the growth and spread of Genetically Modified (GMO) crops in the country.
The stakeholders sounded the warning at a conference organised by the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) in Lagos.
CEFSAR is a Non Governmental Organisation that promotes sustainable agricultural practices in the country. It carries out researches together with academic institutions, and promotes investments in the agricultural sector globally.
During the conference themed, “GMO foods: Unveiling the Landscape and debates beyond the Laboratory,” the experts spoke on the threats of GMO foods to both human and soil health. CEFSAR’s Director, Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua, said the introduction of GMOs to developing countries, particularly Africa, by the Western world was aimed at depopulating them.
He reiterated that “The dangers in GMO foods go beyond genetic engineering. It is a way of pumping toxic chemicals into the environment, and ultimately on the breakfast tables. There is an emerging situation short of criminality that is pervading the public space with GMO crops.
“In the context of our discussion, it appears that some persons outside the country have some business interests to push out these GMO products for wealth accumulation, and at the same time ensuring an agenda for the depopulation of developing countries. As a centre, we have begun a journey to aggregate the relevant voices in the sector on the dangers of GMO foods.”
Mr Oluwaseyi Ifelaja, an agribusiness specialist, also confirmed Amua’s submission that the planned distribution and growth of GMO seeds was aimed at neo-colonisation of the developing countries by non other than the western world.
“The discussion on GMOs should have been locked away since three decades ago because we have been having infiltration of GMOs into our food system for that long. We consider GMO crops and seeds as agents of colonisation tied to agric-led growth and food security.
“Colonisation is wearing a new face, and GMO seed is that mask on the face. It is nothing short of colonisation to say what seeds farmers should plant. The seed is the beginning of the food system. The minute we lose control of our seed, we have ceded control to whoever provides the seed.
“The thought of having GMO patented seeds as the order of the day should be vehemently opposed and critically looked into before we sign off our food security.”
Barrister Bismarck Akintoye, a legal practitioner, reiterated the need to revisit the seed law in Nigeria, and urged the legislature to undo the laws that were signed in ignorance. He said: “There are laws that allowed biotechnology into the country while we were sleeping. We must engage the lawmakers to undo the laws they did as regards the acceptance of GMO foods and crops in the country,” Akintoye said.
In addition, Mr Segun Adebayo, an advocate of natural organic farming, and an IT expert, said GMO crops must be discouraged and completely stopped both in Nigeria and globally. “GMOs are a means of reducing the world’s population, and should be discouraged. Several countries have placed a ban on importation of GMO foods.
“We are not out to demonise GMOs, but to create a balance of knowledge, so people can have a choice on what they eat and the implications.” Reporting the adverse effects of GMO seeds, Adebayo stated that according to research, GMO food accelerates cancer, and this might be as a result of the presence of Atratazine in many pesticides used to enhance the growth of GMO crops.
Another keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Philip Njemanze, who nicknamed GMO seeds ‘seeds of death’ told the story of how natural seed farmers were executed in Bornu State, Northern Nigeria, and the incident was tagged under Religious conflict. He said the purpose of the incident was to phase out access to natural seeds, and introduce the GMO seeds to the farmers.
Njemanze said the GMO seeds were not only intended to reduce life span; they are also developed with intended targets such that a batch could focus solely on sterilisation of the consumer, regardless of the gender. Ireport247.com will be uploading the full video of the event for awareness, and educational purposes, so that the people can make informed decisions.
