Hunger: HOMEF Raises Concerns Over Propaganda, False Claims On GMOs

BY NGOZI NWANKWO, ABUJA – Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has condemned the propaganda, assumption and perception that Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), will end hunger in Nigeria.

HOMEF pointedly said that Nigeria does not need Genetically Modified Foods and therefore stressed the need for the country to reclaim its food heritage in order to build food sovereignty.

The Foundation which stated these at a one-day conference on propaganda of GMO, held in Abuja on Tuesday, noted a lot of food produced in Nigeria are wasting owing to lack of adequate infrastructure to preserve them.

In his address, the Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey linked the cause of food insecurity in Nigeria to lack of extension of officers in the Ministry of Agriculture, and lack of infrastructure to preserve crops or food.

Bassey said; “We are having food insecurity not because sufficient foods are not produced in Nigeria or because our farmers are not working hard, but Nigeria food problems come because of lack of extension of officers in the Ministry of Agriculture, lack of infrastructure to preserve crops”.

He noted that genetically engineering crops do not yield higher than natural crops but are being promoted by those who do not have interest of the country.

According to Bassey; “GMOs have been in the world since 1996 yet hunger has not reduced. This is to tell you that genetically engineering foods have no role in ending hunger. The major reason Nigeria is having food insecurity is because of insecurity in the country.

“Most of the farmers in the north are no longer going to their farms because of bandits that destroy their crops,” he said.

The HOMEF Director said that if GMOs are allowed to flourish in Nigeria, it would lead to the destruction in the nation’s food system, create health and environmental hazards, and bring about risking technology.

In his keynote address, Prof. Zachary Anger Gundu, said doubts about GMO are credible, stressing that GMOs are driven by greed and profit.

Gundu also said that Nigeria and Africa food security must be predicted on the small farmers using local plant and animal species.

He further said; “Nigeria agricultural Research and Development must be foregrounded on the citizens thinking, imagination and creativity around their indigenous food”.

While proffering solutions, Gundu said Nigeria could only attain food security by providing security, and maximizing utilisation of arable lands.

Gundu also stressed the need for registration of all small scale farmers to track production and draw them into the formal sector and called for the promotion of biodiversity in place of monoculture, and political and economic reforms.