Experts гаllу support for organic farming solutions, as GMO Foods threatens food security

Experts are urgently advocating for organic farming in Nigeria to avoid the harmful effects of GMO foods. At a symposium by the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) in Lagos, they stressed the need for a shift to organic methods to protect public health and ecosystems.
The event, themed “GMO Foods: Unveiling the Landscapes and Debates Beyond the Laboratory,” focused on food security, environmental sustainability, and human health. CEFSAR Director Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua highlighted the dangers of GMOs, including the introduction of toxic chemicals.
The former Commissioner of Women Affairs emphasized the importance of farmers and called for more government support. Dr. Adesoji Saka and Professor Phillip Njemanze linked GMOs to rising cancer rates. Dr. Joyce Brown discussed the problems of seed monopoly, increased pesticide use, superweeds, and biodiversity loss associated with GMOs.
Legal practitioner Mr. Bismarck Akintoye urged revising Nigeria’s seed laws to reverse GMO acceptance. Agribusiness specialist Mr. Oluwaseyi Ifelaja criticized the spread of GMO seeds as a form of neo-colonialism.
Source: The Guardian

OUR REVIEW
The urgent call for organic farming in Nigeria highlights the critical need to address the adverse effects of GMO foods on health and ecosystems. At the recent CEFSAR symposium in Lagos, experts emphasized a shift to organic practices to safeguard food security, environmental sustainability, and human health.

Key points included CEFSAR Director Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua’s warning about the toxic chemicals associated with GMOs and the link between GMOs and rising cancer rates, as highlighted by Dr. Adesoji Saka and Professor Phillip Njemanze. Dr. Joyce Brown discussed issues such as seed monopoly, increased pesticide use, superweeds, and biodiversity loss due to GMOs.
The former Commissioner of Women Affairs underscored the vital role of farmers and called for stronger government support. Legal practitioner Mr. Bismarck Akintoye advocated for revising Nigeria’s seed laws to reject GMO acceptance. Agribusiness specialist Mr. Oluwaseyi Ifelaja criticized the spread of GMO seeds as a form of neo-colonialism.
Promoting organic farming can transform the agri-food value chain, ensuring healthier food, protecting biodiversity, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Government intervention and policy adjustments are crucial for this transition.”