NABDA to produce 5 million yam seedlings using biotechnology

The Acting Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Professor Alex Akpa has said that the agency is targeting to produce about 5 million yam seedlings for Nigerian farmers this year.

Professor Akpa disclosed this during a Webinar conference on ‘Curbing COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: Analysing the role of Plant Genetic Modification in boosting immunity against infectious diseases’.

He said last year, the agency was able to produce 1 million yam seedlings which were distributed to farmers for cultivation.

Lauding the importance of Biotechnology applications in agriculture, he said it will help in post-COVID-19 to boost food production.

Furthermore, the NABDA DG said the Agency had been involved in using biotechnology to advance health activities, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.

He harped on the importance of biotechnology application for the benefits of man especially in the areas health, agriculture and environment.