The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) in conjunction with Mahyco Grow Seed Ltd. on Tuesday in Sheda, Abuja, unveiled new varieties of hybrid cotton seeds.
Thehybrid cotton varieties are C567BG2 and C571BG2 introduced at an event entitled “Bt Cotton Farmers’ Field Day”, organised by the NASC in collaboration with the private sector and other stakeholders.
Dr Philip Ojo, Director-General of the NASC, said that the event was to showcase the performance of the recently released Bt cotton varieties that would enhance the nation’s agricultural productivity.
Ojo said the cotton varieties would revive the nation’s cotton industry, garment and textile sub-sector in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s objective to bring back the lost glory of the textile industry.
He also said the potential for economic growth arising from the cultivation of genetic engineered crops in Nigeria would be higher with increased access to food, good health and productivity.
According to the D-G, this shall attract foreign investments and earnings from modern biotechnology leading to wealth creation.
“It will interest you to note that cotton is at the heart of the president’s priority areas for economic growth through the revitalisation of the textile and garment industry in Nigeria.
“The outcome of this development will result in the creation of millions of jobs as well as ensure economic prosperity for the country and this cannot be achieved without viable cottonseed system,’’ he said.
Dr Bharat Char, Lead, Biotechnology and Regulatory of Mahyco Grow Seed Ltd., said they had brought the best technology to Indian farmers and now recently across the world.
“BG2 Cotton was released in India in 2002 and 2006 and is about 18 years old.
“What has been seen in India is that farmers have gained tremendously; the economic benefit has vastly changed after adoption of Bt cotton.
“ In Nigeria, what we have seen is that farmers can increase four times the yield. They also stand to gain significantly economically and the returns from the crop is much higher,’’ Char said.
Mr Anibe Achimugu, the National President, National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), said Nigeria had the potential to overtake production of cotton in Africa.
Achimugu said that with the approach of NASC, the possibility of producing seeds in the country which would guarantee the desired quality was possible.
Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, an NASC board member, added that diversification of the economy into agriculture was one of the key policy of the present administration.
