The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter and other stakeholders, including the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Ahmadu Fintiri attended the ‘Farmers field day’ organized by Mahyco Nigeria Limited in Hosere Bembe Community of Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State on the 14th December 2021.
The Bt cotton field day also had in attendance, hundreds of farmers and stakeholders coming together to learn more about the Bt Cotton and to also share their experiences from planting the Biotech Cotton.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fintiri noted that the newly released Mahyco Cotton BG2 Hybrid seed will deliver to the farmers higher yields, superior cotton quality and decreasing the cost of pest control which will in turn enhance the income level of farmers and contribute to the economy of the state. Commercialization of Bt Cotton, the Governor said, aligns with the Federal Governments vision to revive the Cotton Ginneries and textile sectors across the various Northern States of Nigeria. His words: ‘Adoption of the biotech cotton seed has the potential to bring in cotton revolution in the state and regain its glory as a prime cotton producing state. The revival of cotton farming will not only enhance income levels of farmers, but also strengthen the economy of the state through employment generation, revival of cotton related industries and lint export.’ Governor Fintiri was represented at the event by represented by the State’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mrs Dorothy Augustine.
The Farmers were therefore charged to deploy the new technology and change their lives. Country Coordinator, OFAB Nigeria, Dr Rose Maxwell Gidado who made this call in her remarks at the field day explained that the commercialization of the biotech cotton gives is a lee way for the farmers to go into large scale farming and produce material for reviving the moribund textile industries in the state. On the import of the field day, Dr Gidado that is a platform for interaction with the stakeholders, especially the farmers.
Similarly, Malam Bawuro Musa, the owner of the BGII cotton farm where the field day was held expressed his joy in planting the Bt. cotton. Sharing his experience and testimony, he said “I have never seen an improved cotton variety like this biotech cotton since I have been farming cotton for the past 20 years. It’s so productive and lint quality is superior. I am really very happy with it. Its far better than the variety we had been cultivating before. I urge the federal and state governments to support as many farmers as possible with biotech cotton seeds in order to encourage productivity”.
Complementing the Bawuro Musa, a local farmer, the Community Head and farmer, Ahmed Joro said “We are very happy with the Biotech Cotton seeds” as he also calls on the Government to assist them with subsidy in order to bring down the cost of the seeds”.
As with many other farmers, Usman Akibelel also expressed his delight in planting the biotech cotton seeds while sharing his personal experience before the journalists. “I have been farming cotton crops for the past 20 years. There is a great change between the experience we have before and now. The planting of the conventional seeds do not give us up to 1 ton per hectare but this new biotech cotton seeds give us more than 3 tons per hectare” Mr. Usman Akibelel disclosed.
Other participants in the event included the Chief of Staff of Adamawa State, Prof SAN Maxwell Gidado, represented by Mr. Danlami Ismaila, his Personal Assistant and the State Coordinator of Mahyco Nigeria Ltd. Over 500 people attended the field day in Bosere.