Okechukwu Nnodim, AbujaThe National Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium has explained that various forms of Nigerian beans are being rejected globally because of the high use of chemicals on bean farms by farmers. It, however, stated that Nigerian scientists were working hard to reverse the trend, as the development of the Pod-Borer Resistant Cowpea was a confirmation of scientific expertise in Nigeria. In February 2018, The PUNCH reported that the European Union insisted that Nigeria must implement appropriate risk management measures and provide required guarantees before it could export dried beans to Europe. Providing further explanations on why various beans from Nigeria were rejected globally, the President, NBBC, Prof Celestine Aguoru, said findings by the consortium showed that most chemicals used by farmers on bean farms were dangerous to human health. But the professor of plant science and biotechnology noted that in order to stop the rejection and improve the quality of cowpea produced in Nigeria, scientists had been carrying out modifications on beans and such moves had brought so many benefits to the country.

Source: Punch February 17, 2019 23:26 UTC