By Rose .M. Gidado (Country Co-coordinator OFAB Nigeria) At

1. The Role of Biotechnology in Crop Improvement: Conventional Plant Breeding and Modern Biotechnology By Rose .M. Gidado (Country Co-coordinator OFAB Nigeria) At The Stakeholders Meeting on Understanding the Nigerian Agricultural Landscape to Boost Agricultural Productivity 21st – 22nd November 2013

2. Biotechnology is… • “ the use of living cells or bacteria to make useful products (for example, insect resistant crops)”-Webster • “It is the manipulation, (through the use of genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful, usually commercial products, such as, pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains or novel pharmaceuticals”-Webster

3. Development of Crop Plants - History Teosinte (~5600 BC) • Domestication of crops • We have been modifying our crops for 10,000 years through Selective Breeding. • All crops we grow today have undergone extensive genetic change from their wild ancestors. • Crops, strains and genes have moved around the globe. • Domestication of corn from Teosinte creating a new species in the process – Zeamays Early Corn Development Wild Domesticated Corn was domesticated from the grass-like Teosinte plant to provide a stable food source

4. The March of Genetic Technology 1860 Mendel: making crosses, introducing genes1920 Discovery of hybrid vigor1950 Inducing mutations1960 Tissue culture and embryo rescue1980 Plant transformation and GMOs2000 Genomics

5. Crop improvement has allowed food production to keep up with phenomenal population growth for the past 100 years.

6. Plant Breeding and Crop Yield Tons per hectare

7. TheTraditional Plant Breeding It involves Crossing individuals with desirable traitsand selecting among the progeny. Genes recombine in a random For specific characteristics such as fatty acid % of a certain oil, naturally occurring mutants are screened for and if not found they are induced by chemical mutagenesis or irradiation.

8. Modern Genetic Modification Inserting one or few genes to achieve desired traits. GM Crops • Relatively Specific • Changes are Subtle • Allows Flexibility • Expeditious

9. Now, the question is: Are “genetically modified” (GM) crops and foods new? Not in the general sense. We have been genetically modifying plants and animals for a very long time or since the dawn of civilization! Most or all our crop plants are extensively genetically modified compared to their wild relatives..

11. Molecular agriculture makes new gene combinations possible Peas (on the left) that make a genetically engineered bean protein insect-resistant and do not need to be sprayed with pesticides.

12. How do GM crops differ from conventionally derived varieties or hybrids?

14. Conventional: Wide Hybridization introduces 20,000 to 100,000 potentially negative genes in order to obtain one desirable disease resistance gene. Induced mutagenesis has been used for decades to create genetic variants. The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

15. Genetic Engineering: Introduce one (or a few) foreign “good” genes into the best accepted cultivar background. The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

16. The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

17. Golden Rice The vitamin A-producing gene is taken out of a red pepper and put into rice Advantage: Could save millions of children world-wide from blindness

18. Siberian Tomatoes and Strawberries The anti-freeze-producing gene is taken out of a flounder and put into tomatoes. Advantage: Tomatoes that can be shipped at lower temperatures, less rotting, less waste, and more profit for tomato growers

19. B.t. Corn An insecticidal protein from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis is put into corn Advantage: Corn is protected from pests, so chemical pesticides are not necessary

20. GM Maize and Non GM

21. Genetics is always better than chemicals: GM Cotton with a Bacillus thuringiensis Cry gene is resistant to Cotton Bollworm. Cry encodes an insecticidal protein

22. Benefits of Bt technology

23. Some GM crops have the potential to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture: less pesticide, less tillage, more biodegradable herbicides “Roundup” tolerant soybeans can be Planted with no-till procedures, which help to conserve soil moisture and nutrients, and encourage the use of biodegradable herbicides

24. In Development: Banana Vaccine Viral proteins for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B will be put into bananas Advantage: Ability to efficiently vaccinate people world-wide

25. Progress & Products in Nigeria The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

26. Status of GM Crops In Nigeria • No GM Crop has been commercialised in Nigeria • 3 GM crops are currently undergoing Confined Field Trials • Maruca- Resistant Beans Bt Cowpea • Africa Bio-fortified Sorghum • Bio- Cassava plus • Commercialisation of GM Crops cannot commence until the biosafety law has been enacted The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

27. Maruca resistant Cowpea The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

28. Maruca resistant Cowpea (beans) Bt Cowpea • The project commenced in Nigeria in July 2008 • It is funded by AATF Nairobi aided by USAID and other Donors • The First successful Confined Field Trial was completed in 2009 • The Second successful Confined Field Trial was completed in 2010 • The Third successful Confined Field Trial was completed in 2011 • Containment Trial in the Containment facility commences in 2012 • The Institutions involved are African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Nairobi/Abuja, (ARCN), Abuja, Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja. The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

29. Cowpea CFT in Nigeria 2009 709A IT86D-1010 708A 710B 711B

30. Developing Insect Maruca Resistant Beans Maruca insect larva • Three successful Confined Field Trials have been conducted at IAR, Zaria. • Backcrossing to land races continue

31. Cowpea CFT 2010, 2011 Planting of transgenic events CFT 1 IAR 2010 CFT2 IAR 2010 CFT3 IAR 2011 Maruca Rearing Laboratory IAR

32. Non transgenic No difference in Seed Outlook between Transgenics and non transgenics

33. BC + Project The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

34. Bio-Cassava Plus (BC+) • The project commenced in October 2009 • It is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • The First successful Confined Field Trial was completed in 2010 for a Cassava variety stacked with Beta- carotene • The Second successful Confined Field Trial was completed in 2011 for a cassava variety stacked with Iron. • The institutions involved are Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Abuja, National Root Crops Research Institutes (NRCRI), Umudike, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis- Missouri, Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja. The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

35. Bio-Cassava Plus (BC+) • High pro vitamin A • High iron • Increased protein • Intrinsic CMD resistance and reduced cyanide content as unintended benefits • TME 7 (Oko iyawo) genetic background - Oko iyawo constitutes about 25% of cassava land area grown in Nigeria or nearly 1 million hectares

36. Confined Field Trial of Beta Carotene Enriched GM Events in Nigeria • Plants were transferred to the field October 14, 2009 • Harvested in September 2010 • A second approval for clonal evaluation was granted and elapsed by October 2011 • Sequential harvesting to understand dynamics of accumulation of carotenes with growth

37. CFTs of Beta-carotene Enriched Events in Nigeria: GM Events are 20X of WT • Total carotenoids content range from 19 -37 ppm • Considerable biotic and abiotic stresses during the growing season

38. ABS Project The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

39. Africa Bio-fortified Sorghum • The project commenced in Nigeria in 2009 • The First Confined Field Trial commenced in July 2011 for the introgression of ABS traits into 3 adapted Nigerian Varieties. • Harvest of the First CFT was completed in December 2011 • Second Trial just commenced on 29th August 2012 and so, its on-going • Proof of concept and Identification of ABS traits into 3 adapted Nigerian Sorghum varieties in view. • Collaborating Institutions are Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation International (AHBFI), Nairobi; National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); and Institute For Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, Federal Ministry of Environment and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Abuja The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

40. NABDA and IAR involvement during ABS planting at IAR, Zaria ABS 188 at IAR Nigeria Sowing ABS IAR , Nigeria ABS 188 at IAR Ready for Harvesting seed storage at IAR, Zaria SAMSORG 17, crossed with ABS 188 at under confined field trial IAR, Zaria, Kaduna

41. What are people’s concerns? • are these foods safe? • Should foods be labeled? • Are there adverse environmental effects? • Patenting of seeds • Discrimination against the poor • Who benefits? All of these concerns apply to gm foods and crops in general

42. These concerns are generally true for all innovations. Governments create policies based on the following principles: Promote the general welfare Maintain people’s rights (individuals, groups, corporations) Ensure justice: burdens and benefits must be fairly shared

43. OFAB The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

44. OFAB is… • A knowledge sharing initiative by AATF, Nairobi, Kenya, launched in 2006. VISION • A food secure Africa where agricultural biotechnology is making significant contributions MISSION • To enhance knowledge sharing and awareness on agricultural biotechnology that would raise understanding and appreciation of the technology and contribute to building an enabling environment for informed and timely decision-making

45. Why OFAB? • In response to the need for a biotech information sharing platform • To provide an opportunity for biotechnology stakeholders to: • network • share knowledge & experiences • explore new avenues for collaboration in bringing the benefits of biotechnology to all across Africa The role of the seed companies in the commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria- Prof. B.O. Solomon (DG/CEO- NABDA)

46. OFAB Builds Partnerships

47. OFAB IN SCHOOLS…

48. Impact Assessment& Perception of Biotechnology across Nigeria as a result of OFAB Activities

49. Gender Distribution at OFAB Events

50. Previous knowledge of Biotechnology / GMOs