The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to supporting agricultural innovations that improve nutrition and food security in Nigeria.
The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with Iowa State University (ISU), launched an online training course for 10 Nigerian scientists and regulators. The goal of the training is to strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Nigeria and assist policymakers, researchers, and technical experts to understand the role of modern biotechnology in agricultural innovation.
The training participants will also discover how biotechnological innovations can be adopted with appropriate science and risk-based considerations, especially for seed production and trade.
Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs, U.S. Mission Nigeria, Gerald Smith, explained that participants would be able to identify and share ways in which agricultural innovations could advance food security, and the trade policies – including information that would assist farmers to access technologies.
“ISU’s Seed Science Center is partnering with USDA’s FAS to offer a four-month virtual training course on agricultural biotechnology. This training course will focus on biotechnology research, policies and regulations, management, and public outreach components, as well as biotechnology-related trade issues,” Smith said
