‘Eating is believing’: How Nigerian consumers are taking to new GMO cowpeas

Joseph Maina | Farmers Review Africa | January 28, 2022

This article or excerpt is included in the GLP’s daily curated selection of ideologically diverse news, opinion and analysis of biotechnology innovation. It is posted under Fair Use guidelines.

“I’ve tasted the akara GMO,” [All Farmers Association of Nigeria Chairman Otunba Oke Babafemi] exclaimed at the inaugural Eating is Believing event held recently in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. “It is nice, sweet and so delicious!”

The “Eating is Believing” campaign is an initiative of Nigeria’s National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The initiative seeks to increase consumption and boost the demand of GM cowpea.

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So delighted was Babafemi after tasting the akara made with GMO cowpea that he now wants to serve this meal to Nigerian farmers at all their future conventions, ensuring that as many palates as possible partake in the savor. As an African proverb says, one who eats alone cannot discuss the taste of the food with others.

“Whatever the time we are having a meeting, we should always prepare that cowpea akara, at least for everybody to enjoy it,” he said, while exuding confidence that there will be greater acceptance and adoption of the cowpea among the country’s farmers.

The crop is already finding great acceptance among farmers, with demand for the seeds quickly outstripping supply.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here. 

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