In Ibadan: 'Govt. should encourage biotechnology to boost food production,' expert says

The scientist stressed the need for the government to encourage cultivation of lima bean, which is used in producing daddawa, because of its health and economic benefits.

Dr Elizabeth Farinde, a food scientist with Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, on Sunday urged the Federal Government to fund biotechnology to ensure food security.

Farinde made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

The scientist said that biotechnology method was an improved method to boost food production, stressing that it was reliable and fast.

``Although biotechnology is a bit expensive, it will make work easier for farmers as well as enhance production of more food in the country,” she said.

She also urged the government to encourage patency of developed technologies so that farmers would have easy access to them.

The scientist stressed the need for the government to encourage cultivation of lima bean, which is used in producing daddawa, because of its health and economic benefits.

She said that lima beans were rich in protein, can easily be digested and a good therapy to control diabetes, cholesterol, softer and smells better than that of locust bean.

``Daddawa, also called Iru in Yoruba, is a good flavour enhancer for dishes; it is a good source of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamin A, E and K.

``Daddawa is more than a condiment as it can serve as meat in dishes and also a good source of riboflavin,” she said.

Farinde, therefore, advised farmers to cultivate the beans, saying that it would yield more income and improve their livelihood.