Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been the world’s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: <it>Bacillus thuringien...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2012-11-01
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| Series: | Agriculture & Food Security |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.agricultureandfoodsecurity.com/content/1/S1/S5 |
| _version_ | 1818236383662178304 |
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| author | Ezezika Obidimma C Daar Abdallah S |
| author_facet | Ezezika Obidimma C Daar Abdallah S |
| author_sort | Ezezika Obidimma C |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been the world’s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: <it>Bacillus thuringiensis</it> (Bt) cowpea and nutritionally enhanced cassava (“BioCassava Plus”). Using the bio-safety guidelines process as a backdrop, we evaluate the role of trust in the operation of the Cowpea Productivity Improvement Project, which is an international agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at providing pest-resistant cowpea varieties to Nigerian farmers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed the published literature and collected data through direct observations and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed based on emergent themes to create a comprehensive narrative on how trust is understood and built among the partners and with the community.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our findings highlight the importance of respecting mandates and eliminating conflicts of interest; holding community engagement initiatives early on; having on-going internal discussion and planning; and serving a locally-defined need. These four lessons could prove helpful to other agricultural biotechnology initiatives in which partners may face similar trust-related challenges.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overcoming challenges to building trust requires concerted effort throughout all stages of project implementation. Currently, plans are being made to backcross the cowpea strain into a local variety in Nigeria. The development and adoption of the Bt cowpea seed hinges on the adoption of a National Biosafety Law in Nigeria. For countries that have decided to adopt biotech crops, the Nigerian cowpea experiment can be used as a model for other West African nations, and is actually applied as such in Ghana and Burkina Faso, interested in developing a Bt cowpea.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:09:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b9b9af508283408f8f11b4ccf707569e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2048-7010 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:09:00Z |
| publishDate | 2012-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture & Food Security |
| spelling | doaj.art-b9b9af508283408f8f11b4ccf707569e2022-12-22T00:24:56ZengBMCAgriculture & Food Security2048-70102012-11-011Suppl 1S510.1186/2048-7010-1-S1-S5Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in NigeriaEzezika Obidimma CDaar Abdallah S<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been the world’s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: <it>Bacillus thuringiensis</it> (Bt) cowpea and nutritionally enhanced cassava (“BioCassava Plus”). Using the bio-safety guidelines process as a backdrop, we evaluate the role of trust in the operation of the Cowpea Productivity Improvement Project, which is an international agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at providing pest-resistant cowpea varieties to Nigerian farmers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed the published literature and collected data through direct observations and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed based on emergent themes to create a comprehensive narrative on how trust is understood and built among the partners and with the community.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our findings highlight the importance of respecting mandates and eliminating conflicts of interest; holding community engagement initiatives early on; having on-going internal discussion and planning; and serving a locally-defined need. These four lessons could prove helpful to other agricultural biotechnology initiatives in which partners may face similar trust-related challenges.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overcoming challenges to building trust requires concerted effort throughout all stages of project implementation. Currently, plans are being made to backcross the cowpea strain into a local variety in Nigeria. The development and adoption of the Bt cowpea seed hinges on the adoption of a National Biosafety Law in Nigeria. For countries that have decided to adopt biotech crops, the Nigerian cowpea experiment can be used as a model for other West African nations, and is actually applied as such in Ghana and Burkina Faso, interested in developing a Bt cowpea.</p>http://www.agricultureandfoodsecurity.com/content/1/S1/S5Bt cowpea<it>Maruca-</it>resistantNigeriatrustagricultural biotechnologypublic-private partnershipMonsantoAfrican Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) |
| spellingShingle | Ezezika Obidimma C Daar Abdallah S Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria Agriculture & Food Security Bt cowpea <it>Maruca-</it>resistant Nigeria trust agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership Monsanto African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) |
| title | Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria |
| title_full | Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria |
| title_short | Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria |
| title_sort | overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects a case study of bt cowpea in nigeria |
| topic | Bt cowpea <it>Maruca-</it>resistant Nigeria trust agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership Monsanto African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) |
| url | http://www.agricultureandfoodsecurity.com/content/1/S1/S5 |
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