Nigeria unveils two GM cotton varieties with higher yield potential

Nigeria has advanced efforts to revitalise its cotton and textile industry with the introduction of two genetically modified cotton varieties designed to deliver higher yields, reduce pesticide application and improve fibre quality.

The new varieties—Mahyco C567 BGII and Mahyco C571 BGII, were officially unveiled on Friday during a Mini Cotton Field Day organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) in partnership with Mahyco Nigeria PTE Ltd at NASC’s headquarters in Sheda, Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing participants at the event, the Director of Seed Industry Development, Technical Support and Commercial Services at NASC, Mr Kunle Adeseko, said the field day underscored the country’s renewed drive to rebuild cotton production through the deployment of quality seeds, improved farming practices and effective institutional partnerships.

“Cotton remains a strategic crop for Nigeria, supporting millions of smallholder farmers and serving as the backbone of the textile and garment industry. These improved varieties show what is possible when farmers have access to certified, high-performing seeds developed and tested under local conditions”, Adeseko said.

He explained that prolonged challenges such as low yields, limited access to quality seeds and weak value-chain linkages had undermined farmer confidence over the years. However, he noted that NASC’s Highway Seed Demonstration Programme was helping to reverse the decline by promoting certified seeds and restoring trust among cotton farmers across producing states.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General of NASC, Mr Kalu Okwa said the Bt cotton varieties were developed by Mahyco in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research and approved for commercial use after undergoing regulatory review.

According to him, the varieties are capable of producing between 3.5 and 4.4 tonnes per hectare, compared with the 900 kilograms to 1.5 tonnes per hectare commonly obtained from conventional cotton.

He added that the built-in Bt technology provides resistance to bollworm, leading to lower pesticide use, reduced production costs and improved profitability for farmers.

“These characteristics also align with industrial requirements, including better fibre length and strength, which are critical for ginneries and textile mills,” Okwa said, describing the initiative as a strong example of an effective public–private partnership.

Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, represented by the Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at the agency, Dr Rose Gidado, said Bt cotton demonstrates how the responsible application of science can enhance yields, reduce crop losses and improve rural livelihoods.

“Bt cotton helps minimise bollworm damage, lowers pesticide use and enhances productivity. That means safer fields, healthier communities and more competitive cotton for Nigeria’s textile value chain,” he said, while assuring stakeholders of strong biosafety regulation and continued support for locally adapted biotechnology.

At the event, farmers, researchers and other value-chain stakeholders toured demonstration plots and exchanged insights on agronomic practices, pest control and post-harvest management.

Stakeholders noted that widespread adoption of the new varieties could stimulate the revival of ginneries and textile mills, create employment opportunities for youths and women, cut textile imports and strengthen the national economy.

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They called for expanded distribution of certified seeds and supportive policies, as NASC reiterated its commitment to enforcing seed quality standards and collaborating with partners to reposition Nigeria as a leading cotton producer in Africa.