Bio-Business-Nigeria - Federal Government Says for the Nation's Bio-business would only thrive, through proper identification of her Medicinal, Aromatic and Pesticidal Plants (MAPPs), animals/animal parts and other raw materials used for herbal medicine, cosmetics and others. Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Okon Bassey Ewa who stated this at the opening ceremony of HerbFEST 2011, stressed that the highlighted products should be made readily available and backed with scientific evidence based information and technological infrastructure to ensure their cultivation and conservation. In his presentation entitled ; Investment Opportunities for Herbal Food and Natural Products, Ewa said the call had become pertinent as it has been shown that the stock of medicinal plants in the country are depleting at an alarming rate due to environmental degradation, inappropriate harvesting methods, bio-piracy and illegal commercialisation. "This growing demand and activities threaten the sustainability of the country's vast biodiversity," he lamented.

Recognising the effective documentation, conservation and promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity is an important step to exploit the huge potentials in global bio-business, the Minister said his ministry through the NNMDA, the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and other stakeholders are working at developing a comprehensive inventory of the nation's Bio-resources, bio-diversity and enormous traditional (indigenous) medicinal knowledge and published research findings in traditional medicine and MAPPs of Nigeria.

"This exercise will assist the development of appropriate species and cultivars for herbal therapy development for Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) and entrepreneurs interested in developing farms of MAPPs.

Furthermore, the minister noted that other Agencies such as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) are also working with NNMDA to assist the development of low cost equipment and spares for herbal products development and commercialisation.

Speaking, Director General, NNMDA, Dr. Tamuno Okujagu said the global huge economic potential in natural medicine product is estimated at $100 billion U.S dollars and if well developed and managed in Nigeria could pave the way for huge source of job and wealth creation.

He noted that world wide, herbal medicine is gaining prominence, especially in view of: new or resistant and challenging ailments, which orthodox medicine has not been able to address, the total care approach of traditional medicine, easy, ready accessibility and cost effectiveness of natural health products, its more personal and holistic approach and the lack of/or minimal side effects.

This enabled determination of the most appropriate strategies for tackling hunger and pinpoint the areas that will need the most attention - now and in the future.

Chioma Obinna

Vanguard/25/10/2011