 Now, welcome to Business News. After years of research, years of Department of Agriculture, years of A, in collaboration with the Nigeria's National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA has launched Baltic cowpea. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. According to research, the cowpea will reduce the use of pesticides from its price per season to about two targeted sprays and increase yield by up to 20 percent. This means that Nigeria will record a revenue increase of more than 48 billion naira annually from cowpea. Plus, to be in this correspondent, Ngozi Gaiher-Chester reports. Beans is one of Nigeria's staple foods, but consumers' taste buds are about to experience something new. The Council of Agricultural Affairs U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Gerald Smith, says the new beans will improve nutrition and food security across Nigeria. Eating is believing it's a community engagement activity that is helping to boost the demand for BT cowpea and healthy bean-based food products. The cowpea or bean is incredibly nutrient-dense and rich in vitamin A and C, including micronutrient. Plants are on to distribute the Baltic cowpea seedlings to farmers by the first quarter of 2022. It's readily available to the farmers. Probably in Lagos, a lot more work has to be done to make it available. But it is available where I come from. And I think in Oyo State, there is a company that is interested in producing it commercially, so Lagos will be covered. And all of Nigeria will be covered, you know, finally. Traditionally, it's something known that beans is nutritious. It has high protein content, but fingers are not equal. Even among the cowpeas, there are some cowpeas that may have differences in terms of high protein content. So this one is among those. Because it has more than 24% crude protein content and also with high iron and zinc, which is also needed. That was why some farmers, women, especially in the rural areas, where they cannot afford meat and also fish, a source of protein, they can use as an alternative because that one would supplement what they are needing, what they like in terms of the protein supplement. That will really help. And especially for the women that are pregnant, pregnant women, it will also help them. Because even at conventional coffee, doctors used to advise them to say you be adding beans into your product so that at least you be taking those kind of essential elements like iron and zinc and so on and so forth. The biotech beans is made into bean cake and pudding. Participants and farmers explore the new taste. One assurance is consistent here on the lips of experts and daters. The biotech cowpea is safe to the health. For Plus TV Africa, Gozika or HSE.