‘Africa Needs to Adopt Biotechnology To Feed Its Starving Millions’

Africa needs to adopt biotechnology to feed its starving millions, experts stressed at a meeting in Entebbe, Uganda early this week.

Africa needs to adopt biotechnology to feed its starving millions, experts stressed at a conference in Entebbe, Uganda early this week.

Genetically modified could be the answer to the challenges posed by stagnating agricultural productivity, harsh effects of climate change and a growing population, it was felt.

Farmers See New Hope in Genetically - Modified Crops
Genetically modified crops give new hopes to farmers. They are awaiting for the tested results on ground.

   Millions of smallholder farmers on the continent can no longer grow enough food to sustain their families, communities or their countries. This has lead to recurrent food crises on the continent as millions face hunger, starvation and death. The malnutrition levels have continued to go up.

    For instance in Uganda, malnutrition is widespread with more than 36 percent of children under three years and 10 percent of mothers suffering from chronic under-nutrition, according to ministry of health figures.

    Early this year, over 10 million Kenyans faced starvation mainly due to underproduction by smallholder farmers, harsh effects of climate change and disruption of the main planting season following last year's post-election crisis

Organic Farming – Need for a balancing Act
Organic foods are produced by the 'natural method', without the use of chemicals. Due to its popularity, several multi-national food co-operatives have begun to stake their claim in the organic market.

The situation in these two East African countries is the same or even worse in other African countries, especially those that have or are facing armed conflicts.

This appalling food situation has led to scientists to introduce GM technology as one of the means to boost food production on the continent.

Genetically Modified Crops Not a Solution to Poverty, Hunger or Climate Change
Experts have come to the conclusion that genetically modified (GM) crops are not a solution for poverty, hunger or climate change.

Bright Rwamirama, Uganda's minister of state for agriculture, said while in the past it was necessary to open up large expanses of land to increase production, it is now impossible because of the rapid population growth, pests, diseases and unpredictable climate.

"It is important to note that land is not expanding and we need to involve science to produce efficiently for our people's food security and to increase their incomes," he told the over 200 participants from Africa and other parts of the world meeting here.

Prince Charles Warns GM Crops Could Cause World's Biggest Environmental Disaster
Britain's Prince Charles has warned that GM crops could cause the world's biggest-ever environmental disaster.

    "We need to put in place varieties that are resistant to diseases, drought and also give higher yields to address the challenges of poverty in our communities," he added.

    African governments have been moving cautiously on whether to adopt genetic engineering and if so, how to do it, either using its scientists or those in developed countries. The continent now faces a daunting task of feeding millions of people who are starving.

    Some countries like South Africa, Egypt and Burkina Faso have started commercial use of GMs while others like Uganda are carrying out field trials and some like Zambia have vehemently refused to embrace biotechnology.

    Anti-GM lobbyists and advocates of organic agriculture continue to raise concern over the impact of biotechnology on people's health, the environment and its implications on food security.

    Moses Kiggundu, the chief executive officer of the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda says that while organic agriculture is friendly with some biotechnology applications like tissue culture and grafting, it is not agreeable with genetic engineering.

    "Transferring animal genes to crop or vice versa is not acceptable in organic agriculture. Once that transgenic transfer is made, it is permanent. If the results are negative, you will have to leave with them," he said at the meeting in Kampala.

    Rwamirama said Uganda will take a two-pronged approach, organic agriculture to take advantage of the lucrative European markets and GM crops to boost food production.

       Charles Mugoya, the Regional Coordinator East and Central Africa Biotech and Biosafety Program says that GM seeds go through a rigorous testing system before they are rolled out to the market.

    "Scientists mean well, along the way they want to ensure production as well as safety," he said.

    Margaret Karembu, director of ISAAA said that the debate should not be whether to adopt biotechnology, but how to adopt it.

    She said African countries need to discuss issues of biosafety and intellectual property rights, which are the main points of contention.

    "Managing the opportunities and risks posed by GM crops, including trade related challenges, requires countries to have a well-functioning, efficient, and responsible biosafety system," she said.

    She urged countries to emulate Kenya, Mali and Togo which have enacted national biosafety legislation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Source-Medindia
GPL/S