'Africa knows little about biotechnology in agriculture'

Tanzania farmers, whose knowledge on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is very limited, should not be forced to embrace it, but be allowed the freedom to choose which crops they should sow for feeding their families and the continent at large.

That’s the view of experts, who note that, the farmers are at crossroads on the controversial subject that is pitting those for and against GMOs.

The experts say the African farmer can only make an informed decision on the matter after being properly educated on what genetically engineered crops are and what benefits their use can yield. Currently the general public in Africa, particularly small-scale farmers, have little knowledge and information on the use of biotechnology in agriculture.

They are also misinformed on the issue, which has divided the world and created divisions in governments, caused misunderstandings among policymakers and led to academic rivalries among researchers and scientists.
Limited by a shallow background on science and technology, farmers in the continent remain confused and undecided on which way to go.

Principally, GMO involves a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic.
This process is called either genetic engineering (GE) or genetic modification (GM).

For many years, intensive discussions over health concerns of genetically engineered crops have been rampant.
Until very recently, farmers have been propagating the use of seeds prepared conventionally while big biotech companies, which now increasingly target Africa, want the adoption and more use of GMOs. In Africa, it is only a few African countries notably South Africa that have commercialised GMO crops on a substantial scale. In Tanzania for example, no genetically modified crops are grown currently.

“As Africans remain at a crossroads on whether to accept or not to accept biotechnology in farming, the rest of the world has been making big advances in the area. The world is making remarkable strides that will see Africa remain hungry and an importer of food despite the abundant availability of fertile land,” says Mr Mark Lynas.  Click here continue reading