A Lusaka based Crop expert has observed that adoption of genetically modified crops in Africa is hampered by the lack of science-based and cost effective regulatory systems.
Nchimunya Bbebe said spirited regulation is urgently required to suit the needs of the farmers in developing countries like Zambia.
He was speaking in Lusaka today during the official launch of the 2014 global status report on commercial bio-tech crops.
The report is prepared by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) that shares the benefits of crops.
The report states that a record 18 million farmers in 28 countries globally planted 181.5 million hectares of biotech crop in 2014 compared to 175.2 million hectares in 2013.
Mr. Bbebe however said, the African continent has continued to make progress in bio-tech crops despite the myths and controversy surrounding bio-technology such as South Africa, Sudan and Burkina Faso who have increased cotton hecterage.
Other countries where trials were conducted on bio-tech crops namely maize, bananas, cotton, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum, soya beans and cowpea are Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda as well as some european countries like Bangladeshi and Brazil.
And speaking at the same occasion, Michael Banda, a farmer from Chipata, in eastern province spoke on the need for farmers to grow cash crops such as cotton to enhance livelihoods.
Mr. Banda, who is a member of the Cotton Association of Zambia, said the agro-sector has created job opportunities to the people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bbebe has challenged the media to highlight stories on genetically modified crops and break the barriers surrounding bio-technology which offers vast potential for food security.
He said the media should highlight stories on crop bio-technology to help people appreciate genetically modified crops.
This is what ignorance and stupidity make people do. What makes people think that GMO food is poisonous or even unsafe for this council to burn food in this manner?
Bangaladesh, Brazil European countries….??..ndipo kulikantu ku LT news room….its not even weekend to blame alcohol….that aside….the phobia or peoples fear/belief on the clinical side effects of GMOs has not been satisfactorily dispelled by scientists….hence most people are sceptical on consuming GMOs….tho the above theory does not apply to the have not….
Do you really understand GMO before you talk of regulating it? If you do not want GMO products stop importing anything from South Africa because they have GMO crops and they feed their livestock with feed made from GMO crops. Mosanto, a company that promotes GMO is selling maize seed in Zambia through a subsidiary company Delkab and they have the following available seeds: DK 8031, DKC80-33, DKC80-53, DKC80-73. I doubt so much if these are not GMO maize seeds.
Ati Malabishi pati. GMO ku America nakwa Zungu kwao Uko!!
Gmos have it’s advantages and disadvantages.the blame should be put on government not not taking this seriously and informing the public.Gmo products may not always be harmful.the fear with gmos is that they have a potential to destroy the natural breed of a number if seeds.if genetically modified seeds are planted for example,they may contaminate the existing breed.in the long run when buying seeds for planting,there will be need to buy these seeds from the company modifying them.so Zambia will have to buy seeds from abroad.be warned
GMO look it up on youtube, myth or truth, no greater yields, wont stop hunger, uses more pesticides, and distorts natural plants genetic up make, read your science carefully
Read your science carefully…… on YouTube?
Ninshi kanshi tukwatile autibuleki ya kansa mucalo cesu iyo tatwakwete kale in high proportion?
It has been suggested that when it comes to genetic engineering (GMOs), Africa is simply ‘afraid of the unknown’. If this were true, however, the African continent would not currently be growing maize (a Central American crop). When hybridized maize was pushed on Africa as the new ‘technology’ which would end hunger as part of the Green Revolution, traditional crops (which already do exactly what GM crops are being engineered to do: drought-resistant, pest-resistant, high-yielding, highly-nutritious) were pushed aside, ignored, and often even stigmatized. Until being overshadowed by the Green Revolution, Africa had traditionally sustainable ‘technologies’ such as seasonal and year-round access to yields, polycultural planting systems, indigenous knowledge of seed saving techniques,…
Government can make a stance on GMOs and inform the public. Educating the public about the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs would help people to understand exactly what they are.