ANALYSIS | Genetically modified crops may be a solution to hunger - why there is scepticism in Africa | Business

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In 2022, the African region accounted for the highest level of hunger as described by Global Hunger Index. | News24_Business

Evidence from the past two decades

that genetically modified crops could resolve low agricultural productivity, nutrition and food insecurity on the continent.that GM technology increases yield, develops disease-resistant crops, and creates varieties that can tolerate drought. But the technology is controversial. In Africa, only Nigeria, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan, South Africa and Kenya allow commercial production and importation of GM products. Other African countries oppose them, largely because of the European Union on GM products have affected its trade partners, including countries in Africa. Egypt and Burkina Faso, which had commercialised GM maize and cotton in 2008, backtracked on GM partly because of their trade relationship with the EU.

In the study, my team and I developed a framework for adopting GM crops which we called fibre-feed-food . The F-3 framework adopts GM cotton first, followed by GM feed for livestock, then GM food. It ensures that all necessary risk assessments are carried out between GM cotton and GM feed before producing GM food for human consumption. And it helps familiarise farmers and the public with new technology and allay their concerns about safety.

The framework has helped more than 30 African countries conduct GM crop field trials. GM products undergoing research and development include vitamin A-fortified cassava and potatoes, bacterial wilt-resistant banana and water-efficient maize, among others.have the potential to address food insecurity in Africa.The technology is already contributing to global food security.

 

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