The African Union (AU) is pushing for the adoption of biotechnology to achieve its Agenda 2063 on making the continent food secure in the wake of failing rains occasioned by the effects of climate change, The East African reports.

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Africa Union-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AU-Nepad) officials are meeting policy makers from 11 African countries to discuss measures that the continent has put in place to embrace gene editing technology for boosting food production in line with the AU blueprint.

AU-Nepad Centre of Excellence in Science Technology Head, Prof Olalekan Akinbo, says they are having a discussion with key government officials to discuss the adoption of this technology to boost productivity and cut on import bills.

"The AU believes that the food import bill can be reduced through investments in agriculture research and innovation. In addition, we have found out that gene editing is one of the technologies that will help the continent achieve the dream of becoming food secure,” said Akinbo.

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He said gene editing, though yet to be adopted in Africa, has been proved elsewhere to produce crops with superior genes that can withstand drought and produce more yield as compared to the conventional variety.

Worst drought ever

The calls for adoption of his technology comes at a time when Africa is staring at one of the worst droughts that has resulted to deaths of human lives as well as livestock.

The Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG), which is co-chaired by Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao), estimates that close to 23 million people are currently highly food insecure in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

According to Igad, below-normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa over the next two months.

According to AU, gene editing can produce crops that are drought tolerant and insect resistant and help overcome climate change that the continent is grappling with just like the rest of the world.