Potatoes production in Rwanda can be improved if biotechnology is used, says Dr. Jan Krenze, project coordinator of International Potato Center (CIP).

Biotechnology is any technique that uses living organisms or substances from those organisms, to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals.

It involves gene transformation and the use of chemicals. In potato production, it enhances disease and weevil resistant potato species.

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Director General of Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR) attributed the low production of potatoes in Rwanda to weevils and diseases saying much of the crop is destroyed before it reached the table.

Bagabe said its production is just a quarter of the country’s food demand. He advised that when biotechnology is adopted, poverty could also be reduced and food security improves as many will have what to sell and eat.

"Like in Uganda and Kenya, biotechnology has been embraced and their food production levels have increased. This could perhaps explain why Rwanda imports from Uganda.

Bagabe revealed that the biotech law was sent to the cabinet for approval but if passed, food production is expected to improve in the country. There were fears that the technology could have a side effect on soil fertility and potato quality.

But a Belgium Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGDC) is carrying a research; the findings could allay these fears.

However, Cyubahiro said that as more research goes on, the cabinet should consider and approve the biotech law as the country is striving to have technology for economic development.
 
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