Debate over genetically modified crops in Africa

FARMING:Race to food securityAS a way of combating challenges related to food security and climate change in Africa, some researchers are proposing the use of biotechnology in increasing the production of agriculture. The Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development (PAEPARD) document summarises the results of 50 selected research projects on genetically modified organisms (GMO). It was co-funded by the European Commission under the Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation and was conducted between 2001 – 2010. The publication includes a summary of the latest Euro barometer survey 2010, on Life Sciences and Biotechnology. The study drew its conclusions from the work of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research involving more than 500 independent research groups. In its conclusion, they stated that, ‘biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not riskier than e.g. conventional plant breeding technologies,’ and that “...biotechnological research and applications are much more diverse than they were 25 years ago.’However, the Draft Biosafety Bill of 2005, states that Rwanda is uniquely endowed with biodiversity and recognises the close and traditional dependence of the Rwandan people on intrinsic relationship with biological resources. Rwanda is one of the countries that partially met the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the extent that it allows them to commission research and development (R&D) activities involving GM crops in containment and confinement but not to commercially release GM crops. This constitutes developing policies and legislation on Genetically Modified crops but this process is yet to receive full parliamentary and cabinet endorsement.According to the official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) for Rwanda, which is the subject of this report, is in compliance with the provisions of the international protocols and conventions to which Rwanda is signatory relating to safeguarding human health and protection of the environment.The Government of Rwanda ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on March 18, 1995; signed and ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on May 24, 2000 and December 29, 2003 respectively. As a party to the convention and protocol, therefore, the Government was required to put in place appropriate policy, legal and institutional mechanisms to implement the provisions of these conventions and protocols. With the several debates and ongoing controversies among researchers on whether Africa should use biotechnology, in particular, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), to improve the agricultural sector, there is need to know the way forward.IN an interview with The New Times, Daphrose Gahakwa, Deputy Director General in charge of Research at the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), said that there are no genetically modified crops in Rwanda.“We are still building capacity so that we can understand this technological discipline. If that is put in place, then we can draft the rules and regulations that can govern the practice,” Gahakwa explains. She also said that a lot is required to execute the requirements of biotechnology involving GMOs. “We are trying to increase agricultural produce with the already existing technology that our farmers understand and if we get the required capacity for genetically modified products, we can also pass it on to our farmers. Otherwise, we can’t ask the farmers to use a specific technology when even we, the implementers, don’t fully understand how it operates,” Gahakwa says. The Crop Intensification Programme, through an improvement of productive input use, such as, irrigation coverage and soil quality is one approach that has guaranteed food security and strengthened Rwanda’s agricultural productivity.THE Crop Intensification Programme (CIP) was launched in September 2007, as a pilot programme with the main goals of increasing agricultural productivity in high-potential food crops and ensuring food security and self-sufficiency in all the districts.The idea behind the CIP is very simple and effective; it involves the increase of productive inputs with the use of fertilizers, water use and improvement of irrigation especially because Rwanda’s terrain is hilly. This should lead to an increase in production.Through the CIP, the government procures improved seeds and fertilisers which it distributes to farmers in selected areas based on their food crop production potential.According to Ernest Ruzindaza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), the technology used in CIP is environmental friendly. “We use inorganic fertilisers but we combine them with organic ones. We also make sure that we implement control measures,” Ruzindaza said.On whether CIP is economically profitable and sustainable in the short and long-term perspective, he said, “The programme is helping Rwanda as a poverty eradication strategy; it has played a very big role in improving the welfare of Rwandans. In agriculture when you invest in staple crops, besides improving the welfare of the people, you also tackle the cost of living.” Joseph Gafaranga, Executive Secretary of Ibaraga Union of Famers in Musanze District in the Northern Province, said there are two challenges they face regarding the Crop Intensification Programme. “As a result of climate change, we have to postpone the cultivation period. For instance, we cultivated later than the usual time, this year. The other challenge is the drop in food crops as a result of huge harvests of the same food crop,” Gafaranga said. He also said that they have to sell off perishable food crops as quickly as possible, hence incurring low profits. On a brighter side Gafaranga said several challenges have been overcome through CIP, such as provision of fertilisers from MINAGRI, which improves soil fertility thus increasing productivity. “We also acquire high breed seeds as well as farming equipment at subsidised prices,” he added. Gafaranga is a commercial farmer with four hectares to his name. He cultivates maize on two hectares and Irish potatoes on the rest. “With CIP in progress, I have been able to harvest an increase of 30 per cent produce as opposed to before and that is because I was already a commercial farmer. However, other farmers who embraced CIP technology during its introduction have had their harvests multiply by five,” Gafaranga said.

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Debate over genetically modified crops in Africa