While proponents of genetic modification say it can increase yields, researchers point out that Africa already grows enough food.
Outside her brick house in central Uganda’s Kavule village, Nalwoga Mary, 89, gently spreads out seeds of maize and beans on a tarpaulin. The seeds will be out in the sun all day, every day, for almost a week until the moisture completely dries out. They will then be stored either in a plastic container or carryout bags for use in the next growing season. Every harvest, Nalwoga saves around 3 kg of maize and bean seeds.
Spread over three acres, her farm has coffee, sweet potatoes, beans, maize, and a Ugandan staple: matooke, a type of green banana grown in the country and other places in East Africa. Drying, storing, and replanting the seeds is a routine she has followed for over 60 years now. But a recent conversation with her coffee buyer has raised some apprehensions. The buyer informed Nalwoga about neighbouring Kenya’s recent decision to cultivate and import genetically modified organisms and told her what that could mean for farmers like her in Uganda.
The coffee buyer was referring to the Kenyan government’s decision in October last year to allow cultivation and importation of GMO foods ten years after banning their use. The move prompted civil society groups in both Kenya and Uganda to sue the Kenyan government. As a result, the Kenyan high court has halted the government’s decision for now.
Uganda is bordered to the east by Kenya. The two countries trade agricultural products, including seeds. Kenya’s decision has ignited conversations around GMOs in Uganda. Those against GMOs worry the move will promote seed dependency, a form of “neo-colonialism in Africa”, as put by David Kabanda, executive director of the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights, a local NGO. Meanwhile, proponents of GMOs insist the move is solely to address the challenge of food security.
In the middle of all this, farmers like Nalwoga are left uninformed and worried.
The first time Nalwoga heard of GMOs was on a local radio show in 2017, where two opposing agriculturalists debated the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill of 2012 that, if signed into law, would allow the cultivation of GMOs in Uganda. Since then, she hadn’t heard anyone around her speak about GMOs until the recent conversation with her coffee buyer brought the subject back to mind.
Even though Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni declined, in 2012 and 2017, to sign into law the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, it is still an active issue in the country. In October 2022, the Ugandan Parliament planned to introduce a bill prohibiting GMOs, but the bill has still not been introduced. Despite repeated requests for comment, Global Press Journal did not receive a response from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Andrew Kiggundu, an agricultural consultant affiliated with the National Agricultural Research Organization, a government agency, says there is nothing wrong with African countries adopting “agricultural innovation” to feed their growing populations. “What is wrong with looking for different seeds that are resistant to drought, pests, insects – issues that have become a problem to local indigenous seeds?” he says. The cultivation of GMO crops in Africa started with cotton in 1997 in South Africa. This was followed by maize in 1998 and soybean in 2001. So far, four African countries – South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt and Sudan – grow genetically engineered crops, but only South Africa and Egypt grow GMO food. Other African countries such as Zimbabwe and Zambia banned the cultivation of GMOs, citing health and environmental concerns, but have accepted imports of GMO crops.
Eddie Mukiibi, the executive director of Slow Food Uganda, a grassroots organisation that works to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, says the Kenyan government’s decision should have everyone in Uganda and across the continent worried. “What is clear is that companies like Monsanto are propagating the false narrative that GMOs will eradicate food security in Africa with a selfish intention to create a food dependency on Western seed corporations, with the purpose of providing markets for their seeds … not because they care about the hunger issue in Africa,” he says.
But Alexander Hennig, a spokesperson for Bayer AG, says, “To secure food supply in times of climate change, we need more openness to innovation”. The Germany-based multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company acquired the US company Monsanto in 2018, though the combined crop science division is still informally identified by the Monsanto name. “Bayer highly welcomes the science-based decision of the Kenyan and other African governments to lift the ban on growing and importing GMOs,” Hennig says. “Combating hunger and ensuring food security is at the core of what we are doing.”
In 2021, hunger affected 278 million people in Africa. The region has the highest prevalence of undernourished people, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). But the story of Uganda is different. According to the World Food Programme, up to 40% of fruits and vegetables in Uganda are lost to disease, pests, and rot. More than 12% of maize grain produced in the country is wasted on the field due to prolonged field drying and late harvests. Another 18% is lost during transportation, processing, drying, and poor storage. In fact, the FAO notes that 89% of people in Uganda are food secure and can afford three meals a day, apart from the Karamoja region where food harvests are low due to dry weather.
Kabanda, from the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights, says Africa’s food security problem isn’t because Africans are not growing enough food for the continent’s population. “The challenge is the leaders’ failure to implement policies and infrastructure that would ensure food security, such as food storage facilities for the surplus food produced [and] expanding irrigation services for water supply to farmers in dry seasons.”
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For other farmers, rules that prohibit saving seeds from GMO crops are a big concern, as is accidental cross-pollination for their non-GMO crops. Iga Zinunula Sam, a farmer, worries that if GMO cultivation is allowed in Uganda, the issue of cross-contamination will inevitably occur. And eventually all farmers like him “will end up in a situation of economic bondage, where every farmer will have GMOs in Uganda whether they want it or not, creating a situation where we would have to depend on corporations for seeds”.
Having to pay for seeds every planting season is challenging for many Ugandan farmers, says Ayebare Prudence Aijuka, the policy research manager at Uganda National Farmers Federation. “What we need is good technology to combat our challenges such as pests and diseases. We need as many options as possible for better yields, but we also don’t want to be trapped in what will destroy our food sovereignty,” she says.
For Nalwoga, better alternatives are welcome, she says, provided farmers like her be given the freedom to grow “whichever seed they want [to], without being inclined to one product”.
This story was originally published by Global Press Journal. Global Press is an award-winning international news publication with more than 40 independent news bureaus across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Nakisanze Segawa is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Kampala, Uganda. She specialises in reporting on issues of health and human rights.
FAQs
Are GMOs used in Africa? ›
In Africa, GMOs are beginning to become a part of modern agriculture, but as of now, only in small ways. As of 2019, just five of Africa's 47 countries allowed GMO crops to be grown: South Africa, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria.
Why and how GMO would benefit the African continent? ›GMOs reduce pesticide use.
GM crops are bred to resist pests and diseases, such as fall armyworm, late blight in potatoes, cowpea pod borer and banana bacterial wilt. Growing a resistant variety helps farmers get a good yield while reducing their use of pesticides. 5.
Contamination & Economic Loss
Part of the problem is the very nature of nature. Many plants are pollinated by insects, birds or wind, allowing pollen from a GMO plant to move to neighboring fields or into the wild. This “genetic drift” illustrates the enormous difficulty in containing GMO technology.
A number of African countries, including Kenya's neighbors Tanzania and Uganda, have bans on genetically modified agriculture. The lifting of the ban in Kenya is already causing jitters, with Tanzania stepping up vigilance on GMOs following Kenya's move.
Why did Africa ban GMOs? ›Many African countries have banned GM crops, arguing that they will cross contaminate other plants, pollute the environment and could have long-term health effects for humans. Zimbabwe, for instance, says although GM crops may initially be resistant to pests, the resistance could breakdown over time.
Why Africa has not embraced GMOs? ›► Africa took a long time to embrace GMOs primarily due to lack of political support or 'will'. ► South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria – the six first adopter nations are showing political support for GM technology.
How GMO would weaken the African continent? ›GURT technologies will cause African farmers to become wholly dependent on companies for their seed supply and for the costly chemicals that their seeds will not be able to grow without. The technologies promise rich rewards for the multinational companies, but they spell doom for small-scale farmers in Africa.
What are the examples of GMOs in Africa? ›Crops under research for use in Africa include cotton, maize, cassava, cowpea, sorgum, potato, banana, sweet potato, sugar cane, coconut, squash and grape.
What is the impact of GMO in food security in Africa? ›The study suggests that GM maize may improve climate change adaptation strategies, support producers in both high and low-production areas and bolster food security in the case of white maize consumption in South Africa.
Why are GMOs bad for the economy? ›Adoption of GMOs into seed markets could lead to farmer dependence on corporations that control the price and supply of seeds. The cost of switching from traditional to genetically modified seeds could also lead to increased inequality among farmers, as poorer smallholders will be left behind by their competitors.
What are negative impacts of GMOs? ›
Environmental concerns include : the risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops. a negative impact on insects and other species. reduction in other plant types, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
What's the problem with GMOs? ›The main concerns around GMOs involve allergies, cancer, and environmental issues — all of which may affect the consumer. While current research suggests few risks, more long-term research is needed.
Which country does not allow GMO food? ›In the same year eight countries banned the cultivation of GMOs on their territory: Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Greece and Italy. It is possible that other countries could follow suit. Currently there are eight applications for approval pending, including the renewal of maize MON 810.
Which countries have rejected GMO foods? ›Nineteen countries chose not to grow GMOs, with the major ones being Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Scotland. There are countries other than those in the EU that oppose GMOs. For example, a moratorium on GMOs exists in Russia through 2023.
Which country uses GMO crops the most heavily? ›Among the countries growing GM crops, the USA (70.9 Mha), Brazil (44.2 Mha), Argentina (24.5 Mha) India (11.6 Mha) and Canada (11 Mha) are the largest users.
Why GMOs should be illegal? ›Where they are grown, GM crops occupy large surface areas and are linked to intensive monoculture systems that wipe out other crop and ecosystems. Growing only one kind of corn for human consumption will mean a reduction in flavors, traditional knowledge and food security.
Why should we ban GMO foods? ›The biggest threat caused by GM foods is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.
What 3 countries have banned GMOs? ›In Africa, Algeria and Madagascar have banned GMOs, and in Asia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia. Finally, in the Americas, Belize, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela have all banned GMOs.
Why is Africa so genetically diverse? ›Because modern humans originated in Africa and have adapted to diverse environments, African populations have high levels of genetic and phenotypic diversity.
Why are GMOs bad for developing countries? ›For many people in developing countries, GM crops are products that endanger human health and the environment because of the income and value of stocks. On the one hand, there are those who strongly consider that GM crops pose a threat to human health and can be destructive to biodiversity.
What are the pros and cons of GMOs? ›
The pros of GMO crops are that they may contain more nutrients, are grown with fewer pesticides, and are usually cheaper than their non-GMO counterparts. The cons of GMO foods are that they may cause allergic reactions because of their altered DNA and they may increase antibiotic resistance.
Why doesn t Africa produce more food? ›It's pretty simple: African farmers are, on average, the poorest and least educated in the world. They have the least ability to afford irrigation, farm equipment, fertilisers, quality seeds, cutting-edge knowledge, and the other inputs that make for productive agriculture.
Can GMO cause extinction? ›– Introducing genetically modified organisms into wild populations holds a greater theoretical risk of extinction of natural species than previously believed, according to two Purdue University scientists.
What are the disadvantages that GMOs bring to humans? ›- Toxicity. Genetically engineered foods are inherently unstable. ...
- Allergic Reactions. ...
- Antibiotic Resistance. ...
- Immuno-suppression. ...
- Cancer. ...
- Loss of Nutrition.
South Africa is one of the countries in the world with accumulated evidence on the benefits of GM crop cultivation. The benefits include reduced input costs for farming, conservation of the ecosystem and stress-tolerant crops.
When were GMOs introduced in Africa? ›In 1996, South Africa welcomed the dawn of agricultural biotechnologies, better known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with the planting of the first GM maize crop.
What are three common examples of GMOs? ›- Corn: Corn is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, and most of it is GMO. ...
- Soybean: Most soy grown in the United States is GMO soy. ...
- Cotton: ...
- Potato: ...
- Papaya: ...
- Summer Squash: ...
- Canola: ...
- Alfalfa:
Aside from South Africa and Sudan, 11 African countries — Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda —sustained biotech crop research, with 14 traits on 12 crops under various stages of development.
How do GMOs affect food security? ›GMO crops have significantly increased crop yields and simultaneously decreased pesticide use. By doing these two things combined, we are producing more food with less inputs. Decreased use of pesticides, means less pesticide production demand and also less energy use on the farmers' end, too.
How GMOs could potentially end poverty and hunger in Africa? ›GM crops will hopefully produce more yield on less land. This may increase the overall productivity and may offer developing countries a means to sustain themselves and reduce worldwide hunger. Ninety per cent of the world's 13.3 million "biotech crop farmers" are from developing countries.
How do GMOs affect society? ›
“Human society is supported by its ability to produce sufficient food for the total population while at the same time not using up or degrading the capacity to continue to produce that amount of food in the future.” GMOs support society by producing safe and abundant crops while conserving natural resources.
Can we survive without GMO? ›It's almost impossible to live a GMO-free life. Being completely GMO-free means more than purchasing non-GMO labeled products. It also means giving up many foods and products that make our lives easier.
How do GMOs affect humans? ›These studies1 show that GMOs do not affect you differently than non-GMO foods. Do GMOs affect your health? GMO foods are as healthful and safe to eat as their non-GMO counterparts. Some GMO plants have actually been modified to improve their nutritional value.
How do GMOs help farmers? ›Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop and food loss and control weeds. The three most common traits found in GMO crops are: Resistance to certain damaging insects. Tolerance of certain herbicides used to control weeds.
What are the ways to avoid GMO products? ›- Buy food that is labeled 100 percent organic. It has no GMOs.
- Choose whole foods that you can prepare yourself instead of processed or prepackaged foods.
- Look for "non-GMO" or "GMO-free" labels.
- Purchase grass-fed beef.
- Shop at local farmers markets.
Genetic modification produces genetically modified animals, plants and organisms. If they are introduced into the environment they can affect biodiversity. For example, existing species can be overrun by more dominant new species. These and other potential effects are considered during the licensing procedure.
Is GMO good or bad? ›In addition, over the two decades that GMOs have been on the market, there have been no occurrences of health issues due to genetically modified organisms. As GMOs stand today, there are no health benefits to eating them over non-GMO foods.
Are GMOs harmful to humans and the environment? ›Genetically engineered crops pose no additional risks to humans and the environment when compared to conventional crops, according to a new report.
Does USA ban GMO? ›FDA regulates most human and animal food, including GMO foods. In doing so, FDA makes sure that foods that are GMOs or have GMO ingredients meet the same strict safety standards as all other foods.
What foods are not GMO in USA? ›Shop at farmer's markets and remember that most produce is safe non GMO, even conventional varieties, with the exception of corn, radicchio, beets, Hawaiian papaya, zucchini and yellow summer squash. Organic whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are safe.
Who is against GMO? ›
What is the GMO opposition? Within the development sector, Greenpeace and Fairtrade International are the leading voices opposing GMOs.
Why do Europeans not like GMOs? ›One cause of European opposition to GMOs is that the advantage to agriculture and food production is often considered weak or non-existent, while the risks are considered substantial.
Is it safe to eat bioengineered food? ›According to the National Academy of Sciences and the FDA, bioengineered foods are safe to eat and pose no risk to your health. The NBFDL and USDA's regulations require all foods and ingredients that have modified DNA to make a disclosure using one of four methods of the food manufacturer's choice.
Did Russia ban GMO? ›358-FZ “On the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Improving State Regulation in Genetic Engineering” (hereafter –358-FZ). These amendments prohibit the cultivation and breeding of GM plants and animals, except for research and laboratory purposes.
What are the benefits of GMOs in Africa? ›GMOs reduce pesticide use.
GM crops are bred to resist pests and diseases, such as fall armyworm, late blight in potatoes, cowpea pod borer and banana bacterial wilt. Growing a resistant variety helps farmers get a good yield while reducing their use of pesticides.
Now there are at least twenty-six, including Switzerland, Australia, Austria, China, India, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, Mexico and Russia. Significant restrictions on GMOs exist in about sixty other countries.
What countries don t use GMOs? ›In the same year eight countries banned the cultivation of GMOs on their territory: Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Greece and Italy.
Which country uses the most GMOs? ›Among the countries growing GM crops, the USA (70.9 Mha), Brazil (44.2 Mha), Argentina (24.5 Mha) India (11.6 Mha) and Canada (11 Mha) are the largest users.
Which countries reject GMO? ›Nineteen countries chose not to grow GMOs, with the major ones being Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Scotland. There are countries other than those in the EU that oppose GMOs. For example, a moratorium on GMOs exists in Russia through 2023.
How do GMO foods affect human health? ›In addition, over the two decades that GMOs have been on the market, there have been no occurrences of health issues due to genetically modified organisms. As GMOs stand today, there are no health benefits to eating them over non-GMO foods.
Why should the US ban GMOs? ›
Where they are grown, GM crops occupy large surface areas and are linked to intensive monoculture systems that wipe out other crop and ecosystems. Growing only one kind of corn for human consumption will mean a reduction in flavors, traditional knowledge and food security.
What is the most common GMO in the US? ›Corn is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, and most of it is GMO. Most GMO corn is created to resist insect pests or tolerate herbicides.
Which African countries are using GMO foods? ›Aside from South Africa and Sudan, 11 African countries — Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda —sustained biotech crop research, with 14 traits on 12 crops under various stages of development.
Does USA use GMO? ›Yet the use of GMOs is undoubtedly widespread. Since GMOs were approved for commercial use, and then first planted into U.S. soil in 1996, their production has increased dramatically. More than 90% of all soybean cotton and corn acreage in the U.S. is used to grow genetically engineered crops.
What might the world be like if GMOs did not exist? ›We'd have more pesticide use, and more harmful pesticides. And we'd have higher greenhouse gas emission so more contribution to global warming.” The research shows without GMOs, consumers would pay somewhere between $14 and $24 billion more per year for food.
What is the best country to live in for organic food? ›Australia's organic farmland makes up 99-percent of the organic agriculture of Oceania. The country has the most certified organic land in the world, totaling a whopping 17-million hectares. Since the early '90s, Australia has had strictly regulated standards for the production and labeling of organic products.