BY AMAYINDI YAKUBU
Recently, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the launch of a genetically modified seed variety to boost large-scale maize production in the country, making it one of the few nations in Africa to approve the use of such biotechnology. The new maize called TELA maize variety, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other sponsors was developed in one of Nigeria’s universities, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) which has span over 100 years existence since its inception in 1922, in collaboration with the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF), a Kenya-based agricultural organization campaigning for genetically modified technology in Africa.
Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically modified organisms known as GMOs are artificially modified plants or animals with changed genomes different from the natural organism. In plants, GMOs are developed to induce growth, improve nutrition or resist disease, pests or drought. According to bioengineering research, GMOs are produced through the direct insertion of genetic components into such organisms using technological mechanisms in contrast with traditional selective breeding which relies on normal sexual or asexual reproduction process.
A report made by the Alliance for Science showed that in 2018, 18m farmers in 26 countries chose to grow GM crops. Developing nations accounted for 54 per cent of the hectares planted in biotech crops globally. This shows how the adaptation of GM crops has taken a significant rise at its early stages. One can only imagine what degree to which its acceptance will grow in future.
Yet, the use of GMOs remains one of the most controversial subjects of debate globally considering the concerns raised by many about its health implications and environmental safety. Many countries have maintained different stands on the use of GMOs in their territory. GMOs are restricted in Russia for example while the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina allow the production of GMOs although with many regulations and reviews before their approval.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report in 2022 titled ‘Genetically Modified Crops: safety, benefits, risk and Global Status’ shows many benefits of GM crops like improved yield, insect-resistant crops, resistance to viruses, drought tolerant crops the report did not shy away in admitting some potential risks like allergens, toxicity, nutrition composition, crops becoming weedy and invasive, crops pollinating wild varieties, and weeds becoming herbicide resistance. But does the benefits mentioned earlier outweigh the risks posed by genetically modified crops?
In Africa, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Sudan, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Eswatini are at the frontline of pioneering the adaptation of genetically, modified organisms in crop production. Cotton, maize, cowpea, soybean, wheat, cassava, potato, canola, and rice are the major genetically modified crops that are currently being grown in Africa, although countries still maintain cold feet about genetically modified crop adoption.
According to a recent finding of the United States National Library of Medicine publication titled ‘The Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: The Public’s Current Perception, the Regulatory Obstacles and Ethical Challenges’ “only 11 of the 54 African countries currently cultivate genetically modified crops due to the wide range of opinion resulting from the disparities in cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors”.
The paper highlighted some of the benefits Africa would gain from the adaptation of genetically modified organisms in agriculture considering its large population and fertile landscape, but also raised concerns about GMO’s regulatory policies and supervision mechanism that most African countries lack to regulate its implementation.
Experts Insights and opinion on Genetically Modified Crops
The Pointer, while conducting a series of interviews about the adaptation of genetically modified crops in Nigeria with agricultural experts, gathered insights and perspectives shared by respondents. Mr Israel Kaduna, a staff of the Federal College of Agriculture, Zaria, speaking on the importance of GM crops in combating food insecurity said “Genetically modified crops produce varieties that are resistant to drought and insects, pests that can affect crop potentials”. He emphasized the ability of GM crops to strive and yield more to meet with the growing population.
Notwithstanding, Mr Kaduna expressed his fears about the adaptation of genetically modified crops. According to him, “genetically modified crops might bring an end to our local varieties given to us by our forefathers. With the swift implementation of the use of GM crop varieties, traditional varieties passed down from generation to generation might go into extinction, thereby leading to the loss of our African agricultural heritage’’. He lamented that most of the natural crops are medicinal, and losing them would come with consequences.
Addressing the controversies surrounding the adaptation of genetically modified crops, Mr Kaduna advised that instead of jumping on the bandwagon of depicting GM crops as harmful, African scientists should conduct research on these genetically modified crops to ascertain their usability. ‘’Research on the adaptation of GM crops in Africa seems overdue as more clamour from diverse views continues to take the lead. Our scientists need to tell which side of the story is factual based on their empirical evidence gotten from proven research work’’.
A lecturer with Delta State University (DELSU), Prof Ojeifo Moses, however, opined that the acclaimed benefits of GM crops are rather philosophical than realistic while insisting on the abilities of the natural crops to do better. He raised suspicions about the way protagonists in the business of GMOs are advocating for its adaptation alongside the ethical concerns surrounding the process of using DNA genetics of crops or even animals that certain people do not eat at the cost of producing such GM crops. ‘’For example, using DNA components gotten from pigs in some crops will infringe on Muslims religious ethics of eating meals made from such crops’’.
Moses further revealed the discrepancies in the way GM crops are registered in Nigeria, citing a lack of transparency on the side of the government and the National Biosafety Management Agency in allowing both the press and other non-governmental agencies to monitor the research and trial of the recently approved TELLA Maize and other crops.
Also addressing the sole monopoly of the agricultural institute at ABU Zaria in developing and researching Maize, cotton and cowpea GM crops in Nigeria while sideling other reputable agricultural centres in the research, Ojiefo expressed his concerns. “Why is it that only one centre has all the authority and knowledge about GMOs? There is more to it. Every year they are coming up with something, maybe they are the ones on the good books of Monsanto, Gates and his group”.
Ojiefo further hinted that most of the GM crops are herbicide resistant, meaning that herbicides that effectively kill natural crops lose their potency on these genetically modified crops. ‘’Won’t a crop that cannot be killed by chemicals or cannot be eaten by insects be harmful for human consumption?’’
Resistance From Below
A strong resistance has been witnessed against the adaptation and regulation of genetically modified crops in Africa by many civil societies. For the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), a research and advocacy organisation established in 2003 with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, “food sovereignty and agroecology in Africa, with a focus on biosafety, seed systems and agricultural biodiversity” is core to their heart ensuring that inequalities in agricultural practice are irradicated.
In a recent podcast marking the celebration of ACD’s 20 years of resistance against GMOs in Africa, the executive director of ADC, MariemMayet and Sabrina Masinjila along with HaideeSwanby who has been working at the research centre for a decade recounts their legacy in pursuing the course of forbidding the of GMOs in Africa. To Mariam Mayet “it was not just a question of food security. The idea of the green revolution that has been canvased for all this while was to further colonize the continent through the monopoly of large corporate industries in the commercialization of agriculture in Africa.
The research centre in their May 13 publication raised accusations towards the current campaign on the promotion of GM crops as thus “Despite the destructive role of industrial agricultural expansion in biodiversity loss and human health, we are seeing a resurgence in its momentum, with false solutions such as these offered”. They expressed concern about the propagation of the gospel of GM foods to reduce food insecurity as propaganda worth investigating to assess the consequences of such biotechnologies.
Many of the promised gains campaigners for the support of GM crops in Africa have canvassed for have been viewed by others as myths perpetuated for their benefits. One of the arguments for its support has been on the need for Africa to accept GM crops or resort to starvation, an opinion that has struck an emotional appeal in which critics assert that the innovation has in turn favoured the initiators of Genetically Modified products rather than the farmers. Some hold the opinion that most of the foods produced from genetically modified seeds are usually exported abroad as feed for animal consumption rather than to help sustain food security in the continent.
In a DW report on resistance against the use of genetically modified seeds in Africa, activism from African agricultural experts from Ethiopia, Togo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya and local farmers keep rising and the call to return to the use of traditional natural seeds continues to gain support. Citing the issue of the health effects of genetically modified seeds on people and the cultural interference of these seeds with their traditional beliefs. It is also noticed that the adaptation of genetically modified seeds in Africa has led to the dominance of the agricultural market by Western agrochemical and biotechnological firms to the detriment of local farmers in Africa.
As observed, the majority of the campaigns and support for the adaptation of GMO seeds in Africa have their origin and sponsorship from large multinational organisations, governments and institutes from countries abroad while strong resistance continues to mount against genetically modified seeds from Africa. This trend in itself suggests a puzzle we need to solve by investigating. Africa needs as a matter of urgency to learn from the precautionary approach some of the European Union countries are giving to the adaptation of genetically modified crops.
Recommendations
We need a strong moral compass that guides and monitors what enters our shores. It is not in an attempt to discredit the honest invention of scientists, but rather a critical check on the potential effect any innovation can bring not just looking at the returns it will have on our domestic gross profit. Investing in initiatives that might grow the national reserve and large corporate bodies while later paying painfully for the consequences it might impact on people is not worth bargaining.
Here in Nigeria, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) must ensure that it continues to ensure a regulatory framework to safeguard Nigerians and their environment from the potential effect of contemporary genetically modified crops and animal and other biotechnological-related products.
Drafting and execution of biosafety laws and genetically modified labelling on GM foods like those in Europe is necessary for people to decide for themselves whether to purchase such products or go for natural-grown food. However many corporate industries might argue against such acts because it will potentially reduce the purchasing power of such products.
Laws must mandate genetically modified crops to undergo serious trials and vetting by proficient regulations for such to be approved even though the product is coming from highly developed technological countries. You never can tell!
