Genetic Engineering: Cereal Killer?
Hundreds of millions of people in Africa are directly involved in farming and related sectors. The biotech industry claims GE crops can solve world hunger, improve health and sustain the environment. Is it true? And have the poor once again been denied the right to participate in decisions that most affect them?
Seeds of Doubt
In Europe the argument against Genetic Engineering in food has been won. Risks to environment, economies, health and livelihoods are too high. Known and potential impacts are and irreversible.
The biotech companies are on the run. Monsanto has closed offices in Europe. Insurance companies in New Zealand/Aotearoa refuse to cover farmers growing GE crops. European consumers have rejected food containing GMOs.
Africa: Food Security = Seed Security
Seed is the central and cheapest input for farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Most farmers work within informal seed systems where they harvest heads/ears, pods etc. which are retained as sowing seed. It is only when disaster strikes (drought, flooding, conflict) that seed becomes a crucial issue. Farmers often exchange and test seeds on small plots before using them in a wider area.
In northern Ghana African Initiatives is supporting farmers promoting sustainable agriculture; seed security is central.
A Farmers’ Field School in northern Ghana supported by African Initiatives. Local farmers test different seed varieties, organic pesticides and farming approaches.
Alfred Sakafu, a friend and partner to African Initiatives, remembers his father, a farmer in central Tanzania, saving seeds. Only the very best seeds from the top of the maize cob were saved ensuring the crop variety became stronger each season. They were wrapped and put high in the trees where the breeze would keep them clean. Later they were stored in tins and everyone knew they were not to be touched until the next planting season.
Trade in seed is often weak because they are seen as a Gift from God and some believe that selling seeds will bring bad luck.
In Africa 1 billion farmers are dependent on seed saving. Most farming systems work in this informal, sustainable, cost efficient way. Seeds are part of a cultural heritage. So why undermine them through GMOS, suicide seeds and Intellectual Property Rights?
GMOs Coming to Africa
The Biotech companies need somewhere to go. And why not Africa with a voiceless population, disinformation, weak Governments and a few leaders susceptible to pressure from America.
GE crops in Africa are minimal however they are increasing with South Africa the first country to release GE cotton and maize seeds. GE research is predominantly on export cash crops such as flowers, cocoa, coffee, banana and wheat; not local foods. It is likely the field trials will lead to the eventual release of expensive GE seeds into the market, increasing poverty, indebtedness, landlessness and inequality.
Through patenting (intellectual property rights) and technology, global food production will rest with a very few multinational biotechnology companies accountable to no-one. Indigenous knowledge held by local farmers about farming and their environment will be ignored and wiped out. Restricting local farmers is a denial of their basic human rights.