ISAAA AfriCenter and Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA) launched the ISAAA annual global status report on GM crops (Brief 49), on the 13th of May at Mbabane, Swaziland. The meeting which was led by Dr. Faith Nguthi, a Senior Programs Officer at ISAAA AfriCenter, and Hon. Jabulani Mapuza, Minister for Tourism and Environment, was attended by 45 participants.
Hon. Mapuza, reiterated that over the last 19 years of commercial production of GM crops, no ill effects has been reported over their use on human health or the environment. He also informed the audience that Swaziland is already importing yellow GM maize from South Africa for feed.
On the 29th April, the AfriCenter and the Cotton Development Trust (CDT) collaboratively launched the report in Lusaka, Zambia, to enhance the awareness on GM crops in the country. During the press briefing, CDT cotton breeder Mr. Nchimunya Bbebe said that lack of science-based decisions and ineffective regulatory systems are hampering the adoption of GM technology in Africa. To counter this, he called for sharing of knowledge on crop biotechnology to better inform the community about new technologies.
On the 26th May, ISAAA AfriCenter’s Program Officer Paul Chege launched the report in Lilongwe, Malawi. The launch was done in conjunction with the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST). Alick Manda, the Director General of the NCST said that it was an opportune time to launch the report since the country had recently been hit by floods and dry spells. According to Mr. Manda, Malawi needs to consider adopting crop biotechnology to mitigate some of these challenges. He stressed that the government of Malawi is committed to ensuring food security and said that biotech is one of the viable tools. He advised that Malawi farmers should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of modern agricultural technology as their counterparts elsewhere in the world.
In Maputo, Mozambique, on 28th May 2016, Dr. Carlos Santana from the Ministry of Science and Technology reported positive progress in the review of the biosafety law, expressing optimism that the changes would be approved by the government in the coming weeks. This approval meant that the country can now forge ahead with conducting trials on biotech crops, and eventually commercialize. The participants at the ISAAA report launch, including journalists and scientists, observed the need to educate the public on the role of agricultural biotechnology in transforming agriculture. Mr Paul Chege from ISAAA AfriCenter presented the report at the launch.
Benin held their launch on the 22nd May, the same day as the International Day for Biological Diversity. The launch held by ISAAA AfriCenter in collaboration with the Benin Center for Biodiversity, Ecotourism and Seeds (CBBS), highlighted the contribution of GM crops in contributing to environmental conservation. The guest of honor at the event Mr Gbeve Ahoudji Daniel from the Ministry of Industry encouraged efforts to share knowledge on crop biotechnology. Participants agreed on the need to track progress and chart a way forward for the country. Mrs Brigitte Bitta, a Program Officer at the AfriCenter presented the report at the launch.
