According to World Health Organisation data, an alarming number of Africans—over 340 million—were affected by malnutrition and severe food insecurity between 2014 and 2020. Low agricultural productivity and post-harvest losses on the continent are major contributors to the crisis. However, evidence from the last two decades suggests that genetically modified (GM) crops may hold the key to solving Africa’s problems of low agricultural productivity, malnutrition, and food insecurity.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that GM technology has a positive impact on crop production. It has been demonstrated that GM crops can significantly increase yield, develop disease-resistant varieties, and create drought-tolerant crops. Despite these encouraging findings, the debate over GM crops continues, particularly in Africa, where only a few countries, including Nigeria, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan, South Africa, and Kenya, permit commercial production and importation of GM products. Other African countries remain sceptical, owing to the European Union’s stance on GM products, the continent’s limited scientific capacity, and the high cost of regulation.
The EU’s strict GM product regulations have had a far-reaching impact on its trade partners, including African countries. Egypt and Burkina Faso, for example, commercialised genetically modified maize and cotton in 2008 but later reversed their decision, owing in part to their trade relationship with the EU. This demonstrates how external factors influence African countries’ GM crop policies.
To shed more light on the situation, I led the largest study of its kind on GM agriculture in Africa in 2013. Based on the perspectives of 305 stakeholders from six African countries, this study provided valuable insights into the status, development, and regulation of GM crops.
Our research resulted in the creation of a framework known as “fibre-feed-food” (F-3) that outlines a phased approach to the adoption of GM crops. The F-3 framework recommends starting with GM cotton (fibre), then moving on to GM feed for livestock, and finally GM food for human consumption. This approach ensures that comprehensive risk assessments are conducted between phases, that farmers and the general public are familiar with the technology, and that safety concerns are addressed.
More than 30 African countries have been able to conduct field trials for GM crops thanks to the F-3 framework. Crops such as vitamin A-fortified cassava and potatoes, bacterial wilt-resistant bananas, and water-efficient maize are currently being researched and developed.
Based on my extensive research in this field, I am convinced that agricultural innovations such as genetically modified (GM) crops have the potential to alleviate food insecurity in Africa.
The Promise of Genetically Modified Crops
The impact of genetically modified crops on global food security cannot be overstated. Over the last 25 years, GM technology has contributed to the global production of 330 million metric tonnes of soybeans and 595 million metric tonnes of maize, according to a report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. Furthermore, between 2004 and 2008, the adoption of GM technology among cotton-producing households in India reduced food insecurity by 15% to 20%.
According to studies on the benefits of planting GM crops, approximately 65% of the gain is due to higher yields and increased production, while the remaining 35% is due to lower costs. Since the mid-1990s, farmers in developing countries have reaped more than half of the global value gain of $186.1 billion. Brazil, Argentina, India, Paraguay, and China were among the top ten countries in terms of GM crop cultivation in 2019.
GM technology has the potential to improve crop nutrient content. A successful trial in Mozambique, for example, used sweet potatoes bio-fortified with pro-vitamin A, which were well-received by young children and could improve child health.
Furthermore, GM crops have demonstrated environmental benefits in developed countries by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and pesticide use. According to a 2020 study, GM technology has prevented the release of 23.6 billion kilogrammes of CO2 globally, highlighting its potential in combating global warming.
Obstacles to Genetically Modified Crops in Africa
Despite the obvious benefits, the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa has been slow and fraught with controversy. Attempts to develop and commercialise GM products face significant obstacles. These challenges manifest as strict regulations, limited research capacity, and safety concerns in Uganda and Nigeria, for example.
The application of GM technology in Uganda has been hampered by a biosafety regulatory stalemate, a lack of awareness, and political interference. Various national biosafety policies have emerged over the last decade, causing confusion and delays. Concerns about potential risks associated with GM crops, such as gene flow, biodiversity loss, and health-related issues, have prompted a review and amendment of GM laws. Due to disagreements between the parliament and the president, a bill aimed at regulating GM organisms in Uganda failed to become law in 2018. The majority of parliamentarians cited risks as the reason for the country’s ban on GM organisms. However, the scientific community, led by the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organisation, believes that clear regulations would facilitate research and development while also providing critical information for informed decision-making. Accepting organisms like GM bananas has the potential to reduce malnutrition and poverty.
In Nigeria, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed a national biosafety bill into law in 2019. Nigeria then commercialised GM cotton, followed by GM cowpea, to control pod borer insects, which cause significant annual losses in cowpea yield. Cowpea is an important source of protein and energy, especially in rural areas. However, some scientists, environmentalists, and consumers in Nigeria are still sceptical of GM cowpea, fearing that it will displace traditional varieties and that farmers will be unable to afford GM cowpea seeds. Other scientists and agro-biotech firms, on the other hand, argue that genetically modified cowpeas can help reduce food scarcity while also providing nutritional benefits. Acceptance of genetically modified cowpea is heavily dependent on the availability of local evidence, which necessitates scientific capacity and collaboration with private research institutes.
The Road Ahead
Developing resilient food systems necessitates the application of a wide range of existing and emerging agricultural technologies, including genetically modified organisms. Several key actions can be taken to encourage the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa:
Increase research and development in agricultural biotechnology.
Scientists should be educated and trained to improve their field capacity.
Local scientists should be involved in the development of research agendas and the provision of evidence to inform national decision-making processes.
Facilitate the exchange of ideas and information at all levels of government.
Raise awareness about GM crops through science communication that is informed by local evidence, emphasising the benefits and addressing concerns.
Effective policies, research efforts, and science communication must all work together to ensure that GM foods are safe for consumption while also playing a critical role in ending hunger and malnutrition in Africa.
