Prof Ncube opens on GMOs
FARMERS might soon consider the production of food from Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMO) as the Government continues to find new ways to help the country increase food production and avert severe impacts of climate change on agriculture production.
GMOs, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is also called genetic engineering where a plant has had its genetic material changed using technology. These have proven to aid in the food production when farmers have had crop failure.
GMOs have been a bone of contention in agro-production locally. There has been no clear policy on how to undertake the scientific procedure in the country where farming is predominantly reliant on traditional forms of agriculture.
Over the years as farmers, agronomists and climate change experts have scantly talked about the shift to plant engineered seeds. Evidence of reduced crop yields that worsened hunger and household food insufficiency due to droughts could usher in a new view on GMOs.
While farmers are gripped with the conservation farming technique that is fronted by Government and other private organisations through the Intwasa/ Pfumvudza scheme, debate on GMOs has started. The Finance and Economic Development Ministry has pushed for the provision of funding so that farmers desist from old agriculture practices.
In doing so, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Water went a step further in reaching out to the majority of farming districts to partners with farmers in the adoption of alternative technologies. Ahead of the 2021 budget presentation, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said it was essential to open the debate on GMOs.
“The impact of climatic changes and reliance on old agricultural methods over the years requires us to revisit our technologies with a view of enhancing production and productivity. This includes the necessity of adopting modern alternative technologies including tissue culture as well as further assessments of GMOs, through vigorously debate that examine the merits and demerits of genetic engineering,” said Professor Ncube in his widely spread proposal to economic stakeholders.
Opening talks on GMO production, as Prof Ncube puts it, must also consider weighing the benefits of precision agriculture and digital technologies.
“Furthermore, the Government is promoting precision agriculture (PA) that uses information technology (IT) to ensure that crops and soil receive optimum health and productivity, that way guaranteeing profitability, sustainability and protection of the environment. Similarly, promotion of various traditional grains such as sorghum, millet and rapoko that are drought resistant, especially in the face of climate change affecting domestic agricultural activities will be pursued,” he said.
e 2021 Budget Strategic Paper put out by Prof Ncube aims to guide the farming community to adapt well to climate change and environmental management.
“Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture that integrates agriculture development, climate responsiveness and environmental management will guarantee the country achieve food security and other broader development goals.”
The Government’s call for climate smart inclusive agriculture could sound well for agro-ecology experts. With only a few weeks left before farming activities go full throttle, a number of farmers in low rainfall areas are already eager to sow small grains that adapt easily to hard weather conditions.
Grains that include rapoko, millet and sorghum have proven to rake in good harvests. But over the years, in areas such as Nkayi, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Matobo and Gwanda, some farmers abandoned planting such grains. Not all will shift to small grains, a likelihood that will in future open way for GMOs in maize production. But, this must be a notion that farmers have to do away with.
Agro-ecology experts told Sunday Business last Thursday that a fusion of alternative technologies and traditional grains brings out more on the welfare of farmers and country’s grain stores. Planting small grains was the sure way to help farmers in dry regions pull out of poverty, said Mr Dingaan Ndlovu an agroecology advocate with Health and Well.
“It is more to do with climate adaptation. When we encourage farmers to go for small grains, we also push for the use of precision farming. Being able to do conservation farming at the same time ensuring that the farmers reap more from the field is what is being called for,” said Mr Ndlovu.
South Africa, which is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner is one country in Africa that has dedicated itself to the production of GMO maize. Prof Ncube said agriculture was expected to grow by 11,3 percent next year.
“In 2021, the agriculture sector is projected to grow by 11,3 percent, riding on favourable weather forecasts, timely financing, mechanisation and better capacitation of farmers through extension services and training.”