Zimbabwe explores biotech to boost agriculture

Zimbabwe has launched a forum to encourage
public discussion on the use of biotechnology to
boost the country's food security.
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology
(OFAB), launched earlier in December, aims to
explore ways to boost Zimbabwe's crop yields
without using genetically modified (GM) crops,
which are banned in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the forum, Zimbabwe's
minister of higher and tertiary education, science
and technology development, Olivia Muchena,
called for greater public awareness about the role
of biotechnology in agriculture, to dispel the
misconception that biotechnology necessarily
means GM technology.
Biotechnology refers to scientific techniques that
use biological systems, living organisms or their
derivatives to make or modify products or
processes - for example, to develop seeds that
germinate faster or produce bigger yields.
Genetic modification, which is a particular biotech
approach, alters the genetic structure of living
organisms to confer characteristics such as better
resistance to disease and tolerance of heat or
water stress.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the
most divisive among the various biotechnologies,
and Zimbabwe is one of several African countries
that have banned the cultivation or sale of GM
crops.
The private sector - including some companies
that use GM tools - is backing the new forum in
the hope it may eventually influence government
policy on GMOs, even though GM is not within its
remit.
"Forums like this are important as a country
considers the best way to bring innovation to
their agricultural industry and how to improve
the food security of its people," said Barbra
Sehlule Muzata, a spokesperson for DuPont
Pioneer.
The company produces hybrid seeds used by
Zimbabwean farmers, which it says help
improve crop productivity and quality. It also
offers GM products.
"Similar forums have played a key role in other
countries around the world, and we hope
Zimbabwe will have a positive experience as well.
We look forward to working together to help
address the challenges Zimbabwe farmers face,"
Muzata said.