The origin of food is seed. Whoever controls the seed controls the entire food chain. These seeds are not owned by any African entity, they are owned by American companies – Duke Tagoe, Food Sovereignty Ghana
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the newest shining star in the industrial food production sector. Some see mixed blessings in the introduction of genetically engineered food. Even then, it is another pretext for the affluent industrial north to maintain control over nations experiencing extreme food insecurity. It is, therefore, another example of imperialism in action. Some, on the other hand, believe it to be a solution to the issues with food security that plague Africa as a whole. This is the justification.
GM foods, according to proponents of the free-market philosophy, will increase crop production and, as a result, living standards. Higher returns for stockholders will come from the market’s growth. On the other hand, many who oppose GM food believe that the environmental damage caused by GMOs would be more widespread and that long-term health issues would quickly undermine any apparent increases in food availability.
Agribusinesses in Africa’s seed markets have made significant strides. South Africa is the leader in Africa for genetically modified food. After South Africa, Nigeria is now the second country in Africa to permit the sale of genetically modified corn. However, Ghana’s GMO food situation is quite erratic. The war is losing, even with CSOs’ combined efforts. The use of genetic modification in food production methods is gradually increasing. Genetically modified cowpeas, for instance, require clearance from the National Varietal Release and Registration Committee, the Food and Drugs Authority, and the National Biosafety Authority before they can be sold.
Challenges and controversies
In Africa, the public’s perception of genetically modified food is negative. Many Africans are still uninformed of or lack basic knowledge about genetically modified organisms (GMOs); nevertheless, governments and the media have contributed to the promotion of GMOs. Fear-mongering and misunderstandings concerning genetically modified organisms have resulted from inadequate public education efforts by African governments and the media. Because of this, farmers have different opinions about genetically modified organisms (GMOs); while some perceive potential benefits, others are because of ignorance and lack of knowledge. Notwithstanding, there are real threats. Farmers are, indeed, concerned and this concern is justifiable.
This is because Africa has lax regulations on genetically modified foods. GM food regulation in Africa varies by country. Most African countries lack a regulatory framework because of the influence of large agribusinesses. Ghana has established a regulatory framework to oversee GMO development and commercialisation, which includes the Biosafety Act (831) and the National Biosafety Authority. South Africa, for example, has had mandatory GM labelling regulations in place since 2004, as per the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act (1972) (Regulation 25). The more recent Consumer Protection Act (CPA, 2008) Regulation 293 from the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) requires all GM goods to be labelled. In October 2022, Kenya lifted a 10-year ban on the cultivation and importation of genetically modified crops. Other African nations have also approved GM crops, though only a few have regulatory laws in place.
The effects of genetically modified organisms
There have been discussions and studies of the effects of GM food on African agriculture. GMO proponents contend that the technology can boost crop yields, address issues with food security, and lessen the need for chemical pesticides. Research suggests that genetically modified crops, like insect-resistant Bt cotton and insect-resistant maize, have demonstrated favourable effects on agricultural output in specific African nations. Furthermore, GMOs could increase the nutritional content of crops, increase their resistance to pests and diseases, and lower post-harvest losses.
But a significant obstacle lies in the “Biotech monster’s” attempt to impose their “kamikaze seeds” on other nations, as this seed imperialism serves to reinforce already-existing inequalities. Along with the possible loss of biodiversity and the replacement of conventional farming methods, critics also point out the negative effects of GMOs on the environment and human health. Additionally, the public’s opposition to GMOs and regulatory obstacles have prevented GM food from being widely adopted and implemented in Africa.
The release of commercial genetically modified seeds has far-reaching consequences. It would also negatively impact the export industry and permit foreign control over Africa’s seed supply, resulting in a reduction in the availability of conventional seed varieties. Not only that the local varieties will decline because of foreign seeds’ dominance, but it will force those who cannot afford the foreign varieties to sell their labour.
On the other hand, multinational corporations assert that their heightened engagement in food production benefits the continent. They also asserted that by ensuring that Africa’s crops are sold in better markets, more local farmers would benefit from their intervention. Thus, it is a “win-win” situation where everyone benefits from increased production, a decrease in pest threats, and more efficient use of water and soil, all of which contribute to sustainable agriculture in a sustainable environment. This is the theory.
There’s an elephant in the room. The primary cause of GM food’s downfall is its tendency to impede food sovereignty. The term “food sovereignty” in African communities refers to their ability to set their own agricultural and food policies that are appropriate from an ecological, social, economic, and cultural standpoint. The right to produce food in a sustainable manner that honors regional ecosystems and customs is also included. Because it can jeopardise food sovereignty, this makes GMO food a divisive topic.
The author and other proponents of food sovereignty contend that the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) poses a risk to traditional farming methods, local seed systems, and farmer autonomy. We argue that GMOs have the potential to undermine food sovereignty by increasing reliance on large corporations for inputs and seeds.
Others who oppose the use of GMOs contend that the technology violates the principles of food sovereignty because it frequently involves the patenting and privatisation of seeds, which can weaken the position of African farmers and communities. Furthermore, the underlying causes of hunger and poverty – which are frequently connected to more general structural problems like access to markets, resources, and land – may not always be addressed by GM foods. This point of view contends that because small-holder farmers are driven to marginal land by large-scale food production, which is a recipe for disaster as land grabs will increase the cases of social unrest.
On the other hand, advocates of genetically modified food contend that the new technology can enhance agricultural productivity and food security, two crucial aspects of food sovereignty. The potential of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to tackle issues like pests, diseases, and environmental stressors is highlighted, which could strengthen agriculture’s ability to withstand the effects of climate change.
Moving Ahead
GMO farming is a novel approach to promoting efficiency-based progress while fostering reliance. Africa’s reliance on foreign capital is solidified because land control and seed dependency go hand in hand. Because of the deepening of dependency, people who are buying land all over Africa can be sure they will get their money back.
Regretfully, a lot of African countries are gleefully stumbling into this trap – a trap set up by the G8 to have total control over the impoverished. GMO farming will replace conventional farming practices and establish a new global agricultural order. In this food regime, GMO farming will replace traditional farming practices, posing new challenges to those who depend on local knowledge of crops and soil. Therefore, GM food is not a cure-all to solve Africa’s ongoing food crisis. In Africa, agribusiness objectives cannot be entrenched or reinforced through a siloed approach.
The locally grown food sovereignty principle, like the food sufficiency strategy I presented in my book, is the answer. This is a mix of the food sovereignty concept and the Thai Sufficiency Economy, wherein agroecological methods are optimised to boost food production. To address the opportunities and challenges related to GM foods in Africa, it is imperative that there be constant communication and interaction with a wide range of stakeholders to uphold the principles of food sufficiency.
Overall, African economies have adopted the avarice of large agribusinesses that they were unable to attain through the backdoor. We have not paid attention to Thomas Sankara’s voice from beyond the grave. Our food and nutrition transitions are now under the control of whoever feeds us, which is just another race to the bottom.
By Sadiq Austin Igomu Okoh, PhD
