Advances in Plant Breeding, Polemics of Genetically Modified Crops and Biosafety Frameworks in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the top African countries with fast population growth that requires technological interventions for improving agricultural production. Agriculture is entirely the source of food or nutrition security, raw material for agro-industries and export commodities for the country. The abrupt population increase augmented with challenges derived by climate change and newly emerging problems necessitate the use of modern plant breeding techniques. This paper provides insights of advancements in new crop improvement research, discourses associated with genetically engineered crops and biosafety frameworks in the country. Ethiopia has begun evaluation and use of genetically modified (GM) crops. The classical agricultural researches are being undertaken for more than five decades but require embracing modern tools to better address agricultural challenges. As compared to conventionally developed elite varieties, GM crops are found to be more advantageous based on their traits of interest in various ways. In handling GM research, there was no compromise on the biosafety procedures and regulations of the country. Bollworm resistant cotton, insect resistant and drought tolerant maize have already been evaluated incompliance with the country’s biosafety framework and released for general use while few GM crops are still under confined or contained evaluations. Opponents are emerging in the country with the adoption of the technology and misinformation is undergoing using various media outlets. Public research and regulatory institutes have been providing evidence based information using all possible means. Continuous public awareness enhancement is equally important with the adaptation and use of new technologies.