Factors influencing adoption of genetically modified crops in Africa

Abstract

The debate around genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa continues to grow especially among policy-makers, food manufacturers, farmer organisation and consumer advocacy groups and the general public. While other regions have taken a firm position on biotech crops, Africa remains largely ambivalent, with wide variation in GM policy across countries. The central objective of this paper is to analyse the factors that influence the adoption of GM crops in Africa. First we evaluate the current status of GM crop adoption in Africa. Second we identify the key enablers and hindrances to adoption of GM crops. The main factors include ministerial control of biosafety, peer country influence, stage of seed sector development, advocacy by key political figures, the media, activism, food security and technical capacity. We posit that, for most African countries, GM policy is guided by political rather than technological considerations with media and special interest groups playing a key role. Despite the numerous impediments, slow progress is being made in preparing the requisite enabling environment for biotechnology adoption in Africa.

Transgenic Pro-Vitamin A Biofortified Crops for Improving Vitamin A Deficiency and Their Challenges

“…In South Asia, for instance, Bhutan adopted a restrictive GMO-free strategy banning any introduction, release, or research of GMOs while India established federal and state agencies to regulate already commercialized GM crops [67]. In sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa among few others is a frontrunner of GM crop adoption and enacted GMO laws in 2000 while Angola prohibits GMOs with no enacted GMO laws [66,68]. Mabaya et al (2015) identified some key factors affecting GM crop policies in Africa [68], which might be applicable to South Asia.…”

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa among few others is a frontrunner of GM crop adoption and enacted GMO laws in 2000 while Angola prohibits GMOs with no enacted GMO laws [66,68]. Mabaya et al (2015) identified some key factors affecting GM crop policies in Africa [68], which might be applicable to South Asia. First, positions of line ministries are important; the ministry of agriculture tends to favor GM crops whereas the ministry of environment tends to view them as potential threats.…”

“…Second, peer country influence is significant because GM crop adoption by one country can trigger repercussions across porous borders. The repercussions include spreading agricultural technology, sharing knowledgeexperience, trading unapproved GM products, and unintended environmental contaminations [68]. Herrington (2008) indicated that unauthorized transgenic crop planting might be considerable [5,65].…”

“…Fourth, advocacy by key political figures and public influence are identified important; the media, often criticized for sensationalism, sway public opinions that in turn influence political decisions. Fifth, food security crisis plays a role in GM crop adoption; with production surplus, there is more reluctance to adopt GM crops whereas under food insecurity they are considered a workable alternative [68].…”

Social Science Studies on European and African Agriculture Compared: Bringing Together Different Strands of Academic Debate on GM Crops

“…Like the academic debate on GM crops and the poor, the public controversy around GM crops in Europe not only concerns domestic use but frequently extends to their role in the sustainable development of agriculture in the Global South [25][26][27]. Many have argued that the divergent positions of the US and EU have contributed to the current low adoption rates of GM in Africa [28][29][30], with only South Africa, Burkina Faso and Sudan having commercial plantations of GM crops [16].…”