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It is encouraging to witness discussions by Zimbabweans on how the country can be firewalled from the menace of genetically modified organisms

Stanely Mushava  Correspondent
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is dispatching a series of cancer alerts against a growing range of foods and products. The organisation’s cancer arm, International Agency for Cancer Research, recently lit up the Internet when it routed out red meat and processed meat as silent assassins.

Earlier reports about the carcinogenicity — potential to cause cancer — of some synthetic pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides is just as pertinent, although it has not occasioned as much publicity.

Health alerts of such proportions are sometimes side-swiped to indulge capitalist tendencies bent on maximising profit whatever the cost in human lives lost. As such, reports on the carcinogenic properties of trending commodities are being played down to alarmist conspiracy theories.

Apparently, the signal is jammed by producers to ensure that third world dumpsites do not break with capitalist convention.

In some cases, governments have been hoodwinked by profit-driven producers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) although several scientific studies have established that they cause cancer, infertility, birth defects and other maladies.

However, whenever credible alerts are raised, it is imperative to take responsibility for our own welfare not least because capitalist centres are not their customers’ keeper. In light of the onslaught on the third world consumers, it is encouraging to witness discussions by Zimbabweans on how the country can be firewalled from the menace.

Groups such as Optimising Pesticidal Plants: Technology, Innovation, Outreach and Networks (Options), chaired by Professor Brighton Mvumbi, are facilitating discourse towards home-grown solutions to these problems.

Experts say organic farming, particularly the use of organic pesticides, will curtail the negative health implications associated with the use of synthetic pesticides. Organic farming refers to a production system which utilises biological diversity to control pests and replenish the fertility of the soil, independent of synthetic implements.

Such initiatives get farmers and researchers to share insights on how the benefits of organic farming can be maximised.

Farmers have a more intimate knowledge of their environment while researchers are coming in with prospects of validation, standardisation and optimisation.

Children are particularly at risk of exposure to carcinogenic elements as they administer pesticides or work in the field barefooted. The broader populace also risks cancer through consumption of food that would have been compromised by carcinogenic chemicals or genetically altered in such a way that it applies toxins into the body. Exposure to some pesticides is also known to compromise immunity and to demobilise anti-retroviral therapy in farmers or consumers who are HIV-positive.

Prof Mvumbi last week said organic production was also important for addressing the problem of food security as natural pesticides are proving more effective than conventional ones, given scientifically standardised application.

“Farmers complain that conventional pesticides are no longer working and they have also been observed to cause health complications,” he said.

“The use of organic pesticides is also environment-friendly unlike conventional pesticides which pose a danger to non-target organisms, thereby depleting biodiversity.”

Biodiversity stands imperilled by the use of synthetic pesticides but concerns seem to be overshadowed by commercial pressures to maximise yields.

Zimbabwe has the capacity to realise sustained agricultural success by reverting to organic farming since it has a vast range of plants required for the method.

However, while organic production is the case in several pockets of Zimbabwe, best practices are lacking and there are no standard measures.

Options has bent to researching on how optimal value can be tapped from the route and has partnered reputed international universities and organisations for the work.

The knowledge is there among some of our people but there is need for scientific guidance. For example, there is need for sustained exploitation of the herbs. It is also important to guard against adulteration.

It is commonplace to see people peddling all kinds of herbs on the streets, some ascribing supernatural powers to them, thereby declining to reveal their active ingredients.

This is fertile ground for adulteration. In some cases, potentially helpful natural remedies become harmful because they are administered behind this mystic shroud and sometimes by victims of commercial manipulation.

The mystic shroud must be lifted so that the scientifically certified means to enhanced, environment-friendly and healthy production can be encouraged nationally. The input of science into organic farming will also lead to value addition of indigenous knowledge systems.

At the moment, most people are disposed to throwing the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to indigenous knowledge systems because of their attachment to a version of spirituality which is not shared by the majority of Zimbabweans.

Fascinating work in progress includes Chris Gadzirayi of Bindura University of Science Education’s exploration of possibilities for boosting animal health through tannin-containing leaf meal.

However, there is need for scientists to break down the knowledge being generated to a level farmers can readily understand. There is need to refrain from the use of botanical names which fly over farmers’ heads.

Zimbabwean societies have their names for species used in organic farming. These should be adopted into the standardised lexicon to preclude a potentially foreign climate from shrouding science-led organic production.

There is need for documentation of authenticated indigenous practices so that farmers will know standard dosages and active ingredients.

In some cases, herbs presumed to be safe by virtue of being natural can be toxic to livestock.

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