Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
The National Biotechnology of Authority of Zimbabwe and its partners have launched a new drive to promote biotechnology which scientists firmly believe has a huge potential to promote job growth and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s agricultural sector.
The authority’s chief executive, Dr Jonathan Mufandaedza, said the first biotechnology outreach programme is aimed at providing support to policy and regulation development as well as promoting the building of scientific capacity and private sector enthusiasm for agricultural biotechnology in Zimbabwe.
The first outreach event, which was held under the theme “Biotechnology: International Trends and Implications for the Future of Agriculture”, drew participants from universities, independent research institutions, agro-processing firms, Government, NGOS as well as funding partners.
“It’s important for us as scientific researchers to engage in some dialogue with the people and Government to help create understanding of biotechnology issues and allay fears,” said Idah Sithole-Niang, a Professor of Molecular Biology and Virology at the University of Zimbabwe.
“We are holding a series of events to engage with the public in way that is mutual and promotes better understanding of the technology as an important tool to improve food security in the country.”
Scientists define biotechnology as any set of techniques that uses living organisms to make goods and services to meet human needs.
Scientists and other stakeholders who attended the outreach event felt strongly that there was need to clear the path for innovation and ingenuity and unleash the tremendous promise of biotechnology to help solve many of the biggest challenges facing Zimbabwe today.
They said biotechnology, despite resistance and fears, had the potential to lead to the development of new drugs and diagnostics for improved human health, higher-yielding food crops, biofuels to reduce dependency on oil and bio-based chemical intermediates.
“We need to promote public understanding and participation in biotechnology issues and its responsible use,” said Faith Muvhunzi of the NBA.
“Zimbabwe has not started production of GM varieties. The future is biotech and we need to tap the benefits that come with biotechnology. Together we can make biotechnology a household name.”
She said Zimbabwe had the capacity to do both quantitative and qualitative analysis of GM maize testing as the country now had a body to handle biosafety issues that aim to maintain safe conditions to prevent harm to workers and consumers.
Muvhunzi and other scientists at the event said the Government recognised the importance of biotechnology and that promoting such technologies was consistent with many of country’s science and technology goals including supporting biotechnology research to find solutions to many pressing problems facing smallholder farmers in the country.
They called for the reducing of regulatory barriers for biotech products and emerging technologies, improving co-ordination across government agencies and supporting the uptake of agricultural biotechnologies that had been developed and are proving useful in improving yields for smallholder farmers.
They said biotechnology had the potential to increase yields per hectare and boost national food output if supported adequately.
Pro-biotechnology scientists said there was need to reduce red tape, paperwork and unnecessary delays to help the biotech sector to expand its role as an engine for agricultural growth and help enhance the country’s food security.
“Agricultural biotechnology can play a big role in virus elimination in crops,” said Dr Fiona Robertson, a research specialist with AgriBiotech, an independent seed and crop development firm in Harare.
“Sweet potatoes using conventional breeding methods among smallholder farmers only yield 6 tonnes per hectare, but if you remove the virus using biotechnology you can have a yield of 45 tonnes per hectare on smallholder plots and 60 tonnes per hectare on commercial farms.”
She said the genetic modification of sweet potatoes, cassava and other crops could help fight crop pests and diseases and reduce losses for farmers.
“Biotechnology can have a huge impact on Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector,” she said. “We need a paradigm shift on this. We need Government support and equipment to boost yields for farmers.
“Lack of finance is hampering research. No GM crops will be grown in the country until the Ministry of Agriculture changes its stance. We need low-tech biotechnology to support virus elimination and improve yields for farmers.”
Said Prof Sithole-Niang: “We are not in the business of farming for pests but for food and nutrition. Insects and viruses can be eliminated by low tech biotechnology. This country must invest in that GM technology.”
“Zimbabwe needs to move with what’s happening elsewhere. The choice has to be given to farmers,” Dr Dahlia Garwe, a biochemist and acting general manager of Tobacco Research Board.
“Farmers want the technology. It’s about profit and farmers want to get more at least cost. People are ready to accept this technology and what they want is assurance that it will help them improve yields and incomes.”
Kenneth Odero, a policy analyst, said there was need to raise awareness and simplify biotechnology issues to both the public and lawmakers to clear the path for biotechnology development.
“There is still uncertainty and lack of clarity on biotechnology issues in Zimbabwe and most parts of Africa,” he said.