Uganda: Take advantage of biotechnology

A number of African countries have begun to take advantage of agricultural biotechnology to overcome crop production challenges. The last country reported to have done so is Nigeria where more than 2000 farmers are ready to grow genetically modified cowpea this year, according to the digital publication, Cornell Alliance for Science, dated May 5 2021. "More than 2,000 Nigerian farmers are planning to plant Bt cowpea, the country's first genetically modified food crop, in July," reported the newsletter. "The crop, which was developed by Nigerian scientists, has been genetically modified (GM) to resist the destructive pod-borer insect pest. As a result, farmers will be able to significantly reduce pesticide applications and harvest bigger yields. The crop is also expected to support the nation's economic development and food security while improving farmers' livelihoods." Last month, Kenyan cotton farmers reported a bountiful first harvest of GM cotton just only four months after ...