Uganda: Take advantage of biotechnology

Published 2021년 5월 15일

Tridge summary

African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya, are adopting agricultural biotechnology to address crop production issues. Nigeria is set to grow its first genetically modified food crop, Bt cowpea, which is resistant to pod-borer insects, allowing for reduced pesticide use and increased yields. Kenya has started growing GM cotton, which is expected to be high yielding and resistant to the African boll worm, and plans to market it domestically and internationally. Uganda is developing genetically modified cassava resistant to the Cassava Brown Streak Disease, but cannot grow it due to the lack of a Biotechnology and Bio-safety law.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

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 ...

Source: All Africa