Climate change, Local Seeds and Genetically Modified (GM) seed – what is the best alternative to sustainable food security in Africa
Tue, 21/02/2012 - 06:42
Comments
Climate change and food security
We need not get into an either or affair in examining the merits of traditional seeds versus GMOs. Either category has to be considered on merit. There is solid evidence to show that some traditional seeds have demonstrated considerable resilience amidst climate vulnerability and change, let alone responses to threats by pests and diseases. Follow the following link to get an insight from Ethiopia:http://web.idrc.ca/es/ev-5538-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
While some of the GMOs have demonstrated salutary productivity performance amidst adverse water and temperature conditions, their downsides in terms of known or uncertain health and environmental drawbacks make them unattractive. Rigorous assessments of the relative performance of given GMOs against certain health and environmental standards is the way to go. Where uncertainties about, the precautionary principle should prevail.
Climate change and food security
This study - carried out over the past three years at the University of Kansas in the US grain belt - has found that GM soya produces about 10 per cent less food than its conventional equivalent, contradicting assertions by advocates of the technology that it increases yields. Click on the link to read the study http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/exposed-the-great-...
FAO provides discussion forum on GMOs and other biotechnologies
It is widely known that the success of cultivation of a specific crop depends on many factors, such as the agro-ecological environment, and technologies by meaning the way the crop is cultivated. Of course also the knowledge of producers - traditional and new knowledge- stresses on crops caused by pests, diseases, climate, the quality of seed are important as well as the characteristics of the varieties – be it local varieties, improved varieties, and those varieties developed with GM technologies.
A number of studies have been done over the last year to better understand which benefits biotechnologies can bring to small producers. This is why I would like to share with you some information from a e-conference on successes and failures of agricultural biotechnologies – GM crops one type of them.
In 2009, FAO organized an e-conference on "Learning from the past: Successes and failures with agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries over the last 20 years" and the summary of the conference is available on http://www.fao.org/biotech/logs/C16/summary.htm.
There is one chapter (chapter 2.1) on crop biotechnologies and genetic modifications exchanging various experiences and studies on economic benefit of GM crops in developing countries.
Let me cite only one contribution of the conference : Falck-Zepeda presented the results from a set of case studies that he and his colleagues from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) had carried out, examining the impact on farmers of the adoption of insect resistant maize in Honduras and the Philippines; insect resistant cotton in Colombia; and herbicide tolerant soybeans in Bolivia.
Results showed that the impact of adopting genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in developing countries had been "overall positive, but it masks significant outcome variability between countries, regions, households, crops and traits. Furthermore, we have seen that the level of economic benefits tend to be more dependent on the institutional context than on the technology itself. In essence, issues such as access to credit and complimentary inputs, availability of knowledge and information flows about using the technology and about markets; are critical for determining the level of benefits".
For more information please read the summary of the conference.
I hope the information and the expertise shared in this conference, can enrich the important discussion you are currently having in the exchange group.
Best,
Andrea
Application of biotechnologies in food and agricultural sectors
In addition to Andrea’s contribution, please let me share with you some more information and weblinks I consider relevant in response of Bruce's question 2:
In 2010, FAO together with partner organization and the Government of Mexico organized an International Technical Conference which specifically looked at the application of biotechnologies across the different food and agricultural sectors in developing countries. The aim of this conference was to learn from the past and to identify options for the future to face the challenges of food insecurity, climate change and natural resource degradation (you will find the Conference Proceedings: “Biotechnologies for Agricultural Development” here: http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2300e/i2300e00.htm).
The full conference proceedings have 600 pages, and I tried to captured some information I consider relevant to Bruce’s question 2:
Some of the key conclusions of the conference
- highlighted the application of the wide range of biotechnologies in crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and agro-industries to help alleviate hunger and poverty, to assist in adaptation to climate change and to maintain the natural resource base, in both developing and developed countries;
- noted that the various applications of agricultural biotechnologies have not been widely used in many developing countries, and have not sufficiently benefited smallholder farmers and producers and consumers, and that more research and development of agricultural biotechnologies should be focused on the needs of smallholder farmers and producers;
- but also emphasized the need to empower and include the public in decision making processes on the development and use of biotechnologies;
- and stated the need to have science-based regulatory frameworks in place
The need to focus on farmers needs, and to empower and involve smallholder farmers and producers in decision making processes in developing and using biotechnologies was discussed in more details in a special discussion session during the conference with representatives of producer organizations that focused on the role of small producers (fishers and farmers) (see: http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2300e/i2300e02.pdf, page 22-23).
Members of this session identified as gaps, that research and development, (research and development of biotechnologies is a part of this) does not sufficiently addresses small farmers’ needs, there is a lack of public investment in research and development, a lack of opportunities and mechanisms for farmers to participate in research and development priority-setting, and lack of recognition of farmers’ knowledge and needs by researchers and policy-makers.
The group of the session requested for example that national governments should develop policies and establish mechanisms to involve farmers in setting priorities for research and development, to empower farmers with knowledge and information enabling them to prioritize their needs and to communicate them to decision-makers, for developing research and development programmes, traditional knowledge and culture should be taken into consideration.
If you wish to have more details on what is reported on using seed of genetically modified crops, please see the Conference Proceedings, specifically Chapter 1: Current Status and Options for Crop Biotechnologies in Developing Countries, page 2-61, http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2300e/i2300e.pdf.
Chapter 1.4 provides an “Analysis of Experiences with Biotechnologies in Developing Countries over the past 20 Years” (page 25-31), and chapter 1.5 a case study on “Growing Bt cotton in India” as an example of growing crops from genetically modified cotton seed (page 35-37). Reference is also made to experiences made with Bt cotton in China and genetically modified maize in South Africa.
The chapter 1.7 on “Key Unsolved Problems where Biotechnologies Can Help (page 43-56)” discusses where biotechnologies could help to address some of the key problems such as pest and disease control, salt and drought tolerance, crop yield and quality, and sustainability and environmental impact of production. To make this happen investments in capacity development of research and development in developing countries are needed. While crop biotechnologies (both using genetically modified and non-genetically modified organisms) will provide new options to tackle problems, they alone will not be sufficient to address complex questions such as food security, but depend on many other factors for example on extension, educational and advisory services for farmers, seed production systems to mention only a few of direct relevance to adoption of technologies by farmers.
For more information on FAO's activities related to the development and use of biotechnologies in food and agriculture, please see: http://www.fao.org/biotech/en/.
Importance of local seed and improved seed
Let me share with you also information related to Bruce's question 1. The FAO publication “Save and Grow. A policymaker’s guide to the sustainable intensification of smallholder crop production” also deals with Crops and Varieties, highlighting the importance of farmer-saved seed, improved crop varieties and local seed companies for future farming:
“Farmers will need a genetically diverse portfolio of improved crop varieties that are suited to a range of agro-ecosystems and farming practices, and resilient to climate change. Genetically improved cereal varieties accounted for some 50 percent of the increase in yields over the past few decades. Plant breeders must achieve similar results in the future. However, timely delivery to farmers of high-yielding varieties requires big improvements in the system that connects plant germplasm collections, plant breeding and seed delivery. Over the past century, about 75 percent of plant genetic resources (PGR) has been lost and a third of today’s diversity could disappear by 2050. Increased support to PGR collection, conservation and utilization is crucial. Funding is also needed to revitalize public plant breeding programmes. Policies should help to link formal and farmer-saved seed systems, and foster the emergence of local seed enterprises”.
The related policy brief on crops and varieties you will find here: http://www.fao.org/ag/save-and-grow/pdfs/factsheets/en/SG-crops.pdf. The full publication here: http://www.fao.org/ag/save-and-grow/index_en.html
Climate change and food Security
Thanks to all of you who shared and responded positively. Mr David Nanfumba, as a seed specialist, I hoped to receive your views on this topic. Am certain that we can wrap up with both your scientific and field experience. Thank you
Climate change and variability is a challenge to Africa’s food security, affecting both the quantity and quality of agricultural production.
Increasing voices are questioning whether local seeds, the yardstick of farmers' agro economic sovereignty and yet severely affected by the adverse effects of climate change, are still enough to secure food security amongst African households.
Advocates of local seeds point out these seeds have certain hardiness and are of socio-cultural value for farmers. They also are a source of income and an indicator of food sovereignty, with the dual function of satisfying household food requirements and providing a stock of seeds for replanting.
In contrast, other voices are advocating for Genetically Modified (GM) seed, scientifically designed to withstand environmental hazards. However, GM seeds, long promoted at the international level and strongly encouraged in sub-Saharan Africa, has its limitations. According to advocates of local seeds, GM seeds are more water demanding and require large amounts of chemical fertilizers, pollute groundwater, weaken soils, degrade biodiversity and affect human health. Furthermore, they deem these products sterile and protected by intellectual property rights, so much so that farmers who use them will undoubtedly become dependent on their seed suppliers.
Climate events that we are currently facing oblige us to think about alternatives to creating conditions for sustainable food security in Africa. Share your reflections, on two key questions:
1. What strategies should be adopted to ensure the availability and a sustainable use of local seeds in the face of climate change and variability?
2. Are GM seeds in Africa an opportunity to combat the effects of climate change, or a threat to producers and Africa’s economy?
Please support your views with case studies on the use of local or GM seeds by communities in Africa.