Scientists fence off land for GM maize trial
Dec 16, 2009
SCIENTISTS at the National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, have fenced off six hectares of land in Kasese district to conduct research on genetically modified maize.
By Ronald Kalyango
SCIENTISTS at the National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, have fenced off six hectares of land in Kasese district to conduct research on genetically modified maize.
The site, located at Mubuku irrigation scheme, will be used for testing drought-tolerant maize.
A team of six scientists will be responsible for developing the drought-tolerant maize germplasm. They are Dr. Godfrey Asea, Jimmy Lamo, Michael Otim, Julius Sserumaga, Stephen Ocen and Solomon Kaboyo. Next month, the team plans to start with the planting of the conventional maize under a mock trial.
According to Asea, the head of the cereals programme at Namulonge, confined field trials are small, restricted experimental trials that are required before regulatory approval of genetically modified crops is given.
Mock trials simulate the steps that will be carried out when the actual confined field trials begin.
The experiments serve as a training tool to give researchers important information on management of the experimental crop before the actual crop is planted. Asea said when they get the importation permit from the crop protection department at the agriculture ministry early next year, they will proceed to import the seeds and plant them.
All these activities are conducted under a $47m (about sh80b) project, known as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA). “WEMA was formed in response to a growing call by African farmers, leaders and scientists to address the devastating effects of drought on small-scale farmers,†said Asea. Frequent droughts lead to crop failure, hunger and poverty, he added.
The project, which is being coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates and the Howard Buffet foundations. It is also being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.
Other organisations taking part include the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and Monsanto. National agricultural research institutes in the respective countries are supposed to spearhead the research. Asea added that local institutions will expand their capacity and experience in crop breeding, biotechnology and bio-safety.
Dr. Emily Twinamasiko, the deputy director-general of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), said the project “will promote food security in Africa.â€
She said the benefits and safety of the maize varieties will be assessed by national authorities according to the regulatory requirements of each country.
The first conventional varieties developed by WEMA will be available after six to seven years, while the transgenic drought-resistant maize hybrids will be available in about 10 years.
The partners estimate that the new variety will increase yields by 20 to 35% under moderate drought.
The increase would translate into about two million metric tonnes of food during drought years in the participating countries. Crop failure from drought is one of the primary reasons why small-scale farmers in Africa do not adopt improved farming practices. A more reliable harvest could give farmers the confidence to improve their techniques. Asea said after the field trials in Kasese, similar trials in the second phase will be conducted in Ssembabule, Bulisa, Nakasongola and Abim districts.
Dr. Theresa Sengooba, head of programme, biosafety systems in Uganda said, “A more reliable harvest could give farmers the confidence to improve their commerce. Droughts have forced many out of farming.†She said maize is the most widely grown staple crop in Africa with more than 300 million Africans depending on it as their main food source.
SCIENTISTS at the National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, have fenced off six hectares of land in Kasese district to conduct research on genetically modified maize.
The site, located at Mubuku irrigation scheme, will be used for testing drought-tolerant maize.
A team of six scientists will be responsible for developing the drought-tolerant maize germplasm. They are Dr. Godfrey Asea, Jimmy Lamo, Michael Otim, Julius Sserumaga, Stephen Ocen and Solomon Kaboyo. Next month, the team plans to start with the planting of the conventional maize under a mock trial.
According to Asea, the head of the cereals programme at Namulonge, confined field trials are small, restricted experimental trials that are required before regulatory approval of genetically modified crops is given.
Mock trials simulate the steps that will be carried out when the actual confined field trials begin.
The experiments serve as a training tool to give researchers important information on management of the experimental crop before the actual crop is planted. Asea said when they get the importation permit from the crop protection department at the agriculture ministry early next year, they will proceed to import the seeds and plant them.
All these activities are conducted under a $47m (about sh80b) project, known as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA). “WEMA was formed in response to a growing call by African farmers, leaders and scientists to address the devastating effects of drought on small-scale farmers,†said Asea. Frequent droughts lead to crop failure, hunger and poverty, he added.
The project, which is being coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates and the Howard Buffet foundations. It is also being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.
Other organisations taking part include the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and Monsanto. National agricultural research institutes in the respective countries are supposed to spearhead the research. Asea added that local institutions will expand their capacity and experience in crop breeding, biotechnology and bio-safety.
Dr. Emily Twinamasiko, the deputy director-general of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), said the project “will promote food security in Africa.â€
She said the benefits and safety of the maize varieties will be assessed by national authorities according to the regulatory requirements of each country.
The first conventional varieties developed by WEMA will be available after six to seven years, while the transgenic drought-resistant maize hybrids will be available in about 10 years.
The partners estimate that the new variety will increase yields by 20 to 35% under moderate drought.
The increase would translate into about two million metric tonnes of food during drought years in the participating countries. Crop failure from drought is one of the primary reasons why small-scale farmers in Africa do not adopt improved farming practices. A more reliable harvest could give farmers the confidence to improve their techniques. Asea said after the field trials in Kasese, similar trials in the second phase will be conducted in Ssembabule, Bulisa, Nakasongola and Abim districts.
Dr. Theresa Sengooba, head of programme, biosafety systems in Uganda said, “A more reliable harvest could give farmers the confidence to improve their commerce. Droughts have forced many out of farming.†She said maize is the most widely grown staple crop in Africa with more than 300 million Africans depending on it as their main food source.