GMO to address Malawi’s insufficient agriculture production

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Agriculture biotechnology is said to be transformative solutions to the country’s food crisis through Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops including cotton production

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Senior Manager Francis Nang’ayo said this in an interview with Maravi Post on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Nang’ayo said GM cotton produce yields almost double and others triple the adoption of new varieties with over 95 percent.

He said the case of GM cotton has demonstrated potential benefits to farmers and the country needs to embrace agriculture biotechnology.

“Malawi can unlock the potential of agricultural biotechnology and pave the way for food and nutrition security,” said Nang’ayo.

In his remarks, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) Program Officer, Verenardo Meeme said if Malawi and other countries can adapt to the biotechnology system, the government can do better as well as there is a need for crop diversification.

Meeme said the government has a role in creating an enabling environment by introducing maize that does not need much water.

He added that in the last 30 years, African countries have made various endeavors to develop National Bio-safety frameworks.

AATF was established to make partnerships with existing institutions to adapt agricultural technology for use by farmers in Africa.