GMOs, whither Zimbabwe?

Phyllis Kachere

Deputy News Editor-Convergence

Six months after biotechnology experts from the African Union visited Zimbabwe to assess the
country’s National Biotechnology Authority’s (NBA) biosafety needs and make a case for the
adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), whither Zimbabwe?

During their visit, biotechnology experts from the African AUDA-NEPAD/ABNE (African Union
Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development/ African Biosafety Network of
Expertise), the NBA was tasked with organising a consultative and sensitisation workshop to bring
together policy makers and stakeholders.

A few weeks later in October last year, the NBA convened a workshop whose participants included
legislators drawn from parliamentary portfolio committees for Higher and Tertiary Education,
Science and Technology Development; Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement;
Health and Child Care and Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and officials from their
respective ministries.

Other participants included members of various parastatals, educational and research institutions,
trade unions, seed houses, and delegates from AUDA-NEPAD/ABNE

The purpose of the workshop, as highlighted by NBA’s board chair Professor Florence
Mutambanengwe was to raise awareness and provide knowledge amongst top government officials
on modern biotechnology.

She said the workshop had top government officials so that the experts could share knowledge and
collaborate in exploring ways to commercialise products of this biotechnology, its products and
application and also to provide insight on the adoption of GMOs in Africa, and potentially Zimbabwe.

The NBA is the country’s authority for all biotechnology, biosafety and biosecurity matters and it has
the responsibility to assess the biosafety framework of Zimbabwe in a bid to satisfy national
legislation and the agreement on biosafety i.e. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the
Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).

In the October workshop, Dr Silas Obukosia, the business manager for AUDA-NEPAD/ABNE said that
Zimbabwe was actually one of the pioneers of biotechnology in Africa, alongside South Africa and
Egypt.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary Professor
Fanuel Tagwira, officially opened the workshop highlighting that discussions would centre on new
and emerging techniques of biotechnology.

Prof Tagwira spoke of the numerous debates surrounding genetic modification (GM) and made
profound comments that lack of knowledge is what is causing the dilemma in decision making in the
adoption of these biotechnologies.

He encouraged scientists to provide clear knowledge and awareness for the decision and policy
makers.

He expressed the desires of President Emmerson Mnangagwa for Zimbabwe to benefit from science
and technology, and the inclusion of biotechnology research projects in the 2020 budget.
After the 0ctober 2019 sensitisation workshop, where scientists provided the clarity and shared
information on new biotechnologies, what has been the progress towards the possible adoption or
rejection of GMOs?

Acting chief executive of the NBA Dr Dexter Savadye said while Zimbabwe has been cautious in the
adoption of GMOs, after the October workshop, the consensus was that trials should be conducted
for genetic engineering on cotton.

“The manipulation of living organisms has characterised agriculture development. Genetic

engineering creates genetically modified organisms and successful application has been made in
agriculture and medicine.

“The insulin that is used in the treatment and control of diabetes is GMO and there have not been
resistance over its use. One would expect the same reaction when it comes to genetically modified
food, seeing that Zimbabwe is in the throes of debilitating drought that has made the country food
insecure,” said Dr Savadye.

We continue to be cautious in the adoption of growing genetically modified food. But the policy has
made exceptions to the importation of genetically modified maize from South Africa