A continental seed body on Friday supported the coexistence of genetically modified (GMO) seeds and conventional ones.
The Secretary General of African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Justin Rakotoarisaona said farmers stand to benefit greatly once they embrace modern agricultural tools.
“The use of improved GMO seeds is poised to make inroads into African agriculture in the near future, hence the need to address co-existence of biotech and conventional crops,” Rakotoarisaona told Xinhua during an interview on Friday.
He noted the arrangement should incorporate good agricultural practices by ensuring that standardized measures are followed.
Agriculture is Africa’s principle economic income generating activity, and the application of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, pesticides and fertilizers continues to grow across the continent.
However access to quality seeds is still a challenge to many farmers due to high cost of seeds and climatic differences.
In some countries, accessing quality seeds is stifled by inadequate supply, in others it is inhibited by unwillingness to buy seeds, as many farmers still rely on farm-saved seeds.
“African farmer’s uptake of new varieties stands at about 25 percent because of lack of knowledge of what the varieties can do in an environment littered with poor perception about breeder seeds,” he noted. Read more