Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, a Senior Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has called for the approval of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) Biotechnology cowpea (Bt cowpea) and subsequent release of same to farmers.
According to the Senior Research Scientist, confined field trials on the cowpea which has over eleven years been going on in the country, should no longer be delayed as the cowpea has proven resistance to insects and pests.
Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw acknowledged that even though authorities could not jump the gun but follow due processes, undue delay could cause regulatory costs that encompass payments of researchers and staff, logistics and security services at the trial fields which he stressed were unnecessary.
Dr Ampadu-Ameyaw made the call during a field trip with some stakeholders and some farmers undergoing a three day training on understanding the Role of Genetic Modified Organisms(GMOs) in agricultural production, organized by the Alliance for Science (AfS)– a network for scientists, farmers, academics and communicators, in Partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA), the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology(OFAB), the Ghana Agricultural and rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA) and CSIR.
The thirty participants who came from the Regions of the North and the southern part of the country include media practitioners, reporters, editors, radio presenters who report on agriculture, environment and other topical issues.
Satisfied With Work on the GMO Cowpea
Dr Ampadu Ameyaw stated that he is satisfied with work on the GMO cowpea which has proven resistance to insects and pests and had better yields.
Mr Karimu Nindoo, a farmer from Kpalsuo near Nyankpala admitted that though they did not have the ‘bt cowpea’ seeds, they had seen the trials carried out at the Nyanpkapala campus.
“It seemed promising because cost of production was expected to be less than the local and other varieties they were currently cultivating.”
Mr Karimu Nindoo
Mr Issifu Abukari, also a farmer, appealed to government to release the crop and stressed that with the prospects shown on the field trials, it would attract more youth into agriculture considering the importance of beans as protein source for many families.
In the intervening time, Genetically Modified (GM) cowpea has cleared the first of the three regulatory hurdles in the way of commercialisation in the country. If it is commercialised, it will be the first GM crop grown in the country which is a major milestone.
Biotechnology proponents have been working for decades to integrate GM crops into Ghana’s development agenda.
Cowpea– a black-eyed pea in some parts of the world is a major source of protein in Ghana and the rest of the sub-continent. It is integral to Ghana’s food security. It is a staple, especially in the northern part of Ghana, where it is second only to groundnut in terms of area cultivated. Ghana is the fifth largest producer of cowpea in Africa.
While cowpea production is essential for Ghana, farmers face many challenges, including an array of pests. The GM cowpea has been genetically engineered to resist the the Maruca pod borer. The hope is that this resistance will help decrease the amount of insecticide farmers have been using to control pests and increase yields. Insecticides are known to be deleterious to human health, but their use is on the rise throughout Africa.
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