Exploring the potentials of genetically modified organisms for achieving food security and sustainable agriculture: The dilemma of African countries

Abstract

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which often carry genes from bacteria or virus, have started taking root in Africa. Since the advent of this technology, arguments have been raging between the proponents of GMOs, who believe it has a lot of benefits and can lead to food security in the developing world, and the opponents who are against it. Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent on earth with a projected population of about 2.4 billion by 2050. Certainly, the continent needs to find ways to increase food production in order to solve the problems of food shortage, malnutrition and poverty. Even though agriculture is the most economically important activity providing employment for about two-thirds of the continent’s population, it remains at subsistence level with serious challenges, ranging from lack of sophisticated farming tools to insufficient or high cost of fertilizer, inadequate improved seeds, poor soils and poor irrigation facilities, postharvest losses, diseases and pests. The countries have been experimenting with different agricultural programmes and policies, which have not made significant impact on sustainable agricultural development. Can GMOs provide a solution for Africa? This paper explores the potentials of GMOs in achieving food security, the dilemma and implications for Africa.