Michael Bosli displays the potato seedlings developed from rooted apical cuttings. Although this process does not involve genetic modification, GMO potatoes exist. Genetically modified potatoes possess several traits that include increased pest resistance, reduced post-harvest losses due to bruising and browning, and altered starch content. PHOTO/GEORGE KATONGOLE.
There's no turning back on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Plenty of GMO food probably already makes it onto your plate, and the scientific consensus is that it's safe to eat.
Uganda has been actively researching GMOs, particularly focusing on crops such as rice, cassava, potatoes and maize. The goal is to develop strains with traits like increased yield, pest resistance, and drought tolerance.
According to scientists, GMOs could offer significant advantages to the agriculture sector such as improved food security and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
Should we be concerned?
One major concern about GMOs is their potential impact on human health. Anti-GMO campaigners worry that introducing new proteins into the food supply could trigger allergic reactions.
Environmental concerns also surround GMOs. One significant worry is the potential for gene flow from GMO crops to wild relatives, creating "superweeds" resistant to herbicides. This could have detrimental effects on biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems.
Farmer tales
Timothy Njakasi of Kasenge Riverford Organic Centre in Mukono District says GMOs will not be resisted for long.
He hints on the increasing need for food security as a big push factor.
Global population growth and climate change pose significant challenges to food production. The global population is currently growing at a rate of about 0.87 percent per year, adding around 71 million people annually.
Proponents say GMOs offer potential solutions for increased crop yields, pest resistance and drought tolerance.
Kasenge Riverford is a strong advocate for organic farming.
Njakasi’s farm prioritises organic farming practices, which rely on natural processes and biodiversity to maintain soil health, control pests and improve crop yields.
Richard Mugisha, the proprietor of Jero Farms, an organic farm in Entebbe, emphasises that agroecology is both cost-effective and sustainable.
"Agroecology is cheap and sustainable for most farmers. It helps maintain soil health while giving consumers healthy food," Mugisha says.
Seed control
Obviously the fight for and against GMOs goes down to the control of seed systems. The advocacy group Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) – Uganda advocates for the preservation and promotion of local seeds. They argue that these seeds are crucial in ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation and farmer autonomy.
SEATINI Uganda Executive Director, Jane Seruwagi Nalunga says local seeds are well-adapted to local agro-ecological conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and pests.
“Moreover, they contribute to genetic diversity, which is essential for long-term food security and adaptation to changing environments,” she says.
Agroecology
Anti GMO campaigners have put emphasis on agroecology as the best alternative to food production.
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) is a strong advocate for agroecology. They reiterate that GMOs are part of a corporate-driven, industrial agricultural model that undermines food sovereignty and small-scale farming.
AFSA argues that GMOs promote dependency on corporate seed and chemical inputs, leading to increased costs, environmental damage and loss of biodiversity. Instead, AFSA promotes agroecological approaches as a sustainable and equitable solution to food security and climate change.
Agroecology promotes practices such as crop rotation, composting and natural pest control. AFSA emphasises the importance of agroforestry, which involves integrating trees into farming systems to improve soil health, provide shade and diversify income sources.
AFSA's stance is rooted in the belief that small-scale farmers and local communities should have control over their food systems. Charles Mulozi Olweny, the advocacy and campaign coordinator at AFSA, says authenticity of African food starts with the way it is produced.
“If you control seed, you control food; you control life. Therefore, they want to control food and seed systems by purporting wrong narratives,” Mulozi says.
Farmers in Uganda, like many other parts of the world, have increasingly lost control over their seed systems due to a variety of factors. One major factor is the introduction of strong Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws, particularly Plant Variety Protection (PVP). These laws have given corporations control over seed varieties, limiting farmers' rights to save, use, exchange and sell seeds. This forces farmers to rely on certified seeds from corporations.
Food markets
The market is the grand stage where the food story unfolds. In order to promote healthy food environments and ensure access to healthy diets, and nutritious and diversified food, the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (Pelum) Uganda highlight the importance of territorial markets.
Territorial markets are vital hubs for the exchange of agricultural products, connecting farmers, traders and consumers.
Hadija Nalule, the Agricultural Market and Business Development Programme Officer at Pelum Uganda says that increasing awareness of consumers to eat healthy food that is agro-ecologically produced, can come to life when markets are well established to meet the supply.
Territorial markets are crucial sales outlets for local producers, particularly in Africa's food sector where 80 percent of domestic food supplies are procured through markets primarily composed of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Food markets provide valuable opportunities for small-scale farmers. They offer a platform to sell their products directly, increasing their income and ensuring a fair return for their labour," she says.
Nalule argues that GMO labeling is crucial for consumer rights, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their food choices, just as they do with ingredient and nutrition information. However, GMO labeling presents challenges due to a flexible approach that employs various methods such as text-based labels, symbols, or QR codes. This diversity can confuse consumers and hinder their ability to identify GMO products.
While GMO labeling remains a complex issue, many Ugandan consumers are inadvertently consuming genetically modified food, particularly with the increasing availability of GMO products from neighbouring countries such as Kenya who approved GMO use in 2022.
IPR
One major factor is the introduction of strong Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws, particularly Plant Variety Protection (PVP). These laws have given corporations control over seed varieties, limiting farmers’ rights to save, use, exchange and sell seeds.
