NEWS:

7 Mar, 2016


Dr Kwapata and his team at the trial site
A researcher from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Dr Kingdom Kwapata has started trials on genetically modified (GM) cowpea also known as biotechnology (BT) cowpea , a second GM crop to be researched by the institution.


The process of genetic modification involves inserting a gene from bacteria or a virus (or a gene that helps plants survive the application of highly toxic pesticides) into an organism where it would normally not be found. The purpose is to alter the genetic code in plants and animals to make them more productive or resistant to pests or farming techniques, like being doused with chemicals that would ordinarily kill them.

According to Dr Kwapata cowpea is one of the crops which are on demand in many African countries however its production rate in the country leaves a lot to be desired hence BT cowpea can only be a solution to increase the production.

“Yields that farmers are getting in the country are very low. Currently the production is at 700 kg per hectare which is far below the potential of the crop,” said Dr Kwapata.

He said growing GM cowpea can increase production up to 3000 kg per hectare which is not very far from countries like UK which is producing 4000 kg per hectare.


He say the potential of BT cowpea cannot be underestimated as it can become one of competitive crops for the country’s export.


“Nigeria alone requires 30 million metric tonnes per year and this poses as a potential market as the country has already adopted BT cowpea,” said Dr Kwapata.


He said although the government has given license to conduct research on genetically modified crops like cotton and cowpea, it has not embraced commercialization of these crops and there is hope that it will do in future.


Dr Kwapata further said he decided to do research on cowpea because it is drought tolerant hence the need to promote such kind of crops which are resilient to climate change effects.


He said his trial is meant to produce a crop that is resistant to pests and has taken genes from different organisms which are not cowpeas; specifically genes from a bacterium which causes insects to be repelled and that if the insects eat the cowpea they die.


Being asked on safety for human consumption of the crop Dr Kwapata confirmed that the BT cow pea is safe for humans.


“Biological mechanism of human is different from that of insect. There are certain things which humans can eat but insects cannot and visa versa. In this case the toxins of the protein this bacteria produces is lethal to insects but not to human beings,” said Kwapata.


Dr Kwapata however acknowledged the controversy around genetically modified crops saying there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this issue.


“Transgenic crops has always been a threat to governments and consumers. Another fear is that the GM crops could poison the soil and this is not true,” said Kwapata.



He said together with organisations such as PBS has organized meetings with different kinds of people such as journalists, politicians, communities, farmers and others just to give the scientific awareness for merits and demerits of GM crops.


Some Africans countries such as South Africa, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Sudan have already adopted GM crops.


Written By: Patricia Nkhoma Ngwale