GMOs in Africa: opportunities and challenges in South Africa

Abstract

Genetically modified organisms are expected to have a large impact on the ability of humanity to feed, fuel and heal itself in light of the growing global change, and adverse geo-climatic conditions anticipated as a result of climate change. GMOs have already demonstrated potential in enhancing food production, with additional benefits in quality of crops and environmental aspects. South Africa is one of the few developing countries that have joined an increasing number of countries that have commercialised GM crops. With South Africa being an early adopter of GM technology, the economic benefits for some of the crop technologies can be readily demonstrated, particularly in commercial crop production. Seventy five percent of agricultural output comes from the highly organised commercial sector, and small scale farmers contribute the rest. Malnutrition and food insecurity remain an issue in this seemingly prosperous economy. In this paper we examine the progress made in the adoption of GMO crops, the potential of the technology to meet the millennium targets of food security and poverty alleviation, and the hurdles that this technology faces in South Africa.