Enabling factors for an innovation–ready agricultural landscape in African countries

Abstract

Food security is a pressing issue on the African continent and, in view of projected population growth, the problem is likely to worsen unless addressed immediately (Godfray et al., 2010). Although no single strategy will provide the full solution, genetically modified (GM) crops are widely considered an important tool to increase agricultural productivity. Despite an 80-fold increase globally in planted hectares between 1996 and 2009, only three African nations have fully operational procedures for the adoption of GM crops to early 2012. They are South Africa (with 2.1 million hectares of GM crops), Burkina Faso (0.2 million ha) and Egypt (0.1 million ha). In February 2009 a Biosafety Bill was signed by Kenya opening the way towards the commercialisation and release of GM crops. Ghana took a similar step in December 2011 signalling the interest that exists among several African nations in the legislative and regulatory requirements for the introduction of GM crops. Criticism and controversy still surround the use of GM crops. Concerns recur about human safety, environmental risks and fears of smallholder exploitation by multinational GM seed manufacturers. In addition, severe underfunding of agricultural research in sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations, slow and problematic privatisation of seed distribution sectors, weak agricultural extension services and a lack of infrastructure and credit facilities can hinder the adoption of the technology.