The introduction of a law, last October, could solve many problem for the farmers of Uganda. After five years of deadlock, parliament passed the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, paving the way for the cultivation of genetically modified crops in Uganda.
A report by The Guardian tells of trials for a GM banana variety which is resistant to wilt and contains vitamin A. The trials have been ongoing since 2004, in an effort to improve production. The new law will mean that this crop can be released to the public. Egypt, Sudan and South Africa have already allowed GM crop cultivation in Africa.
But not everyone is happy. At a meeting in Kampala in August, agriculture experts concluded that Uganda was not ready for GM crops. Lilian Anguparu, general manager of Amfri Farms Limited, said: “Trying out a system whose aftermath we even do not know is something very risky. In my view, GMOs are not the right way to go.”
