BiosafeTrain

The need for information on genetically modified (GM) crops

"I support the use of genetic modified crops, as long as before they are introduced to farmers, everyone has the right information on them so that they can make sound decisions," says a pensive Christine Munduru, a research scientist and postgraduate student at Makerere University. I spoke to her at a recent course on biosafety, held in Nairobi. First I asked her about her motives for coming for the training.

"I need to be well informed when I get to the field and inform policy makers or farmers," she points out. "There is a lot confusion, controversy and additional costs facing cotton growers in Uganda. Cotton is a major cash crop and, to escape the escalating costs of chemical pest control, farmers have been attracted to planting Bt seed, which has in-built pest resistance (in the form of a bacterial gene whose product kills insects) against the cotton bollworm," while talking, she gesticulates animatedly; she is passionate about the topic.

Bt cotton rejected

"Recently, the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), rejected the importation of Bt cotton seeds at a national workshop for stakeholders in biotechnology and bio-safety in Kampala. At this meeting, there was a clear difference of opinion between the UNCST and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO ) representatives," explains.

"The UNCST researcher's greatest fear was that although Bt cotton could fight off most pests (as stressed by NARO), what would happen if the modified crop killed other insects and birds on farms, resulting in an environmental disaster. They argued that the GM crops should be screened before being introduced into the country."

Christine's project

This situation provides the background to Christine's MSc project. Christine is a MSc student in Crop Science from Makerere University and is one of the students that a Danish-funded project, BiosafeTrain supports to specialise in GM biosafety issues. Her project is on the diversity of cotton anthropods in three regions in Uganda.

The BiosafeTrain project

BiosafeTrain is a collaboration between scientists from the University of Nairobi and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in Kenya, Makerere University in Uganda, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark .The BiosafeTrain-project, is a so-called "Enhancement of Research Capacity" (ENRECA) project by DANIDA. The project started in December 2004 and Phase 1 will last until late 2007.

"Our long-term goal is to develop a training platform structure where students and other relevant persons from East African countries can supplement their education with extra degrees or training on GM plant biosafety/ecological risk assessment," explains Christine, visibly proud to be involved.

Biodiversity in cotton fields

Christine works in the three main cotton growing regions: in the North, as well as Eastern and Central Uganda. "I am getting a baseline information on arthropods that exist in cotton fields before the introduction of Bt cotton," she says. "Northern and Eastern Uganda are cotton growing areas but the arthropod diversity and abundance has been reduced. This is a result of the overuse of pesticides. In relation to Bt cotton, if the pesticides reduce the arthropod diversity and abundance in these regions, then there is no need to use Bt cotton" she says. "The primary pest is the boll worm Helicoverpa armigera. Sprays are used to control this pest and intercropping also helps to a certain degree."

Alternatives to pesticides

"Pesticides have damaged the ecosystem as it has been overused. This has led to environmental pollution and reduced diversity and abundance of arthropods. Bt cotton kills primarily the bollworm and this might cause the so-called "secondary pests" to go up and there still remains a need to spray - meaning there will be no change at all. This has already happened in China after 8 years of extensive planting of Bt cotton, so we have to be careful".

"Bt cotton is not a priority as a solution to the bollworm menace in Northern and Eastern Uganda" she affirms. She suggests the use of other methods that are being used and are effective on controlling the bollworm. "The trick is to put about half a liter of molasses in a brightly colored jerrican, with large holes cut into its sides. This is hang on a pole, and it attracts insects ,including the bollworm adults (which are flying moths), because of the smell." This cost -effective method of pest control is mostly used by organic farmers in Uganda, says Christine. "It is cheap and is quite efficient . On a scale of 10 she would gladly give it an 8." And she strongly believes this technology should be adapted more widely.

When asked on the issue of genetically modified crops in Uganda, she has no problem with them so long as the right procedures are taken when using it and people are informed before it is introduced so they may choose either to accept this option or not.

The future

Christine will be the first "graduate" among the BiosafeTrain-supported students. She expects to submit her Thesis early in the new year. After finishing her Master's programme, Christine intends to get a job where she can weigh up the pros and cons on biosafety. Later she would like to do a PhD on the safety aspects, especially on health and ecology of GM crops.

Has she benefited from the BiosafeTrain course held in Nairobi? "I am more enlightened on matters related to ( GMOs) genetically modified crops and I can confidently and comfortably argue my case when it comes to GMO's," she says.

Christine is married and has two boys. She believes genetically modified crops will be helpful for them once discrepancies are cleared and if they are handled well.

By Joy Owango, November 2006.