A genetically engineered sweet banana variety that has proven resistant to pests and diseases could soon be introduced to Uganda. It is hoped the technology will improve the quality of an important food and cash crop whose production has declined due to diseases, especially the banana wilt disease.
The disease is currently ravaging the country and spreading to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. It is highly destructive, wiping out at least 90 per cent of the fruit on the trees it affects. When it affects a tree, it becomes poisonous to both humans and animals. Scientists say the commonest way the disease spreads is through bees, which pick up pollen from one banana and transport it to another.
The genetically engineered banana was developed by Geoffrey Arinaitwe, a Ugandan scientist based in Belgium who has now applied to the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) for a permit to import it to Uganda. The Council has already cleared it for field testing.
The banana type will be taken to the Kawanda Research Institute (KARI), which has just completed construction of a greenhouse to field test bananas for resistance to bacterial wilt and black sigatoka fungal disease, said Andrew Kiggundu, a plant biotechnologist at the institute. He said more crops have been earmarked for testing before the end of this year at Namulonge Research Institute and the National Agricultural Research Organisation. Other crops slated for field testing at KARI are GM cassava which is resistant to the mosaic virus, sweet potatoes rich in Vitamin A and Bt cotton. "The varieties we have developed have increased resistance to pests, are nutritious and fast growing," said Mr Kiggundu.
"This innovation (the GM banana) will pave the way for research on other varieties to make them resistant to diseases," said Arthur Makara, the bio safety desk officer at UNCST.
But scientists have warned that the GM crops may not reach farmers any time soon as the country has no legal framework to enable their distribution."We have new technology but we are being left behind because there is no policy in place," said Dr Charles Mugoya of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASERECA). "The GM crops will increase farm incomes and minimize environmental impact as there is pesticide reduction. We need technology to drive our food production," he said.
The government is in the process of putting in place an enabling law to allow the distribution of the GM bananas. The National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy, which will guide the activities and distribution of GMO resources, is awaiting approval by parliament.
"We in parliament will do everything possible to ensure that the biotechnology policy is approved and the bio safety bill enacted into law," said John Arimpa, vice chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources.
source : Daily Nation
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