(3 Minutes Read)
Scientists in Rwanda developed genetically modified banana varieties that are resistant to the deadly disease. The adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops resistant to diseases holds promise in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition. This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against banana Panama Diseases which is rampant.
There is a hopeful outlook regarding the potential use of GM crops now that parliament has passed legislation permitting their cultivation. Genetic modification of crops entails the insertion of DNA into the organism’s genome, constituting a technological process, stated Athanase Nduwumuremyi, a senior scientist at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
Banana Panama Disease, is a devastating wilting disease of bananas caused by a soil-inhabiting fungus species. For the past decade, it had been effectively restricted to Southeast Asia but now it has reached other parts of the world including Africa. In Rwanda, it has been threatening local varieties such as Kamaramasenge (a type of small sweet banana) Gisubi, Kayinja, and Gros Michel bananas to extinction. Nduwumuremyi says the disease remains incurable as it demonstrates resistance to all current fungicides. However, a local banana variety known as the East African Highland banana, exclusive to the Central East African region, has naturally acquired immunity.
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Conventional methods typically require over 10 years to develop new crop varieties but GMO biotechnology could accomplish this in just two years. Rwanda, under the guidance of Patrick Karangwa, the Director General of Agriculture Modernisation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, is in the process of completing a legal and regulatory framework for the safe utilization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Additionally, members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)’s Committee on Agriculture, Tourism, and Natural Resources have conducted oversight activities to evaluate policies and regulations concerning GMOs across the East African Community.
