SA way ahead in GM crops

04 March 2011 - 00:47 By Reuters
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South Africa's land area for genetically modified crops for the 2010/11 season increased 6%, but fears about the safety of such crops made it hard for other African countries to farm them, Deputy Agriculture Minister Pieter Mulder said yesterday.

South Africa, the world's No7 producer of GM crops and Africa's biggest, has experienced a rapid increase in gene-altered crop output since it started growing such produce in 1998.

But despite the need for more food, some African countries, including Zimbabwe and Zambia, have banned GM imports, fearing they could be harmful to humans and animals.

"I think there is progress [in adopting GM crops], but I know there are a lot of perceptions that make it difficult," Mulder said.

"Of course, we must be alert and responsible in the development of GM crops . but if we are really serious about food security in Africa, emotional propaganda about these issues will never get us there."

South Africa's genetically modified crop area increased to 2.3million hectares in the 2010/11 season from 2.16million hectares in the season before, an industry report showed.

African countries have come under increased pressure to grow more food because of rising hunger and malnutrition caused by lower food production.

The land area cultivated for maize was 1.9 million hectares, while genetically modified soya beans were produced on 390000ha and cotton on 15000ha, the report issued by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications showed.

It said that in Egypt, the second country in Africa to plant GM maize, the crop area increased to 2000ha from 1000ha in the previous season.

South Africa harvested its biggest maize crop in three decades in the 2009/10 season, leaving it with a surplus of about 4 million tons for export and alternative uses.

The government has said maize could not be used to make biofuels to ensure food security and keep a lid on high prices.

"The debate [on biofuels] is open. On one side, it's an agricultural debate and on the other side, it's a political debate," Mulder said.

Biofuels was not only about maize but other crops, such as sugar, he said.

"Maize is up and down at the moment, a surplus this year and a drought next year, and if you base the whole [biofuels] industry on that and next year there is no maize, you are in trouble," he said.

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