Farmers across the country plead with the government and researchers to clear the air on the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) before the eagerly anticipated agricultural technology hits the Rwandan soil.
They say they are worried about speculations that GMO seeds will degrade their lands and potentially cause diseases to consumers.
“We have heard that when you grow GMO maize, for instance, in one farm, all crops in the nearest fail, and only that maize thrives. The law has been passed, but we don’t have the information,” one farmer says.
“My neighbor told me that these modified seeds cause cancer and could also cause human infertility. It would be better if the officials in agriculture first come to us and give us information before these seeds are used in Rwanda,” another one adds.
Speaking to IRIBAnews, farmers from different districts expressed mixed views and asked officials in charge of agriculture to provide truthful information about them.
The Government of Rwanda gazetted the GMOs law in February 2024 but information about the controversial technology remains insufficient especially to farmers.
Bugingo Leonidas, a cassava farmer in Gacurabwenge secto, Kamonyi district, says he has just heard that the use of genetically modified is coming to Rwanda but knows nothing else about the development.
“I don’t have any information about these seeds, but my neighbor told me that when you plant genetically modified maize, all the nearby crops fail,” says Bugingo, adding he has, however, learned these seeds resist crop diseases.
Thacienne Mukabadege, a farmer from Murambi sector in Rulindo district, says “I heard on Radio Rwanda that a law was enacted allowing the use ofGMOs. My concern is that these seeds are said to cause cancer and human infertility.”
“Minagri (the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources) should first provide truthful information about this matter.”
Rwamagana district’s farmers aren’t any different from other districts. They are also hungry for the information about GMOs.
Alphonse Mugabo from Mwurire sector says, “I wouldn’t reject anything that could make my banana plantation yield more, but my issue with these technologies is that they are assiociated with adverse effects. They might yield well this year, but completely fail the next. It needs careful consideration.”
Boniface Zigiranyirazo from the Gisagara district shares Mugabo concenrs, noting that genetically modified seeds are likely to cause losses to farmers. “Honestly, I don’t know if I am going to use those seeds because once they are in the soil, I’ve heard, they degrade it. One might harvest a lot this season, but will not harvest anything next season.”
Government assures farmers of GMOs effectiveness
Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, recently told the media that although GMOs are widespread around the world, many people still do not understand them.
“Not many people understand what it is, but GMO is a program that has spread worldwide, and we are also preparing to launch it in Rwanda. It is a way to ensure food security by using seeds that grow quickly and are climate-resistant. Thus, Rwanda is preparing for GMOs in a way that ensures safety for those working on it and those who use it or researchers,” he said
Dr. Athanase Nduwumuremyi, a researcher at the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) and the director of Rwanda’s chapter of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa says different groups are being educated on GMOs.
“GMO seeds do not cause nearby crops to fail. Those are rumors… It’s been less than three months since the law was published in the official gazette; we are currently training different groups by providing them with information on genetically modified crops. Journalists, as one of the groups helping to disseminate information to the public, have been trained and we will continue to do it.
As we speak, we are training a group of young people working in agriculture and a number of farmers will also receive training,” he says.
“I would tell farmers that they should not to worry because before these seeds are distributed to the public, thorough research is conducted. As an example, there is research we have done on genetically modified cassava; although it is not yet complete, it has so far shown no problems that can be caused by GMOs to the nearest crops,” he says.
Do GMOs cause cancer or infertility?
The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Academy of Sciences in America, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in 2017 confirmed that there is no evidence that ‘GMOs’ cause cancer or other serious health risks.
This is reiterated by Pacifique Nshimiyimana, the director of the International Alliance for Science, who says that those claiming that ‘GMOs’ cause diseases like cancer or infertility are trying to mislead people.
“Whenever there is a change, inevitably, such misinformation will arise. You may remember with the ‘Covid-19’ vaccine. Those spreading this information usually have some vested interest in some way or another… other rumours are caused by ignorance;” he says.
“Our duty as the ‘Alliance for Science’ is to collaborate with stakeholders to provide the public with truthful information. Changing perceptions is not easy, but together we hope to demonstrate the benefits of GMOs and believe it will be fruitful.”
The European Union’s food safety authority reviewed over 1,000 scientific studies on GMOs in 2020 and concluded that GMOs have no adverse effects on human health and when planted in a field, do not harm other crops or degrade the soil. These findings align with the statements made by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011 and 2017, confirming that GMOs have no wffwcts on human health and do not harm the environment.
There are currently no GMOs on Rwandan soil as of May 2024 but confined research on cassava is ongoing, according to Government officials.
Written by Emma-Marie Umurerwa
Iriba.news@gmail.com
