By: Our Staff Writer
Addis Ababa( Ethiopia Today) May 28, 2023: The Ethiopian government is currently testing the adoption of consumable GMOs without opposition.
The use of GMOs has been controversial in many African nations, including Kenya. Critics argue that GMOs could potentially pose risks to human health and the environment.
Ethiopia takes a proactive approach to GMO adoption by testing genetically modified crops. However, concerns remain over the potential health and environmental risks of GMO products, both in Kenya and Ethiopia.
The government is testing GMO maize, wheat, potato, and enset in confined areas within different agricultural research centers, according to an official at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).
Ethiopia has seen little opposition to GMO adoption due to the lack of strong consumer protection activity in the country.
The Ethiopian government is currently testing the adoption of consumable GMOs without opposition.
The government is testing GMO maize, wheat, potato, and enset in confined areas within different agricultural research centers, according to an official at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).
The official, who leads teams of researchers working on GMO adoption, spoke about the progress at an agricultural expo held for weeks at the science museum. However, the official requested not to be quoted, as he is not authorized to speak publicly.
“The adoption of these GMOs is necessary to fight diseases and increase productivity in these crops. Once proven in confined testing areas, they will be released to farmers. However, authorization from the biosafety regulators at the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Commission is required,” said the official.
So far, Ethiopia has authorized commercial purposes only for cotton, and commercial authorization for local cultivation of wheat, maize, potato, and enset is expected. However, experts have concluded that GMO products are already being imported and consumed in Ethiopia, both intentionally and unintentionally.
The lack of controlling mechanisms to test GMO and non-GMO commodities upon importation contributes to this unintentional consumption, and there is evidence of GMO items being smuggled into Ethiopia through border areas, mainly from Sudan.
Ethiopia adopted the arguable GMO proclamation in 2015, changing Ethiopia’s strict position for the first time. While the government proposes that GMOs can solve the country’s food security challenge, there has been little opposition.
