NIGERIA – A coalition of non-governmental organizations, farmer groups and research experts have called on the Nigerian government to immediately ban the distribution of Genetically Modified (GM) Cowpea, a popularly known bean among Nigerian farmers. The group known as the Health of Mother Earth Foundation also called for the urgent need for the Nigerian government to reinforce the nation’s biosafety…
READ MORE
PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is set to begin mass deployment of Golden Rice to farmers by ramping up its seed production operations following the approval of the commercial propagation of Golden Rice. Farmers in the Philippines obtained the seal of approval to grow genetically engineered Golden Rice in July 2021, marking the successful culmination of a…
READ MORE
EGYPT – The Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) has announced that the agricultural research scientists in the authority have started harvesting the production of a new strain of genetically-modified (GM) wheat at the authority’s site in Inshas city, Bilbeis, Sharqia Governorate. The authority said in a statement that the strain has high-productivity with distinct characteristics such as being resistant to…
READ MORE
BELGIUM – The federal authorities in Belgium have granted permission to perform three new field trials with genome-edited maize to confirm that these maize plants are more resilient to climate stress and better digestible when exposed to actual field conditions. The effects of climate change have a major impact on agriculture. Crops are subjected to more prolonged periods of drought…
READ MORE
NIGERIA/GHANA – Nigeria and Ghana are to team up to augment adoption of Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea with a view to further enhancing scientific bilateral collaboration for a “New Africa.” A delegation from Ghana led by the Chairman Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Emmanuel Marfor, and the Ranking Member, Parliamentary Select Committee on…
READ MORE
EUROPE – The European Union has approved herbicide tolerant genetically modified oilseed rape, and soybeans as safe having gone through a comprehensive and stringent procedure, including a favorable risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The authorization for the two crops, oilseed rape 73496 and soybeans GMB151 is valid for 10 years and does not include cultivation. In…
READ MORE
NIGERIA – Nigeria is set to commence the national performance trials for drought tolerant and insect resistant maize known as TELA, a huge step for farmers towards better pest resistance and productivity. TELA maize, which exhibits resistance to fall armyworm, stem borers, and tolerates moderate drought, was developed by researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University. The…
READ MORE
TANZANIA – Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) research centres, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), have developed four new improved banana hybrids coded TARIBAN1, TARIBAN2, TARIBAN3, and TARIBAN4. These improved hybrids are the first-ever, improved banana hybrids to be officially released in the country that are resistant to the important pests and diseases ravaging the current…
READ MORE
UK – Crop Science Centre, a coalition between the University of Cambridge and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), is set to conduct a field trial of genetically modified and gene edited barley to check on ways of minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers. Reduced use of synthetic fertilizers could have significant benefits for improving soil health while contributing…
READ MORE
U.S – Pairwise, a US-based company that uses CRISPR technology and gene editing to develop new varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, has unveiled its first consumer label, Conscious Foods. The introduction of Conscious Foods represents a significant next step in the Pairwise mission to build a healthier world through better fruits and vegetables using CRISPR and gene editing to…
READ MORE