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Anti-GMO stances ‘insult smallholder farmers’ in Africa and Asia
Science advocates in Africa and Asia reject claims that genetically modified (GM) crops have been hijacked by big companies from the West to promote “a neo-colonialist agenda.” Citing studies and the fact that Asian and African scientists are developing GM crops for their own countrymen, the science advocates said the…
Biotechnology is boosting yields of high-protein African yam bean
African scientists are using the tools of biotechnology to boost the climate-resiliency and yields of the high-protein African yam bean. Scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Genetic Resource Center are employing marker-assisted selection and other biotech tools, as well as conventional plant breeding, to add traits…
China pushes ahead with GMO crops to safeguard food security
As China moves to expand production of genetically modified crops, it’s taking steps to counter pockets of GMO opposition that have stymied adoption of the technology. Though China was the first country to grow GM crops commercially, starting with virus-resistant tobacco plants in 1988, it has lagged behind other…
5 ways gene editing is making crops climate-resilient
Our world is undergoing climate changes that have triggered a spate of calamitous disruptions on agricultural production and overall food security. From the devastations of tropical typhoons to droughts that are increasingly pervasive and severe, it appears that Nature is trumpeting her rather boisterous bid to furnish us…
Developing countries pay hefty price by restricting GMO crops, new research shows
Two new studies show that countries pay an economic, environmental and health cost by restricting GMO crops.
CRISPR scientist Echo Pan delivering a new type of gut punch
Scientist Echo Pan is using the tools of CRISPR-Cas to deliver a gut punch that heals, rather than harms. Pan, a Ph.D. candidate and Rockey Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) Fellow at North Carolina State University, hopes that her research will aid the development of highly customized…
Sweet potato farmers profit from climatic protection
An iron digger adapted from a motor vehicle spring thrusts effortlessly deep into the sides of green vines covering an earth mound. With the care of an archaeologist, farmhand Simbarashe Ncube meticulously scoops up the loosened lumps of grey soil to dislodge a copper-colored sweet potato that barely fits into…
Meager funding commitments cast doubt on UN Food Systems Summit goals
More than 200,000 people have died of hunger since the much-heralded United Nations Food Systems Summit concluded nearly two weeks ago. Another 720 and 811 million people — primarily women and children — do not have enough to eat. However, it appears unlikely that this unfortunate trend will be…
Nigerian farmers just can’t get enough of GMO cowpea seeds
Nigeria is witnessing a shortage of genetically modified cowpea seeds as farmer demand for the insect-resistant crop dramatically outstrips supply. Public sector scientists who developed the high-yielding variety have struggled to produce enough certified seeds to meet the huge demand as farmers who planted it in trials last year spread…