Africa needs streamlined regulation to support the deployment of GM crops

Atkinson, H. J.; Roderick, Hugh; Tripathi, Leena

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.06.005

Cited by 8 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Knowledge on disease diagnosis and management is a very important parameter for effective disease and pest control [14][15][16] so it is urgent that there should be a program of training for these farmers. Moreover, according to Atkinson et al [5] the effectiveness of support to agricultural innovations necessarily depends on the recognition of farmers' needs, such as widely available and affordable planting materials, the dissemination of knowledge for their effective use, and the access to markets. Although banana and plantain production were considered as backyard crops in Benin, they contribute significantly to household food security [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some sub-Saharan African countries, bananas feed more people per unit area than any other staple crop. Its production implies low production costs and is not subject to shocks from changes in world prices, unlike crops such as rice, maize and wheat [5]. In Benin, the production is estimated at 22284 tons for 4698 hectares of bananas [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization and Typology of Banana Producing Farms in the District of Houeyogbe in Southern Benin

Ahouangninou

Zandjanakou-Tachin

Abiola

et al. 2021

CJAST

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Background: Banana constitutes an important crop in the tropics and participates in food security in many countries of Africa. It is a widely consumed fruit in Benin. Unfortunately, the trend in yields of this crop showed a year to year decrease since 2008 to 2019, leading production to continue falling short of demand. However, there is a paucity of information on farming systems in Benin, an important step to tackle this issue. This study aims at characterizing the types of bananas farming production systems. Methods: We conducted structured interviews with sixty-two (62) farmers in four villages of Houéyogbé District in southern Benin between November 2015 and February 2016. Farmers were selected randomly in each village from lists based on the recommendation of local authorities and extension services officers. Results: The results reveal three classes of banana farms which operate differently and thus have different features. Group 1 is made up of small-scale farms with low-income farmers. These farmers did not hire labour, did not follow agronomic production practices, and did not maintain their farms well. Such farms can be classed as “backyard crop garden”. Group 2 includes farms with average size and income in whose farmers maintain their fields, conduct inter-cropping, did not use bought planting material but sold it. Exclusively headed by men, Group 3 includes large-size banana farms whose owners had high income, who use fertilizer, and maintain their farms well. Areas planted, seed purchase, leaf-stripping and system of production significantly influence income at the 1%, 5% and 10% thresholds respectively. Conclusion: Several constraints to banana production have been identified through this study. They include pests and diseases, lack of clean-certified planting material, type of land, amount of fertilizer and maintenance inputs, and market. In addition, production is limited by a lack of knowledge on agronomic practices. Training on macro-propagation, agronomic practices, pests and diseases recognition with control strategy could help overcome these constraints and improve banana production in this district.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and Typology of Banana Producing Farms in the District of Houeyogbe in Southern Benin

Ahouangninou

Zandjanakou-Tachin

Abiola

et al. 2021

CJAST

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“…With shifting nematology profiles playing out across SSA, as demonstrated by Musa , resistant breeding programs need to be as robust as possible and account for as broad a range of nematode species as feasible. The ability to target several species through transgenic approaches would enable more efficient and timely deployment of novel sources of resistance ( 9 ).…”

Section: The Future Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Coyne

Cortada

Dalzell

et al. 2018

Annu. Rev. Phytopathol.

212

149

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Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a region beset with challenges, not least its ability to feed itself. Low agricultural productivity, exploding populations, and escalating urbanization have led to declining per capita food availability. In order to reverse this trend, crop production systems must intensify, which brings with it an elevated threat from pests and diseases, including plant-parasitic nematodes. A holistic systems approach to pest management recognizes disciplinary integration. However, a critical under-representation of nematology expertise is a pivotal shortcoming, especially given the magnitude of the threat nematodes pose under more intensified systems. With more volatile climates, efficient use of water by healthy root systems is especially crucial. Within SSA, smallholder farming systems dominate the agricultural landscape, where a limited understanding of nematode problems prevails. This review provides a synopsis of current nematode challenges facing SSA and presents the opportunities to overcome current shortcomings, including a means to increase nematology capacity.

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“…However, regulatory processes have not yet optimized in Africa to support rapid and safe uptake of beneficial crops (Atkinson et al. ). A further major issue is political concerns that have hindered progress for aubergine (Brinjal) in India but not Bangladesh (Herring ).…”

Section: Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes

Tripathi

Atkinson

Roderick

et al. 2017

Food and Energy Security

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Banana is an important staple food crop feeding more than 100 million Africans, but is subject to severe productivity constraints due to a range of pests and diseases. Banana Xanthomonas wilt caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is capable of entirely destroying a plantation while nematodes can cause losses up to 50% and increase susceptibility to other pests and diseases. Development of improved varieties of banana is fundamental in order to tackle these challenges. However, the sterile nature of the crop and the lack of resistance in Musa germplasm make improvement by traditional breeding techniques either impossible or extremely slow. Recent developments using genetic engineering have begun to address these problems. Transgenic banana expressing sweet pepper Hrap and Pflp genes have demonstrated complete resistance against X. campestris pv. musacearum in the field. Transgenic plantains expressing a cysteine proteinase inhibitors and/or synthetic peptide showed enhanced resistance to a mixed species population of nematodes in the field. Here, we review the genetic engineering technologies which have potential to improve agriculture and food security in Africa.

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Africa needs streamlined regulation to support the deployment of GM crops

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Characterization and Typology of Banana Producing Farms in the District of Houeyogbe in Southern Benin

Characterization and Typology of Banana Producing Farms in the District of Houeyogbe in Southern Benin

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes

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