Genetically modified cowpea to be commercialised
GHANA will have its first locally developed genetically modified (GM) cowpea (beans) – Bt Songotra variety released for commercial cultivation by the close of the year.
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Developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (SARI), it has produced sufficient early generation seeds and is working towards making them available for seed companies to multiply for distribution to farmers.
This development is expected to help increase the production of the crop, strengthen the country’s food security, and help reduce the prices of the crop, a major staple in the country.
The Principal Investigator in charge of GM Cowpea project at CSIR SARI, Dr Jerry Nboyine who announced this at a scientific community workshop in Accra, said “we aim to release an additional after varieties of GM cowpea after 2023; these will be Bt Apagbaala, Bt Padituya, Bt Wang-Kae, Bt Kirkhouse Benga.
Exploring methods of producing a second generation of Pod Borer Resistance (PBR) Cowpeas that expresses cry 1 Ab and Cry 2 Ab is ongoing.”
He explained that the goal of the PBR cowpea project is to contribute to food security and improve livelihood for small-holder farmers in SSA by using biotechnology tools to develop improved, high yielding farmer preferred cowpea varieties that are resistant to attacks.
The workshop organized by Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) brought together scientists to dialogue on the ongoing GM technology activities in Ghana and to shed light on the significant progress made in the development of a GM product, specifically the PBR cowpea, within the CSIR.
Ghana’s annual demand for cowpea is estimated at 169,000 tonnes, meanwhile, the country produces only 57,000 tonnes annually.
This is because average yield on farmers is below 1.0 tonne per hectre due to insects and pests.
Developing biotechnology products
Emphasising the importance of the workshop, the Director-General of CSIR Ghana, Prof. Paul Bosu, said in a world where science and technology play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future, it is imperative that scientists and advocates are equipped with accurate knowledge to effectively communicate.
He said their ability to convey the benefits and implications of GM technology to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public at large is pivotal for informed decision-making and progress.
He explained that it is crucial to acknowledge that developing biotechnology products, such as the PBR Cowpea, is a complex journey laden with legal requirements and regulatory scrutiny.
“CSIR has achieved a significant milestone in obtaining environmental release approval for the PBR Cowpea, a testament to the dedication and diligence of our scientists and partners. However, securing approval is only one facet; effective communication is the bridge that connects innovation with societal acceptance.
In this respect, CSIR's collaboration with OFAB and partners like AATF will continue to be instrumental, providing a powerful communication platform to advocate for the acceptance of the approved PBR Cowpea.
In the pursuit of advocating for the acceptance of biotechnology products, it is paramount that we, the scientists, become ambassadors and champions of our own creations.
Guidelines on genome editing
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Eric Okoree, said the authority is working on guidelines for the regulatory process of genome editing to ensure safe development, transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms.
“In September, we will be coming out with guidelines in genome editing. Now genome editing is not a classical way where the gene is transferred from the donor to the recipient through the gene gun or the agrobacterium
So to practice that in Ghana, we have come out with guidelines on that. We have also come out with guidelines on stack genes which grants the opportunity for anyone who wants to add a gene on another,” he said.