OFAB Ghana officials on a field trip with farmers, seed producers, researchers, and media in Nyankpala
Principal Biosafety Officer at the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Kwesi Anderson, has revealed that the PBR cowpea is the first and only Genetically Modified (GM) seed approved for commercialisation in the country.
“The only approved GM seeds in the country are the PBR cowpea,” he stated.
According to him, scientists went through all necessary protocols before the variety received approval.
“A lot of regulations, monitoring, and controls were put in place to ensure that the PBR cowpea is safe for humans, animals, and the environment,” he noted.
He, however, debunked claims that the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved other GM seeds.
“There are rumors that the NBA has granted permits for 14 varieties, but every permit we have issued so far is meant for grains for food feed processing. They are not meant for planting. However, as you know, something meant for food can be planted. I want to set the record straight that the only GM seed variety approved by the NBA is the PBR cowpea,” he explained.
Mr. Anderson urged the public to report any GM seeds found in the market to the NBA for investigation and necessary action.
“If you hear of any GM seeds on the market, please inform the NBA so we can investigate and conduct the necessary testing.”
Senior Food Scientist at CSIR–SARI, Dr. Flora Christine Amagloh, assured Ghanaians that the genetic modification has not altered the nutrition of the PBR cowpea.
“The genetic modification has not affected the nutrition of the PBR cowpea. It is as nutritious as ordinary cowpea,” she stated.
She disclosed that all essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals, are all intact in the PBR cowpea.
“Our research confirmed that it contains all the necessary nutrients, so the message is clear: the PBR cowpea has not altered nutrition in any way,” she said.
Plant Breeder and Research Scientist at CSIR–SARI, Dr. Gloria Adazebra, and expressed confidence that the PBR cowpea will address farmers’ challenges.
“We witnessed the devastation insects caused on farmers’ crops, and they struggled to control these pests. With proven technology available, we developed the PBR cowpea to help solve this problem,” she stated.
She noted that with the PBR cowpea, farmers only need to spray twice to protect their yields.
“The PBR cowpea is not harmful to the environment or humans but rather, it is an income-generating technology for farmers.”
Farmers in the Northern Region, have welcomed Ghana’s first genetically modified (GM) crop, the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea.
Adam Lansah, a farmer, told DAILY GUIDE that the PBR cowpea has increased his yields due to its pesticide resistance.
“This year, when I planted the PBR cowpea, I experienced a bumper harvest. I’m very happy and now my fellow farmers are asking me about it,” he said.
He indicated that he only needed to spray twice this season, compared to over ten times in previous years.
“I used to spend so much money on pest control, but now I only spray twice, saving money while increasing my yields. I wish my farm was closer to show you the results because after harvesting my cowpea, I planted maize, which also grew very well. I’m grateful to those who developed this variety,” he stated.
Mr. Lenah, has encouraged his fellow farmers to adopt the PBR cowpea to also benefit from it.
This was made known when the Ghana Chapter of the Open Forum on Agricultural and Biotechnology (OFAB Ghana) organised a field trip for farmers, seed producers, researchers, and media members to update them on the progress and advantages of the new PBR cowpea variety, also known as Songotra T.
The PBR cowpea was developed and launched in July 2024 by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR–SARI), in partnership with local and international organisations.
FROM Eric Kombat, Nyankpala