The world of agriculture is changing fast thanks to crop modification. Several innovative modification techniques have emerged in crop breeding. Godwin Lemgo from Bayer Crop Science shares how these techniques allow farmers to produce food more efficiently.
In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Lemgo explains how the process has evolved.
“For example, for insect protection, organic agriculturalists would take soil and sprinkle it on their plants before realising that this is killing some of the pests. Alternatively, they would use crystalised Bt powder to spray on the pests.
“However, we know that it is not the soil that is killing it but rather something in it, so the normal instinct is to purify the soil. But imagine if we could make this plant produce proteins to strengthen its immunity and protect itself against these pests, ” he explains.
Lemgo also talks about crop modification that is currently being done with cassava and sorghum.
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Regulatory and ethical considerations
There are, however, some regulatory and ethical considerations that farmers should be aware of when adopting genetically modified crops.
“There are regulatory data that you need to be able to generate to bring a single new improved variety through genetic modification to the market is unbelievable. We are talking years. It will take you more than 13 years from discovery to the time this product makes its way to the farmer,” he says.
In this episode, Lemgo also discusses:
- The most innovative genetic techniques in crop breeding;
- Regulatory and ethical considerations; and
- How farmers can play a role in educating consumers regarding GMOs.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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ALSO LISTEN TO: Podcast: How to access fresh produce markets in SA
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