Why Monsanto will continue supporting biotech in Tanzania

Question: Could you briefly tell us what are your programmes for Tanzania?

Answer: Our first objective is to get new drought conventional hybrids without transgenic traits into the market as many seed companies as possible in Tanzania so that the smallholder farmers can see the benefit of the improved seeds with improved quality and in yields.

Then we will bring in transgenic with biotech traits. The first one is actually insect protection trait. They will protect the plant from stem bores.

And so our intention is to be able to do our first traits of transgenic traits in Tanzania in 2016. So, Tanzania can make the decision for themselves about the private technology for Tanzania farmers.

Q: It is rumoured that Monsanto has rejected to support GMO trials in Tanzania, while you have been supporting other East African countries like Kenya and Uganda. Can you refute this?

A: We have supported the trials in all the five WEMA countries. We have been supporting the transgenic trials in all these countries.

However, the situation in Tanzania is different from Kenya because of a number of different things. But first and foremost, was that until last year in Tanzania, they had put a rule on strict liability for doing the trials.

They worked and changed those rules and so, they made an exception that for research purposes, we will now go for the trials.

So, that is a very good positive step from the Tanzanian government to be able to demonstrate the willing to understand this technology evaluated for the benefit of smallholder farmers in Tanzania.

Since that time there have been changes, we also have been evaluating that change and preparing.And now we are ready to make an application to be able to do the trials in Tanzania.

We will make that application, and then the Tanzanian regulators will evaluate that application and make a decision whether or not meets the standards for us to do the trials in Tanzania.

We need to work with those regulators to ensure everybody understands what the expectations are, what the situation is.

So that we can move forward and all benefit mutually from the research trials that have been done. The main point here is that we want to make sure that Tanzanians are ready to do the trials as well.

We don’t want to push the technology when they are not ready.The decision of allowing the trials was made just last year. So it is a matter of working to all those details to be in line of what we can do.

Q: It is alleged that the seeds you produce cannot germinate for the second time, what are your comments?

A: Well, there is a lot of misinformation regarding what the seeds can do, and whether they cannot germinate for the second time.

There is nothing unique about the way seed can grow. We simply put one little gene into tens and thousands of genes; and does not change how plants work.

Maize remains maize despite additional genes against the insect and drought protection. So, there is nothing change in that.

Farmers should come back and because it is hybrid seed, it is best for them to plant new seed because they will maintain hybrid vigour. If they save the seed they will grow-but what they lose is the value of the vigour of the hybrid seed.

There is really no change to the way how seed works just because of biotechnology; the only thing is the additional proteins to protect it against stem bores.

Q: Do you have any advice to Tanzania, the smallholder in particular in as far this technology in concerned? A: Yes, myself I grew up as a farmer.

So my family still farms. First and foremost, you need to know what you need in your farms, for your particular situation and circumstances to enable you embrace the technology.

You need to understand it and say this is going to work in my farm and then get the seed from people that you trust. Make sure you really getting the good quality of seeds-make the potential and benefits and realise those benefits.

Keep the focus and as a farmer you need to realize your particular needs and get and apply them for your own benefits.

As a farmer you need to know you are using a lot of efforts in preparing your farm, so, you need to plant seeds that are of high quality. You need to be strong advocate of your won as farmers so as to enable you get the products that you need.