09 Sep 2014

Pandamatenga farmers have suggested that government should introduce incentives for those producing organic and genetically modified-free food as a way of discouraging production of genetically modified (GM) food.

Speaking at a farmers’ consultative meeting on climate change policy recently, most farmers agreed that taxes must be imposed on importation of GM products. Most farmers agreed that there was too much controversy surrounding GM crops.

“We must guard our position of keeping the country GM-free and perhaps introduce incentives of recognising farmers who are producing GM free products,” said Mr Ed Cumming. 

“We must not sacrifice health for increase in yield, there are long term health risks associated with consuming GM foods,” another farmer Mr Dean Hatty added. 

There were however concerns that while farmers are not allowed to plant Genetically Modified (GM) crops yet the country imports GM products into its borders. 

Director for Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Dr Oduetse Koboto noted that there was need to consider the agriculture and climate change policy if GM production was to be considered.

He noted that crop production sector was one of those most hit by adverse effects of climate change resulting in unpredictable weather patterns. 

Dr Koboto said it was necessary for them to be consulted so that their input can be incorporated into the climate change policy. “This is important because once this policy is adopted there will be obligations,” he said. 

For his part, principal meteorologist Mr Balisi Gopolang confirmed that climate change is a reality and that research indicates that temperatures are going to continue rising and rainfall will continue to vary. 

He noted that population growth, demand for resources and heavy reliance of fossil fuels are some of the reasons that are driving climate change.

Farmers noted that they were already feeling the impact of climate change experiencing violent thunderstorms as opposed to slow continuous rain that they are used to. 

Another farmer in Pandamatenga, Mr Tienie Kruger said that he has observed that the first rains come a bit later than they used to. He noted however that as farmers there is very little they can do because they are reliant on other sectors. 

“We buy ready-made chemicals, tractors and fertilizers therefore we do not have much of a say because this is out of our control. There is the paradox of cutting more trees in order to produce more food or cutting less trees and producing lesser food. 

If we want self-sufficiency it is going to come at the risk of de-bushing unless we resort to importing,” Mr Kruger argued. 

However, Kruger suggested that as farmers they can apply pressure on chemical companies to provide them with environmentally friendly chemicals. 

Uncontrolled fires were identified as a fuel for climate change as huge chunks of land are gutted every year by fires, emitting harmful gases into the atmosphere. 

Mr Ed Cumming noted that agriculture and conservation are bound to clash because agriculture demands that trees must be cut down to produce and conservationists prefer everything to be left just as it is.

“However we must not lose sight of what is practical and what is not,” he noted. 

This consultation was part of the government’s effort towards developing a policy for climate change to help the country mitigate the effects of climate change. ENDS