After three years of intensive trials, government has approved the commercial cultivation in South Africa of Monsanto’s genetically modified stacked gene maize. This GM cultivar is herbicide-tolerant as well as stalk borer-resistant.
Six government departments– Agriculture, Health, Environmental Affairs, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, and Labour – were involved in the evaluation of the safety aspects for humans, animals and the environment before giving final approval. “After these trials, this maize is probably the safest in Africa,” said Kobus Lindeque,
Monsanto’s managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, at the launch of the stacked gene maize in Johannesburg. The launch was attended by hundreds of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs from all parts of South Africa. “We have also succeeded in making available the best possible gene pool in Africa with concomitant exceedingly high grain quality and added value for both the farmer and consumer,” he emphasised.
The two main advantages of the stacked gene maize – Bt and RR – are that it thwarts the stalk borer, a serious maize pest that can devastate as much as 60% of a crop, and that Roundup herbicide can be sprayed after the maize plants have emerged, eradicating weeds without affecting the maize. This saves the farmer the effort and costs of mechanical weeding between rows to control weeds, a process that can damage the maize plants and result in a lower yield. Furthermore, mechanical weeding breaks the moisture seal of the soil, causing the soil to dry out.
Separate Bt and RR maize have been available in South Africa for some time. However, by stacking the traits, both traits have now been combined in one maize plant. Seed of the stacked gene maize is available for the coming season. There is already a tremendous demand. Lindeque also announced that Monsanto has received approval from the authorities to embark on trials with a drought-resistant maize hybrid this year. Should this become a reality it will hold tremendous advantages for emergent farmers.
Monsanto has held discussions with several leaders of African countries regarding marketing this maize. Farmers have welcomed the new stacked gene maize. Gert Pretorius, chairperson of Northwest Cooperative, Lichtenburg, who attended the launch, said: “The stacked gene maize is the best news farmers have heard in many years. This variety can easily increase yields by a ton and a half per hectare, combined with considerable savings in spraying and weeding costs. I have been planting the RR maize for several years and came to appreciate its value during the drought period over Christmas.
My fields were weed-free, but if mechanical weeding had been necessary, it would have broken the moisture seal with detrimental effect on plant growth.” – Hans Lombaard Enquiries: Auriel Mitchley (011) 889 0796, e-mail [email protected]. |fw
