NEWS
Tanzania’s Gmo Maize Field
Trials Show Promise
T
-58.0 per cent than their conventional
counterparts.
anzania’s confined field trials
of genetic modified maize is
showing promise. The crop has
reportedly shown signs of withstanding
stem borer and fall armyworm attacks
this year, which marks 2 years since
the beginning of the trials.
The confined field trials (CFT), which
started in April 2016, are located in
the semiarid area of Makutupora in
Dodoma Region. The Dodoma region
was selected so as to assess the
potential of maize varieties to produce
high yields in semi-arid conditions.
According to Senior Agricultural
Research Officer, Dr. Justin Ringo,
the genetic modified organism
(GMO) maize is going to benefit
Tanzanian farmers. However, this
is only if the government reviews
laws and regulations to allow the
commercialization of Biotech maize
seed in the country.
10 |November - December 2018
Dr Ringo pointed out that the trial
was in the final stage of tests of both
drought tolerant and insect (stem
borer) where the technology will
continue with other procedures, by
adhering to all laws and regulations
before commercialization.
Field trials
In order to ensure that maize is
attacked by pests, 20 stem borers of
maize were introduced twice (3 and
5 weeks after planting). In addition,
he said, another experiment involving
infected maize and spraying seven
times to control pest damage, where
the evaluation of the amount of pests
made by insects was held on the
1st and 2nd of October this year
(7th week after planting). Transgenic
hybrids showed higher yields to 8.3
The Senior Researcher added that both
insect resistant and herbicide tolerant
crops have helped to improve yields,
cut costs, and enable more targeted
pesticide applications.
Ideally, the GMO seeds not only
improve farmers’ bottom lines, but also
help lessen agriculture’s impact on
the environment. He also pointed out
that overall, pesticide applications have
decreased, largely due to the adoption of
insect-resistant genetically modified crops.