Report By: Ishmael Barfi
According to the Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana(SVCAG), the commercialization of Genetically Modified Organisms(GMO) seeds for soya beans will affect numerous peasant farmers engaged in cultivation.
The kick against the government’s attempt the Association reiterates is to safeguard the country’s pride from being contaminated while preserving the natural state of the beans.
In addition, the possible loss of peasant farmers’ livelihoods should the government go ahead with its plan.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Accra on Friday, 30th May 2024, the Executive Secretary of the Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana, Mr. Yaw Afrifa Anim decried the possible destruction of the Ghanaian non-GMO soyabeans production.
Therefore a need for an immediate and pragmatic response to protect the host of peasant farmers engaged in the cultivation.
“The Ghanaian non-GMO soyabeans production is the niche market and when lost, it will result in massive unemployment”, the Association revealed.
Mr. Yasw Afrifa Anim reiterated that Ghana risks losing from GMO soya bean cultivation.
Aside from struggling to raise money for land preparation, irrigation, mechanization, inputs, and services as well as warehousing, he disclosed that peasant farmers will face difficulty in raising several dollars to import soya beans for cultivation since harvested seeds will not be viable for cultivation.
Given the growing concern, the Association has outlined 6 ways by which the country stands to lose should GMOs be commercialized.
SVCAG strongly believes that Ghana will lose the non-GMO soya beans niche market while there are fears of possible collapse of the domestic market as consumers demand non-GMO soya beans.
The Association disclosed that GMO seeds will push smallholder farmers out of business.
The rest according to the SVCAG include increased unemployment, Ghana will lose its food sovereignty and security, and this will make the country uncompetitive in the face of the global market.
Rather than rolling out a measure that holds greater prospects of eroding gains made in the sector, SVCAG is urging the government to promulgate legislation that will instead protect the value chain and the country at large.
Source: www.thenewindepednentonline.com
