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Last week we introduced the concept of Genetically Modified Organisms (‘GMOs’), Genetic Engineering and Biosafety.  This week we continue our overview of GMOs, and how the application of GMO technology in Swaziland would irreversibly damage some of our traditional agricultural practices.

But first to recap on what exactly genetic modification entails: it involves the artificial manipulation of one organism’s internal structure by way of introduction of a gene with desired traits from another.  This differs from traditional plant or animal breeding (hybrids) as GM technology enables plant breeders to bring together in one plant useful genes from the entire range of living sources, not just from within a closely related crop or plant species. 

Traditional Agriculture

Traditional Swazi agriculture entails planting, weeding, and addition of manure.  Farmers would plant a variety of crops; maize, peanuts, sweet potatoes, beans etc. and these would be rotated annually to ensure the nutritional balance of the soil was maintained.  This system was handed down between generations and was affordable even for the local subsistence farmer.  What’s more, it ensured a balanced diet for rural people.  With GM crops, the methodology will change.  Despite claims of pest resistance in GMOs, farmers have lost vast sums of money because the GM crops are resistant only against certain weeds or pests.  Further, the expensive artificial sprays required are only available from the same GM corporation who sold the seed to the farmer in the first place!  Whilst the corporation profits twice, farmers are sucked into a cycle of dependency, and lose their traditional self-sufficiency.

Another example of how GM farming methods damage traditional systems is the contractual requirement for farmers to cut off the tassels from their maize crop.  This is required to minimise chances of cross-pollination.  Not only is this an added labour cost for farmers, it also demands a change in the traditional timing of work in the maize field.

Seed Saving
One of the cornerstones of our traditional farming practice is the retention of seeds from the year’s crop to plant again the following year.  This simple exercise has allowed farmers to be self-sufficient for hundreds of years. 

GM seed saving is not possible.  Since GM seeds are patented by the GM corporation responsible for the technology used in their modification, they become property of this company.  This means that a farmer cannot save and replant the seeds from the previous year’s harvest without the seed company’s permission, otherwise he would be violating their copyright.  This would have far reaching financial and legal implications for Swazi farmers.  This situation currently obtains in Canada and the USA where farmers are being sued for millions by the GM corporations for alleged breach of copyright.

Further, GM seeds are often manipulated to inhibit reproduction.  Known as ‘terminator seeds’ these products can only be planted once and seeds saved from the harvest are engineered specifically to die and fail to germinate.

Summary

The changes in farming practice that are demanded by GM agriculture represent a decay of indigenous knowledge systems amongst rural people.  Traditional practices may be forgotten in only a few generations, and in many instances the GM corporations would actually take legal ‘ownership’ of our own people’s knowledge and resources;  a situation never seen before in Swaziland.

Next week we’ll be looking at an area where GM-technology is already alive and kicking in Swaziland; and is affecting the most vulnerable people in society.  This is the sensitive, political issue of genetically modified food aid.

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