One of the most amazing applications of agricultural
technology is drought tolerant crops. As climate change persists water
efficient seeds can help farmers produce food while using less water. Africa is
a drought prone region making farming risky for millions of farmers who mainly
rely on rainfall for water. Market
research reports for seed reveal that maize is the most widely grown
staple crop in Africa with more than 300 million people depending on it for
food and it gets severely affected by drought. Thanks to plant breeding
technology Africa’s main food source can now be produced with drought tolerant
traits protecting the crop during unpredictable environment stress.
Recent research has led to the development of new agriculture
and seed technology as suggested by seed
industry research reports. The WEMA project is a unique public private
partnership led by Kenya based African Agricultural Technology Foundation
(AATF) and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Howard G. Buffett
Foundation and USAID. WEMA uses breeding techniques and biotechnology to
develop drought tolerant seeds.
Mozambique harvested its first genetically modified maize in August 2017
which led to further experimentation.
The work is being done by the Institute of Agrarian Research (IIAM)
which is one of the founders of the WEMA project and includes participation of sub-Saharan
countries such as Tanzania, South Africa and Uganda through their respective
agrarian research institutes. Genetically modified seeds from the US are also
being tested under research projects of WEMA to develop drought tolerance in seed
industry.
India is also developing techniques to combat drought
situations that are frequent in states such as Jharkhand, Orissa and
Chhattisgarh. Experts say that future production will mainly be from the use of
seeds that can perform under stressed conditions like drought. Sahbhagi Dhan is
a drought tolerant variety of rice. As compared to conventional rice it
produces nearly double the yield (in drought conditions), requires half as much
water and matures much faster. DuPont Pioneer has developed around 5 hybrid
seeds keeping in mind the depleting water table and uncertainty of monsoon in
India. The innovative science driven solutions have enabled certain hybrids
like Pioneer Millet Hybrid 86M66 and 86M88 to tolerate severe drought
conditions, low or negligible rainfall and poor irrigation conditions. As a
result of this there was a 45% increase in productivity of Pearl Millet and its
production has increased by nearly 20%.
WEMA project has successfully completed several years of
research and the result has been promising. Authorities have also shown their
support. Tanzanian scientists have recently released their promising research
on biotechnology. During meetings and discussions held for the WEMA project
these researchers were supported by their government to carry on with the field
trials of transgenic drought tolerant seeds. Recently the Tanzanian government
amended the Environmental Management Regulations by removing strict liability
to provide a better environment for conducting research. Uganda has also made
significant contributions. The WEMA project has developed drought resistant
maize hybrids which are sold under the brand name DroughtTego.
WEMA has led to further developments. The project
coordinators have announced the next set of actions which will focus on
ensuring that Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania among others initiative on
commercialization of the improved maize by 2023. India is also contributing
significantly in this respect.
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