IndexIntroductionImportance for international development Adoption of genetically modified foods (GMOs) in African countriesConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn the 21st century, with the rapid advancement of technology, agriculture has been witness a process of transformation move. People are now exploring new avenues of food production, moving away from traditional agricultural methods and embracing innovative approaches. If the 20th century was characterized by the importance of silicon-based technologies, the 21st century is undeniably the age of biology. A significant aspect of this biological revolution is the advent of genetically modified foods, the subject of this essay. These genome-enhancing agricultural technologies have immense potential in alleviating poverty and hunger for Africa's smallholder farmers, as explored in Matthew Schnurr's work on "Africa's Gene Revolution" (2019). Unlike before, today there are new technologies that can be used for gene editing, making genomic manipulation easier and more accessible (Schnurr, 2019). Controversies surrounding this new technology have led individuals to polarize and politicize it. However, it helped farmers by giving them a voice. Various stakeholders, including politicians, are giving positive support to the adoption of technology as long as it meets the needs of end users. This article explores Schnurr's genomic agricultural technologies and their impact in ensuring development in hunger-stricken countries, particularly developing African countries. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Importance for International Development Genomics includes the analysis of the genetic composition of living things, found in their deoxyribonucleic acid and other ribonucleic acid molecules. Genome editing therefore allows plants to characterize genetic functions and improve their agricultural traits. Genomic biotechnology has the potential to open up new opportunities and innovations in various industries. It is a boost to economic growth and improving the quality of life of people around the world. In contemporary society, the global population is growing, the climate is changing and there is pressure to create new crops that are drought resistant and use fewer chemicals. Genomics has the potential to accelerate this process by endowing crops with agronomic characteristics. In the international context, genomic sequencing is important for revolutionizing food security, supporting agriculture, for example, through public, animal and plant health and food security. It also prevents the outbreak of diseases and improves agriculture through effective breeding of animals and plants. With genomic crops it is possible to improve the health of the world's growing population and preserve the environment by reducing the use of pesticides and other chemicals that pollute the soil. Finally, increased food production will ensure a longer lifespan. Schnurr explores biotechnologies that can be used for development and commerce. These include marker-assisted selection, hybrids, genetic engineering and tissue culture. Adoption of genetically modified (GMO) foods in African countries Schnurr argues that genetically modified (GMO) foods are not widely used in most African countries because they are not designed to meet the needs of the continent's small-scale farmers. They are designed only to suitneeds of large-scale commercial agriculture in countries such as South Africa and of irrigated farms, particularly cotton farms in Sudan. However, for small farmers, seeds have no value. For example, in countries like Uganda, distributed cotton seeds protect the wrong pests, requiring the use of pesticides to maintain them. In Burkina Faso the fibers produced are of low quality. Researchers sow seeds top-down and do not understand the economic and social situations of poor farmers (Schnurr, 2019). Over the past decade there has been an effort to diversify the crops and traits being tested and prioritize those that suit small-scale, large-scale farmers in Africa. The focus is on carbohydrates that had previously been ignored after failed attempts at improvement. These include sorghum, cassava, cowpeas and cooking bananas. Priority is given to traits that appear beneficial to farmers, including drought resistance, biofortification, and resistance to local pests and diseases. For example, trials are being conducted, including a nutritionally enhanced Kenyan sorghum, a drought-tolerant cooking banana in Uganda, and, in West Africa, an insect-resistant cowpea. Drought-tolerant crops tend to produce 20% more yield than regular hybrids. While Schnurr explores all of these aspects, he fails to address the safety and environmental risks associated with GMO foods, claiming they are "relatively minimal." It focuses primarily on government regulations and why GMO foods are "pro-poor." However, the big question is: is it true? Firstly, not many countries on the African continent have adopted the use of GMO foods and in some countries, such as Kenya, the use of GMO foods has been suspended, with Burkina Faso willing to give up the use of GMO seeds . Scholars such as Bill Gates have spoken out saying that genetically modified foods are necessary to fight hunger and poverty in Africa. Countries such as Burkina Faso are the largest and most significant users of genetically modified foods (Schnurr, 2019). However, in recent years, they have shown interest in withdrawing the use of Bt cotton. Why is this? Adopted in 2003, Burkina Faso was one of the first African countries to adopt Bt cotton, which made headlines. In 2014, Bt cotton served more than 140,000 smallholder farmers. Since then, many farmers have embraced the technology and, compared to conventional cotton, Bt cotton produces 50% higher yields and profits. Additionally, fewer pesticides are used which saves labor time. However, Bt cotton seeds are quite expensive and, despite the yields, do not offer quality for most farmers. Farmers have claimed that the lint is less desirable and of low quality, which results in lower prices on the international market. Furthermore, the machines produce a small amount of cotton, which means low profitability. Farmers who deliver cotton to companies have regulated prices, and due to the low quality, these companies are moving away from Bt cotton. This raises questions about the future of genetically modified foods on the continent. Is it beneficial or harmful to farmers? Researchers and distributors of genetically modified crops do not take into account the needs of poor small farmers. In Kenya, genetically modified foods have raised the issue of health and safety as diseases such as cancer spread and cases increase. Experiments conducted to prove this by giving rats GM corn havedemonstrated high rates of cancer, and this prompted the government to ban these foods. However, the ban has been lifted and it is one of the few African countries to have adopted the use of genetically modified foods. Schnurr doesn't even examine alternative reasons why genetically modified foods have failed in Africa. However, in chapter two of his book, he focuses on the rules and regulations imposed by governments as the reason why African countries have not embraced the use of genetically modified foods. Regulations restrict countries from using genetically modified crops or selling products from genetically modified foods (Rotimi, 2019). Before genetically modified foods are released into Africa, governments require a regulatory regime that complies with environmental and food safety standards. Most donor companies are always willing to operate in countries without such regulation, for example Kenya. This has created debates about regulations and the potential for African countries to adopt genetically modified crops that will transform agriculture. Recently, such companies are pushing for regulatory efforts at regional and continental levels, with the aim of having a centralized mechanism that addresses all African countries. They argue that a one-size-fits-all solution is needed to enable the distribution of genetically modified foods across the continent (Shilomboleni, 2020). In countries like Uganda, an analysis of the process of regulating genetically modified foods shows an overlap between the institutions and personnel responsible for promoting and regulating this biotechnology. The analysis shows that the people who invest in ensuring the success of the technology are the same people who make decisions about accountability and oversight of the technology. Various advocates have argued that for the technology to succeed on the African continent, political will to improve current regulatory structures for the safe consumption of genetically modified foods is needed. However, the real challenge lies in making promotion and regulation distinct due to the limited domestic capacity of most African countries (Schnurr, 2019). South Africa and Kenya are the few countries that have legalized the cultivation of genetically modified foods, and they have had great success. In Kenya, the planting of GMO crops is legalized and the government's top priority is to ensure food security. Countries such as Malawi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon and Swaziland are new players in the adoption of genetically modified foods. Among these countries, only Ethiopia and Nigeria allow the commercial planting of GM crops, with cotton being the only crop planted. This means that governments do not legalize the planting of food crops. Although Schnurr has conducted an in-depth, country-by-country analysis of the use of genetically modified foods, he underestimates the reasoning behind the cause of Africa's strict regulation of the use of GMOs in food production. Africa. The precautions were introduced from Europe through national government organizations, the United Nations system and the assistance of foreign national agencies. In Europe, the use of genetically modified foods has been barred from agricultural fields due to the high regulations and standards that many companies do not meet. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) has an African Model Law that promotes current policies, and this has been consolidated with the assistance of a German foreign assistance project. Countries like Zambia have rejected genetically modified food aid, but no role has been assigned to European NGOs, 1-12.