Ghanaian scientists submit second application to Biosafety Authority for permission to boost Bt cowpea

Ghanaian scientists submit a second application to theBiosafety Authority for them to be allowed to boost Bt cowpea

Dennis Baffour-Awuah*

The scientists of Council for Industrial and Scientific Research (CSIR) and theSavanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in Ghana submitted another application to theNational Biosafety Authority (NBA).

The applicants wish to obtain authorization from the authority to add a second gene to the cry1Ab which has already been introduced in Bt cowpea.

They claim that the new gene cry2Ab will make Bt cowpea more robust and increase its resistance to the parasite Maruca and its possible mutations that might develop later.

The request was made on January 30, 2023, at the offices of the NBA.

Present were scientists from SARIstaff of the NBAstaff of theOpen Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), staff of theAfrican Union Development Agency (WET) and other stakeholders.

For more than ten years, the SARI a worked on the genetic modification of a popular variety of cowpea, the soggyin order to resist Glass doora pod-boring insect.

This insect is responsible for the destruction of more than fifty percent cowpea in farmers’ fields, resulting in low profits.

Empty pesticide bottles. [Joseph Opoku Gakpo]

To protect their crops once morest the pod borer, farmers usually resort to expensive chemicals that affect their health due to lack of protective equipment and failure to follow precautionary measures.

The gene cry1Abderived from a soil bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis Bt), was introduced into the cowpea variety to enable it to develop resistance to the pod borer insect.

This decision was made following scientists asked the NBA permission to begin work on the modification of the crop plant.

On June 30, 2022, the biosafety authority approved the release of Bt cowpea into the environment.

« The board of directors of the NBA determined that the genetically modified plant does not present an impaired environmental risk or food safety or feed safety concern compared to conventional cowpea varieties in Ghana “, can we read in the statement.

« The Council therefore approved the release into the environment and the placing on the market of cowpea (Unguiculata vine L. Walp.) genetically modified for pod borer resistance (Glass door) Event AAT-7O9AA-4 for a period of ten (10) years, renewable. »

However, scientists are expected to meet certain data requirements before the National Variety Registration and Release Committee (NVRRC) cannot grant marketing authorization.

Dr. Francis Kusi answering questions. [Dennis Baffour-Awuah]

The director of SARIDr. Francis Kusi, explained that insects develop into new biotypes and break down any susceptibility that has already been established for them.

« So with this approach, we are simply trying to increase the level of genes so that if a particular insect can overcome one of them, the other will be able to knock it out. “, did he declare.

« It’s that approach, and that’s why we’re now asking for the addition of a second gene to make the product more robust and allow farmers to maintain resistance longer. »

He added that as scientists they need to think ahead and be proactive to avoid any disadvantages in the future.

The CEO of the NBAEric Okoree, addresses the participants. [Dennis Baffour-Awuah].

Mr. Eric Okoree, CEO of NBA received the request on behalf of the authority and stated that they will do all risk assessments and grant approval if all requirements are met.

According to the law, the NBA must make its decision following receipt of an application within 180 days.

Mr. Okoree said they would not exceed this deadline.

Professor Walter Alhassan, former director general of the CSIR and stewardship expert, said this type of research stimulates further scientific study to avoid any future problems.

He also highlighted the need for the addition of the gene cry2Ab.

Make sure nothing goes wrong

« This request is correctly submitted. I think we are moving forward in stages and the biggest hurdle has been cleared on the pod borer resistant cowpea which has been approved for environmental release and trade “, did he declare. It’s just nature’s way of ensuring species survive. Pests will mutate and then continue to live, and so when they mutate for that gene (cry1Ab), another gene (cry2Ab) will come to eliminate them. »

He also said that observing nature, it should come as no surprise that another gene is needed, because the first gene might be bypassed following a while.

The national coordinator of theOFAB said the request is a good thing and indicates that the scientists are on the ground, and they know what they are doing to make sure nothing goes wrong.

He said more problems would be created if scientists rushed to the lab only when farmers ran into trouble.

He also noted that it is better for them to do what needs to be done now to stop possible disasters that may occur in the future.

The scientists said they hope to get the Bt cowpea into the hands of farmers no later than next year, following all the necessary requirements and data have been submitted to the NVRRC.

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* Source : Ghana scientists make second application to biosafety authority to allow them to fortify the Bt cowpea – Alliance for Science