The Ghana Chapter of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB Ghana) has engaged seed producers, farmers, and members of the media on the status of Ghana’s first genetically modified (GM) crop, the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea.
The PBR cowpea, locally called Songotra T, was developed and commercialised in July 2024 by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR–SARI) and its partners.
Speaking at the engagement, Mr Enoch Ilori, Project Officer at OFAB Ghana, explained that the session was to bridge the knowledge gap between agricultural technologies and the public.
“We brought key stakeholders to meet the experts who developed the seed, and those who understand its nutritional value, to explain how the variety was developed, whether it is safe for consumption, and how it compares with conventional cowpea,” Mr. Ilori said.
He noted that although the variety had been approved for commercial cultivation, seed producers were still multiplying seeds for large-scale distribution.
The event featured an “eating is believing” session, where participants sampled meals prepared with the PBR cowpea to confirm its safety and nutritional qualities.
Mr Kwesi Anderson, Principal Biosafety Officer at the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), reassured participants that the variety had undergone all required regulatory checks before approval.
“What has been approved is suitable for both cultivation and consumption. We encourage farmers to embrace the variety to increase yields and protect the environment,” he emphasised.
On the scientific side, Dr Gloria Adazebra, Research Scientist and Plant Breeder at CSIR–SARI, highlighted that the PBR cowpea was developed to tackle the devastating maruca pod borer, a pest that had long plagued cowpea farmers.
“Previously, farmers sprayed chemicals as many as 8 to 10 times in a season to control the pest. With the PBR cowpea, farmers may spray as low as twice per season, which reduces costs and chemical use,” Dr. Adazebra explained.
She stressed that the technology would enable farmers to increase yields, boost incomes, and reduce poverty, malnutrition, and environmental degradation.
Also speaking, Dr Flora Christine Amagloh, Senior Food Scientist at CSIR–SARI, assured participants that genetic modification had not altered the nutritional profile of cowpea.
“Research has shown that the PBR cowpea provides the same proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals as the conventional variety. Its taste and texture remain unchanged,” Dr. Amagloh said.
She added that given the rising cost of protein in Ghana, the PBR cowpea could be an affordable and accessible nutritional option for families.
Farmers who piloted the new variety commended CSIR–SARI and OFAB Ghana for the innovation. Madam Abdulai Suweiba, a farmer from Nyankpala, testified to its performance.
“The yield has been impressive compared to the conventional variety. I encourage other farmers to embrace it to enhance production,” she said.
The engagement brought together farmers, seed producers, researchers, and media representatives, all of whom praised the initiative for its potential to transform cowpea production and strengthen Ghana’s food security.
Source: Access Agric
