https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260603/safeguarding-biological-sovereignty-how-africa-can-resist-western-gmo-push-1086331564.html
Safeguarding "Biological Sovereignty": How Africa Can Resist Western GMO Push
Safeguarding "Biological Sovereignty": How Africa Can Resist Western GMO Push
Sputnik Africa
Scholars in Africa are challenging a widespread but often subtle genetically modified agricultural inputs, such as seeds, across the continent, arguing that... 03.06.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-06-03T15:40+0200
2026-06-03T15:40+0200
2026-06-03T15:40+0200
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Safeguarding "Biological Sovereignty": How Africa Can Resist Western GMO Push
Sputnik Africa
Scholars in Africa are challenging a widespread but often subtle genetically modified agricultural inputs, such as seeds, across the continent, arguing that Western multinational agribusiness firms are using biotechnology and seed patents to recolonize Africa under the guise of development.
In Africa, debates over genetically modified crops continue as governments, farmers, researchers, and civil society groups weigh food security goals against questions of seed ownership and market concentration. Agricultural sector reports and policy analyses indicate that a small number of Western agribusiness companies hold a significant share of the global commercial seed market, particularly in patented and genetically engineered varieties. Scholars and stakeholders on the continent interpret these shifts through political economy and postcolonial frameworks as forms of structural dependency shaped by intellectual property rules and lopsided trade systems. They contend that the expansion of patented seed systems, alongside donor-funded agricultural programs and licensing regimes, can increase Africa's smallholder farmers' reliance on purchased inputs and reduce indigenous seed-saving practices. African Currents interviewed Professor Ejikemeuwa Ndubisi, a philosophy scholar at Tansian University in Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria, who is among the leading critics of GMO promotion in Africa. He argues that the introduction of genetically modified crops mirrors neocolonialism through economic and ideological influence, weakening African food and biological sovereignty.Catch the full discussion on the African Currents podcast, presented by Sputnik Africa.Listen to this episode on our website or Telegram.► You can also stream the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict.► Subscribe to and explore all the episodes of African Currents.
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Safeguarding "Biological Sovereignty": How Africa Can Resist Western GMO Push
Scholars in Africa are challenging a widespread but often subtle genetically modified agricultural inputs, such as seeds, across the continent, arguing that Western multinational agribusiness firms are using biotechnology and seed patents to recolonize Africa under the guise of development.
In Africa, debates over genetically modified crops continue as governments, farmers, researchers, and civil society groups weigh food security goals against questions of seed ownership and market concentration. Agricultural sector reports and policy analyses indicate that a small number of Western agribusiness companies hold a significant share of the global commercial seed market, particularly in patented and genetically engineered varieties. Scholars and stakeholders on the continent interpret these shifts through political economy and postcolonial frameworks as forms of structural dependency shaped by intellectual property rules and lopsided trade systems. They contend that the expansion of patented seed systems, alongside donor-funded agricultural programs and licensing regimes, can increase Africa's smallholder farmers' reliance on purchased inputs and reduce indigenous seed-saving practices.
African Currents interviewed Professor Ejikemeuwa Ndubisi, a philosophy scholar at Tansian University in Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria, who is among the leading critics of GMO promotion in Africa. He argues that the introduction of genetically modified crops mirrors neocolonialism through economic and ideological influence, weakening African food and biological sovereignty.
"We now experience through GMO food what is called an 'ideological recolonization,' whereby the African now sees what is indigenous to him as something inferior, as something that is not worth it. So, what comes from the West, the GMO foods now, is the best, regardless of the indigenous patterns, indigenous approaches, indigenous ways of promoting our food, and all that [...]. What has been colonized for me is biological sovereignty, okay? Which means Africa now has lost it. And so that's the capacity for that autonomous food reproduction; it's no longer there. African nations should come together to be very proactive [...]. One is strengthening seed sovereignty. I am of the opinion that African governments must legally protect farmers' rights to save. Another one, which is very important, is massive investment in independent African research. Agro-ecological developments: the issue of climate change and all that. So, there are other strategies, like intellectual decolonization. All these put together will help to attend to this issue of decolonizing the mind of the African person in this regard," Prof. Ndubisi said.
Catch the full discussion on the African Currents podcast, presented by Sputnik Africa.
Listen to this episode on our website or
Telegram.►
Subscribe to and explore all the episodes of African Currents.
