Banana bacterial wilt is infecting Uganda’s banana farms, hurting farmers’ incomes and depriving the population of an important source of carbohydrates.
Cassava brown streak disease is destroying another key carbohydrate source.
Banana and cassava seeds genetically modified to be resistant to these diseases are locked away in Uganda’s research facilities because of the actions of a small but loud minority armed with the ideology of fear, Isaac Ongu reports in GeneticLiteracyProject.
Canadian filmmaker Nick Saik wants to prove that GM foods are safe. He has been in Africa shooting part of a documentary entitled “Know GMO.”
Nick, 27, interviewed African banana and cassava farmers, scientists and policymakers — those looking for a solution to diseases threatening staple plants in Africa.
The intention of “Know GMO” is to tell the story of modern agriculture from a fresh perspective, Nick said.
Nick is quick to say he is anti-nothing. Rather he is pro organic, pro GMO, pro food, and pro regulations when necessary.
