South African maize from genetically modified (GM) crops is completely safe for human and animal consumption, an independent biotechnology consultant Dr Wynand van der Walt said on Monday.

He was responding to comments by the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) that South Africa had “dumped” GM maize on African markets, including Kenya, Mozambique and Swaziland.

“It is a pity that repeated media releases by ACB ignore basic facts and wallow in distorted information.

“Both South Africa and Kenya followed exactly the procedural requirements under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the allegation that our maize is being dumped on African markets contrary to Protocol rules, is a blatant lie.”

Van der Walt said South African regulatory authorities had a working relationship with their counterparts in Swaziland and there was “no dumping”.

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Dar es Salaam — THE government’s Kilimo Kwanza, agricultural development blueprint, seem to have impressed visiting Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Kabeer who has shown interest to invest in the sector.

Briefing journalists after meeting Prince Bin Saud Al Kabeer over the weekend, Tanzania Investment Centre Executive Director, Emmanuel Ole Naiko said the visitor wanted to invest in large scale commercial farming.

“During our meeting we discussed a lot about investment regulations in the country and he indicated that he is interested in investing in the agriculture sector,” Mr Ole Naiko said.

He said the Saudi Prince was impressed by the various incentives and good investment policies which the government had put in place which attracted private capital in all sectors of the economy.

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Small-scale farmers are finding a foothold in the flower business and could complicate the plot for seasoned players in the exports market.

Among other things, the wild summer varieties grow in small open farms under the guidance of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) unlike roses that require stringent conditions such as greenhouses, hence costly.

According to the 2007 horticultural figures, the small scale summer flowers growers contributed eight per cent of the country’s flower exports, raking in Sh22 billion in revenues.

The project which started in 1982, is a collaboration between the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari), USAID and the Kenya Horticultural Development Project (KHDP) has benefited over 5,000 farmers in Central, Eastern, Coast and Rift Valley provinces.

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Rwanda is putting in place incentives to attract investment in the horticultural sector to revive exports. Kigali had halted exportation of horticultural products following the financial crisis that hit the western buyers reducing their expenditure on luxuries.

Even before the crisis, exporters were facing high transportation costs to the international markets because of lack of direct flights from Rwanda to those markets. As a result, the cold room at Kigali International Airport (KIA) has been idle for more than seven months.

Construction of the Rwf500 million (US$ 876,885) high-tech cold room capable of storing 30 tonnes of fresh produce was funded by the Dutch government. The Rwanda Bonded warehouses also known as Magerwa, which maintains the room, had been charging Rwf72 per kilogramme stored in the room per night.

As an incentive to the exporters, the government was contributing half the amount while the exporter meets the other half.

This time, the government is putting in place a transportation incentive where it will be contributing US$0.7 on every kilogram an investor exports. The government is prioritising flowers, fruits and vegetables for exports.

The head of Production at Rwanda Horticultural Development Authority (RHODA) Mr. Eric Kabayiza says the incentives are meant to attract investors in the sector to revive exports.

Tunisia continues to give a special interest to organic farming, promoting the sector thanks to the taking over the past 11 years of a number of key decisions.

In 1999, a technical center specializing in organic farming was created, to serve as a central mechanism and reference material.
In October 13, 2000 an awareness program on organic agriculture was developed to enhance the incentives and mechanisms set up in this sector.
A strategy of organic farming through the promotion of a sustainable program was set up in May 12, 2005. In 2006, a study was conducting aiming at identifying pilot areas specializing in organic farming.

In 2010, the maximum annual grant on the control and certification for producers members of development groups, cooperatives and professional groups increase from 5000 to reach 10,000 dinars per year.

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