The impact of agriculture biotechnology on economic development in South Africa

Abstract

Biotechnology has been in existence for many years and continues to evolve over time. It has been used in many industries, including health, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and others. This research focuses on agriculture biotechnology, with a particular focus on genetically modified (GMO) crops, which have been in existence for more than two decades and have been adopted worldwide; leading countries include the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Canada, amongst others. South Africa is also in the top 10 countries that use GMO crops and is a leader in Africa. According to research, South Africa has three approved GMO crops - maize, cotton and soybeans and has reached an overall 91% adoption rate of the GMO crops. The agriculture industry is one of the key industries in South Africa, which is a developing economy. The sector absorbs a large number of unskilled labourers and it ensures food security. Yet this sector is facing challenges such as climate change, disease and pestilence, which are threatening the growth and sustainability of the industry. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact that agriculture biotechnology has on the economic development and growth of agribusiness in South Africa. The tools used to collect data included reviewing journals and articles, and holding in-depth interviews with farmers, academics and government officials. The constant comparative analysis method was considered appropriate to analyze the research data. Research shows that there have been elements of economic development due to the growth of GMO crops, including increased production yields and profitability, yet disadvantages have also been identified with regards to health and the environment. As it is not clear whether some of the challenges mentioned were discovered through research, it is recommended that the government deploy more resources to clarify the current concerns regarding the GMO crops and to address local agricultural challenges. The government should develop strong collaborations with countries with developed economies that have been using GMO crops in order to learn strategies for handling GMO crops. The government should deploy more resources and create public awareness on GMO crops and lastly, more resources should be deployed to monitor GMO crops statistics and such information be made available to the public.