The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
India's chief scientific adviser has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide the fate of the country's first genetically modified (GM) food crop, mustard, and a recent meeting suggests authorities may support commercialisation. While the path to a commercial launch is fraught with political opposition, allowing GM crops is critical …
Swaminathan: Trials Will Help Cultivate Trust Eminent agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan claims to have a solution for states reluctant to allow field-testing of genetically modified (GM) crops. Swaminathan has suggested that the country's premier research institution -Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) -should organise an `all India coordinated project' …
Kenya is in the last stage of adopting genetically modified organisms if an application to secure a licence to supply cotton seeds is approved. Monsanto Kenya Ltd - a subsidiary of Monsanto Company - is a publicly traded US multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation and submitted an application to …
Farmers are illegally growing genetically modified corn in China’s northeast, said the environmental group Greenpeace on Wednesday, in a report that may generate further distrust of the government’s ability to ensure a safe food supply. Beijing has spent billions of dollars to develop GM crops that it hopes will ensure …
This paper develops a three-sector theoretical growth model to capture the role of consumers’ acceptance towards the second generation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the long run growth process of the economy. An Acceptance (towards GM crop) parameter is defined as a ratio of consumption of GM to traditional …
The Philippine government said it will challenge a ban on GMO imports ordered by the country's top court, after the ruling rattled global markets this week over the threat of disruption to millions of tonnes of soybean meal shipments. Last week, the Supreme Court struck down a 2002 government regulation …
Taiwan’s legislature yesterday banned school canteens from using genetically modified food, such as vegetables or tofu. The ban is part of a revision to a decree on school sanitation that covers canteens. An inspection will be led by education, agriculture and health authorities every year to ensure schools and colleges …
Farmers and members of some voluntary organisations today staged a dharna in front of the mini-secretariat in Faridkot against the menace of stray animals. The farmers alleged that strays bulls and cows were destroying their crop. Besides, these were causing accidents on roads, they said. None of the roads of …
The Punjab government on Wednesday issued directions to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) not to conduct further field trials of genetically modified (GM) mustard crop, following the concerns expressed by a civil society group. “I have asked Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab, to direct PAU not to go ahead with further field …
NGO says it will affect bio-diveristy Activist forum — GM-Free Bengal – has opposed government alleged efforts to approve genetically modified (GM) mustard for commercial cultivation. Claiming that this was an attempt by multinationals to “enter the Indian market indirectly with the educational system”, the activists warned of severe impact …
Alleging that the Centre is going to approve the commercial cultivation of a “genetically modified (GM) mustard seed” under the guise of “hybrid mustard”, Coalition for a GM-Free India urged the State Government to continue ban on use of GM crops in Bengal. GM-Free India is a platform of NGOs …
Twenty years ago, the first genetically modified (GM) crops were planted in the USA, alongside dazzling promises about this new technology. Two decades on, the promises are getting bigger and bigger, but GM crops are not delivering any of them. Not only was this technology supposed to make food and …
America's sugar beet growers are under siege as U.S. food companies increasingly shun genetically modified (GMO) crops. In the past seven years, the farmers - many in Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, and Idaho - have all switched to GMO seeds created by Monsanto Co and sold by others as they …
The European Parliament on Wednesday rejected a draft law that would have allowed member states to ban the use of EU-approved genetically modified food and feed on their territory, a step welcomed by the GM industry. GM crops are extremely divisive in Europe and a majority of the 28 European …
Tanzania plans to conduct trials for new varieties of genetically modified maize that can survive recurrent droughts and pests. The confined field trials, to start in April 2016, will be conducted in the semi-arid area of Makutupora in Dodoma to assess the potential of the maize varieties to produce high …
The European Association for Bio-Industries (EuropaBio) says the decision by 16 EU nations to opt out of GMO crop cultivation has taken away the right of farmers to choose How have biotechnology companies reacted to this decision of 16 EU countries and four other regions? We deeply regret that some …
The proposal, which is at a discussion stage, is part of the country's multi-pronged strategy to adapt to changing climatic patterns With climate change threatening to affect India’s agriculture — a major part of which is dependent on monsoon — in the coming decades, the government is looking to increase …
Malta should utilise EU opt-out and join Austria and Italy in declaring Malta a GMO-free zone, the Green Party said. Simon Galea, the Alternattiva Demokratika’s spokesperson for animal welfare and agriculture, held that apart from the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food chain, GMO crop cultivation pose …
EU member states can adopt their own positions on whether to allow GM crops Stormont's environment minister has banned the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in Northern Ireland. Mark H Durkan said he was "unconvinced of the advantages", and his decision would hold for the "foreseeable future". The European …
Despite heated debates over the safety of genetically modified (GM) food, GM crops have been expanding rapidly. Much research has focused on the expansion of GM crops. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of non-genetically modified (non-GM) crops are not clear, although they may have significant environmental and agronomic impacts and important …
