Current status and challenges of food biotechnology in Africa

Food biotechnology has the potential to solve many of Africa’s agricultural problems. However, the current status of this technology and the challenges preventing its widespread adoption are not well understood. Progress is hindered by a substantial lack of long-term, region-specific field data on the ecological and socio-economic impacts of genetically modified crops in different African agro-ecological zones. Such data is crucial for moving beyond generalised concerns and informing evidence-based policy. To address this issue, this review analysed peer-reviewed journal articles, reports and other relevant documents rigorously selected from Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus. The review outlines the current situation and the main obstacles to implementing food biotechnology in Africa, as well as its potential for improvement. The main barriers to widespread acceptance were found to be misinformation and concerns about the safety, environmental impact and ethical implications of genetically modified crops. These concerns can result in policy restrictions and unfavourable public perceptions. This study recommends improving technology transfer and providing small-scale farmers with access to biotech products. This would provide African governments, policymakers, stakeholders, and farmers with the necessary information to increase their acceptance of food biotechnology, ultimately improving food availability.