[align=justify]Zimbabwe to learn biotechnology from China


HARARE (New Zimbabwe) -- Shunned by the West for oppressing his people, Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, has turned to China for comradeship.[/align] Two weeks ago, Mugabe and his lieutenants were in China - on a begging mission. His country’s economy now in a shambles, Mugabe saw it fit to plead with China to rescue his fast sinking ship.
Expectedly, China - a fast growing economy, has pledged to come to Mugabe’s aid. Help will be limited, meaning that Zimbabweans’ troubles are far from over.
What now awaits Zimbabwe - once Africa’s food basket? Agriculture, which is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, for one, is on its last throes.
Outdated agricultural policies, obsolete farming practices coupled with bad politics are largely to blame for the country’s down turn. Why shouldn’t Zimbabwe, now, take advantage of its newfound suitor- China, to revitalize its agriculture? China, for instance, has and continues to benefit from modern biotechnology.
Zimbabwe similarly could benefit immensely if it courts biotechnology. This would make it self-sufficient in food and stop relying on relief aid! Monetary handouts such as the one President Mugabe is craving are only a stop-gap measure to Zimbabwe’s food problems. China is currently the hub of biotechnology in Asia. Since the planting of the first genetically modified crop in the US fifteen years ago, China has aggressively pursued cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. So far, it has given regulatory approval to eight varieties of biotech corn, seven types of canola and one of soybeans. As a result, China can now feed its 1 billion people without seeking outside help. China is no longer in the list of the countries the United Nations (UN) considers in need of food assistance. In a very short period of time, China has transformed its agriculture, effectively moving from recipient of food aid to a donor. Admirable achievement!
China’s success in biotechnology can be attributed to a number of factors. One, China, unlike many African countries, has refused to politicize the issue of genetically modified food. It has worked closely with the US to promote a regulatory system based on sound science to expedite GM approvals. This is despite the presence of major political differences between these two countries.
Two, China’s enthusiasm in training first-class scientists on modern biotechnology has been steadfast. It has invested billions of dollars in science and technology education. As a result the country is now able to make informed decisions about genetically modified food. Now that Zimbabwe is engaged with China, can’t it take advantage of this new acquaintance to modernize its agriculture? Zimbabwe remains strongly opposed to GM food for no justifiable reason. Even a time like this when it is facing acute food shortage Zimbabwe would not allow food aid laced with genetically modified organisms into its territory. Relief organizations are required to produce GMO certificates to certify that food being brought into the country is GM free. Is this necessary at all?



http://www.tehrantimes.com/Descripti...t=9&Num=16

This is very good news for Zimbabwe.

I love the insecurity displayed by the author of this article... I wonder what he's so afraid of...Lol