The seed sector in Ghana should be ready to negotiate for the uptake of biotechnology products, a leading seed company official has said.
While addressing members of the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) shortly after being elected, as the president of the association, Dr Amos Azin Rutherford told the association members that the conversation on GMOs should be taken to the next level to discuss royalties, licensing, upscaling and trade issues.
He said seed people must now open up to such discussions noting that awareness trainings are no longer in vogue because farmers want high yielding products with less spraying of chemicals which he noted is burdensome to farmers.
He noted that many seed companies are misinformed about various aspects of biotechnology hence they have fear of the unknown yet the facts have been laid bare and it is upon them to negotiate for the technology and make sales out of them.
He added that Ghanaian seed companies should take advantage of the Bt Cowpea by partnering with technology developers to secure their share of the market for this Crop which will soon become available to farmers in the country.
“Farmers in Ghana want high yielding materials including the GM varieties, it is our work as the seed companies to ensure we provide them with high yielding materials, not otherwise,” he said.
He added that, “The main problem we have and which we must address is the fear of the unknown by our members. There is still fear that multinationals will drive local seed companies from the market. Providing them with correct, timely updates and showing them how it is a win-win situation will help local seed companies to understand and embrace biotech issues.”
