HOMEF Cites Health, Environmental Risk For The Ban of GMOs
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called on the Akwa Ibom State government to ban the cultivation and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the state.
This appeal is part of HOMEF’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and protect the environment. GMOs, scientifically produced seeds, negatively impact agriculture.
Speaking at a One-day Training on Agroecology for farmers at Uyo Afaha Nkan in Ikono LGA on Monday, the Director of HOMEF Programmes, Joyce Brown, said their concern is rooted in GMOs’ potential health and environmental risks.
She stated that several countries have already banned or restricted the use of GMOs due to these concerns, adding that some European countries like France, Germany, and Austria have prohibited the cultivation of GMOs within their borders.
Similarly, Brown said African countries like Algeria and Madagascar had banned GMOs.
She said HOMEF’s move is aimed at encouraging the Akwa Ibom State government to follow suit and prioritise the health and well-being of its citizens.
The HOMEF Director of Programmes said that by banning GMOs, the State can promote organic farming methods that prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and human well-being.
“We call on the Akwa Ibom State Government to ban GMOs because of their negative impact on the environment and human consumption.
“We will make plans to meet with the government officials in Akwa Ibom to clearly explain why GMOs are a bad idea and why we call on them to ban them.
“The call is ongoing at the national level for GMOs to be banned and for the country to embrace and promote agroecology so that healthy food could be produced for human consumption.”
She expressed delight that the organisation’s free training for farmers on how to produce organic pesticides and organic fertilizer is yielding fruit, as many farmers are currently experiencing bounty harvests on their farms.
Brown said that if GMOs are allowed, the country’s food system will be controlled, thereby leaving the nation at the mercy of the seed manufacturers.
She stated that apart from destroying the ecosystem, studies have shown that GMO has negative health implications on human beings, like cancer and immune deficiency, among others.
Our correspondent reports that the event’s theme is ” Solving the Food and Climate Crises: Practical Training on Agroecology.”
