Crop production in Zimbabwe is constrained by a host of biological and physical stresses including droughts exacerbated by climate change. Biotech crops also called genetically modified (GM) crops can alleviate some of these stresses if harnessed appropriately. The adoption of biotech crops comes with a set of rules and regulations to protect the safety of the environment and human and animal health.

AUDA-NEPAD’s ABNE programme has been providing technical support to Zimbabwe in the past few years for the development of functional biosafety regulatory systems in the country. From 24 to 27 June 2024, a technical team from ABNE was in Harare for a workshop to support the development of regulations for GMO containment, confinement, and general release, and the development of guidelines for genome editing. 

Prof. Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (MHTEISTD) officially opened the workshop. In attendance were 33 in-country regulators and stakeholders from the National Biosafety Authority and relevant government institutions.

The workshop started with introductory presentations on the science of genetic modification and other genomic technologies and on GMO regulation in Zimbabwe. Then followed a drafting session devoted to developing consensus documents for regulating the containment, confinement, and environmental release of GMOs. This session was facilitated by Mr. Jameson Mukaratirwa, Director of Legislative Drafting, Office of the Attorney General.

The workshop was wrapped up on 27 June 2024 with the regulation ready for submission to the appropriate body for adoption and publication.  It was agreed that subsequent meetings will be convened to specifically develop the genome editing component of the regulation which could not be addressed during this workshop. 

Zimbabwe has made headways in recent years by commencing multi-location confined field trials of GM cotton. The National Biotechnology Authority Act has been in force since 2006 and the country adopted guidelines for regulation of agricultural biotechnology, and for the production of biofertilizers in 2018.

Once adopted, the newly developed guidelines on containment, confinement, and general release will complement the biosafety regulatory toolbox to allow the country to safely harness opportunities in biotechnology for agricultural development. Such a move aligns with the Aspirations of the African continent as stipulated under Agenda 2063, specifically in Aspiration 1- A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development and Goal 3- Healthy and well-nourished citizens.