Tanzania’s minister for Agriculture Hon, Hussein Bashe, has stated that Tanzania is not ready for GM crops. However, Tanzania has allocated funds for two high-end labs to research and understand GM crops before taking any further steps.

“We first want to understand GMOs through research and then educate our farmers before we start using them”, said Hon Bashe.

Hon Bashe made those remarks before the press on Jan 1o, 2o23 in Dodoma while addressing the Agenda 10/30 implementation strategy to various agricultural stakeholders.

Many African countries are sceptical about the importation and the use of GMOs over health and environmental concerns. The ban was sparked by a study from French scientist Gilles-Eric Séralini linking genetically modified foods to cancer, which led to bans on GM organisms importation and cultivation in several countries.