Biotech Updates

WEMA Maize Shows Promising Resistance to Fall Armyworm in Mozambique

May 2, 2018

Early results from the field trials of Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) show that the genetically modified maize plants are protected against insect pests, even without the use of pesticides. This indicates that the GM maize varieties could help ensure Africa's food security.

The GM maize varieties under field trials were engineered to withstand drought and stem borer attack. Moreover, results also showed that the GM maize varieties also exhibit promising resistance to fall armyworm, which is one of the major pest problems faced by many farmers in Africa today.

These initial results have positive implications not just for Mozambique, but also for other countries developing WEMA varieties such as Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

Read the article from Biosciences for Farming in Africa and My Joy Online for more information.