By Tidimalo Coetzee
In an endeavour to safeguard biodiversity Botswana has signed and ratified both the convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2001) and therefore bound by the obligations of the protocol. The country has already developed a biodiversity strategy and action plan which aims at conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity of the country. One of the significant efforts in this regard is the collection of germplasm for conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources for food production by the National Plant Genetic Resource Centre (NPGRC). Germplasm collection of landraces among others includes maize (Zea mays), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), finger millet (Eleusine coracana) groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), pumpkins (Curcubita maxima) tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), sunflower (Helianthus annus) and bambara groundnut (Vigna subtarrenea). So far germplasm has been collected from the different agro-ecological areas of Botswana. Evaluation studies have been carried out on these varieties and information about any identified desirable traits is passed on to the farmers. A local NGO Permaculture Trust of Botswana is also encouraging the collection, distribution and use of traditional varieties of crops through a community seedbank program. They collected the following: sorghum 25, maize 6, pearl millet 6, sweet reed 8, water melon 12, melon 11, mixed cowpeas 11, bambara nuts 8, groundnuts 8. A total of 98 collections is found in the seed bank.
The country is also working towards maintenance of animal genetic diversity. Currently there are plans to build a facility that would be used for ex situ conservation through semen preservation. This will cater for all the local domestic animals breeds (cattle, goats, sheep and pig).
Research aimed at fostering biodiversity through natural means and low –impact management practices is currently being carried out. Research on crop rotation of cereals and legumes has shown positive benefits in the improvement of soil fertility and increased yields. Investigation of the plant-micro-organism association (legume-rhizobia symbiosis) of major importance to agriculture is being undertaken. This will not only improve soil fertility but will also assure maintenance of the essential microbiological diversity in the soils. Practices such as low tillage which also assist maintain microbiological diversity in the soils have also been researched upon and recommended to the farmers. Research is being carried out on ways through which degraded rangelands could be rehabilitated and available rangelands used sustainably. Plant germ-plasm is being screened for pasture and fodder production. Recommended fodder to improve quality and sustainability of pasture include lablab (Dolichos lablab L.) and Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.).
The country is also in the process of finalising the National Biosafety Framework which recognises the need to have measures to ensure the application of biosafety measures to safeguard the environment, biological diversity and human health against possible adverse effects of biotechnology. The framework also recognises and emphasizes the precautionary principle in the regulation and any undertaking for the import, contained use, release or placing in the market of genetically modified organisms and their products. Generally in the country the knowledge on GMO’s is still very low but the biosafety committee is mandated to raise public awareness. Although Botswana is taking a cautious step in allowing GMO’s in the country in the absence of any regulating legislation, the information on the extent to which GMO’s have penetrated the system is very little if any. Botswana is sharing borders with some countries that are pro GMO and there is a possibility of availability of GMO food and seed in our country. The expectation is that once the framework is in place and regulations are available there will be a thorough monitoring in this regard and biosafety measures will be put in place.
Botswana is currently doing a lot in terms of biodiversity conservation and biosafety issues. However, there is still a lot more it can learn from other countries that are a step ahead in these issues. The conference will serve both as a learning arena as well as an arena for information sharing and hence assist in the understanding of the intricacies involved in these subjects. Food sovereignty remains an integral issue that affect the subsistence farmer. The UN – Convention on Biodiversity should come up with stiffer regulations that assures.