Tanzania: Genetically Modified Crops

November 15, 2013 | Pulitzer Center

Tanzania faces the question of whether food from GM crops will sell at markets like this one in Dar es Salaam. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Food staples like cassava and corn are being genetically modified to resist pests and droughts. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

GM crops can’t be grown for food in Tanzania under current regulations. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Corn and beans, both targets for GM research, are eaten daily by Tanzanian children. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Because corn is such a staple, families store it in large quantities. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Most corn in Tanzania is grown on small farms along with bananas and other crops. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Some food crops are targeted for improvement by conventional breeding as well as genetic modification. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

African scientists have worked to improve tomatoes and other foods. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Tanzania’s neighbors have begun field trials on GM crops. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Success with research in neighboring countries could influence policy in Tanzania. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Plant virologist Joseph Ndunguru and other Tanzanian scientists are urging the government to ease restrictions on GM crops. Image by Sharon Schmickle. Tanzania, 2013.

Tanzania is caught in the middle of an intense global debate over genetically modified crops.