Hunger and its causes

Southern Africa

Arguments over genetically modified (GM) food are complicating the distribution of humanitarian aid in southern Africa. Despite severe food shortages, Zambia has rejected recent shipments of GM corn from the U.N. World Food Program.

Drought, poverty, HIV/AIDS and poor government planning have contributed to Malawi's severe food shortages. Some 3 million in the country risk starvation. MCC is supplying the local Brethren in Christ Church with $34,200 Cdn./$21,550 U.S. to purchase food for 1,700 families. Photo: Tom Pilston - Christian Aid/ACT International

MCC is also wrestling with the issue and decided to mill corn before shipping it to Mozambique and Zimbabwe in September. The shipment of 3,760 metric tons of corn comes from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Like most commercial corn supplies in Canada, it is a mix of GM and conventional varieties.

Milling the corn will address concerns about the GM corn being used as seed but not health concerns raised by Zambia.

Genetic modification includes inserting genes with desirable traits -- such as high crop yield and resistance to pests -- into seeds. The issues that surround modification involve governments, farmers, environmentalists, agribusinesses and humanitarian agencies and raise questions about patenting, ethics and the natural diversity of plants.

The urgent need for food in southern Africa cannot wait for these issues to be resolved. At least 11 million Africans are at risk of starvation.

MCC milled the corn for southern Africa at an additional cost of $63 Cdn./$40 U.S. per metric ton. In Zambia and several other countries, MCC is providing local partner agencies with funds to purchase and distribute food from elsewhere in Africa.

"When people are starving, we must respond and provide appropriate food," says Willie Reimer, director of MCC's food, disaster and material resources programs. "At the same time, we need to listen carefully to partners in Africa and look at the longer-term implications."

In Malawi, southern Africa, crops have shriveled and granaries are empty. Food prices in the cities are rising, while in rural areas some families are eating roots and grass seed to supplement their meager harvests. Photo: Tom Pilston - Christian Aid/ACT International

Of particular concern to some African governments is how the introduction of GM corn could affect small-scale farmers, who make up the majority of Africa's population. Food security for these farmers depends on their ability to save seeds. Most of the farmers use seeds saved from their harvests, but patents on many GM varieties require that farmers purchase seeds every year from agribusinesses.

In addition, propagation of GM corn could alter natural varieties through cross pollination and hurt future trade.
These and other issues are increasingly debated as GM foods become more common. At least 40 percent of corn currently grown in the United States and Canada comes from GM seed.

MCC will continue to face this issue, Reimer says. MCC ships between $8 and $11 million Cdn./$5 and $7 million U.S. worth of North American-grown food each year. To date, most agencies and countries have not set policies concerning biotechnology and genetic engineering. That seems subject to change, however, as the technologies continue to draw both criticism and praise.

As the debate plays out, Africa's food shortage will likely worsen in upcoming months. The next harvest season in much of southern Africa comes in March or April. MCC's corn shipment is scheduled to arrive in early November.

Southern Africa food crisis