Ziguinchor: The National Biosafety Authority is popularizing biotechnologies among stakeholders

The National Biosafety Authority (ANB) brought together several dozen stakeholders from the rural sector—farmers, fish farmers, and livestock breeders—in Ziguinchor on Tuesday for an awareness-raising workshop. This meeting is part of a national tour aimed at bringing the institution closer to producers and promoting modern biotechnologies, particularly genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

In a region where agriculture and livestock farming form the backbone of the economy, the ANB intends to strengthen the understanding of its missions and open a transparent debate on the opportunities and risks associated with biotechnologies.

"Sharing information for better management"

ANB Executive Director, Professor Alioune Ndiaye, emphasized the importance of direct dialogue with stakeholders on the ground. "Information must be shared with stakeholders for better management and to leverage modern biotechnologies in the fields of agriculture, fish farming, and livestock," he stated.

According to him, biosecurity should not be seen as an administrative constraint, but as a regulatory and protective tool that supports innovation without compromising public health or the environment.

GMOs: between opportunity and vigilance

The workshop clarified the role of the ANB in overseeing the introduction and use of GMOs in Senegal. Professor Ndiaye emphasized: "GMOs must be the subject of a detailed discussion to enable stakeholders to understand the issues and their impact on human health."

He illustrated his point with the example of the mango industry in Casamance, where some varieties are considered unattractive by consumers. Biotechnology could make it possible to improve these varieties, by enhancing their taste or their resistance to disease.

For the regional director of rural development (DRDR) of Ziguinchor, Casimir Adrien Sambou, the initiative is crucial. "This is the most important workshop in the face of the challenge of smart agriculture. The best-informed farmers obtain the best yields," he stated.

This approach highlights a key principle: agricultural innovation can only be sustainable if it is accompanied by clear and accessible information for producers.

Towards enhanced collaboration

The meeting in Ziguinchor marks a milestone in the ANB's national tour, which aims to increase dialogue with stakeholders on the ground. The objective is to build a modern, competitive, and sustainable agricultural system where producers have the necessary knowledge to make responsible decisions.

In a context where food security and the competitiveness of local sectors are major issues, the regulation of biotechnologies appears as a strategic lever to combine productivity and sustainability.