Transgene Flow: Challenges to the On-Farm Conservation of Maize Landraces in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Transgene Flow: Challenges to the On-Farm Conservation of Maize Landraces in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Blog Article

Brazil is one of the largest global producers AROMATHERAPY NECKLACE of genetically modified crops and a center of origin and diversification of relevant species for agriculture and food.Transgenic monocultures occupy around 50 million hectares, whereas smallholder farmers, indigenous people, and traditional communities are responsible for in-situ/on-Farm conservation of local genetic resources.Based on 15 years of expertise in regulating GMOs and in cross-institutional agrobiodiversity conservation projects, this article discusses the challenges regarding the coexistence of these two agricultural models based on transgene flow detection in maize landraces.As part of a broad and unique participatory transgene-flow-monitoring process, 1098 samples of maize landraces were collected in the Brazilian Semi-arid Region between 2018 and 2021 and analyzed using immunochromatographic strips.

The tests revealed 34% of samples with presence of GM proteins.It is concluded that the biosafety standards in force in Brazil do not allow the assurance of on-Farm conservation of maize.The sectors that contribute to agrobiodiversity conservation and do not benefit from using GM seeds are taking on the burden of this process.Transgene flow Set of 3 bowls can be reduced by approving and enforcing more effective coexistence rules that consider maize landraces crop areas also as seed-producing areas added to full disclosure of commercial seeds origin.