Uncertainty and confusion on genetic engineering of main food crops in Africa have delayed the acceptance and application of these crops by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, say researchers. Model calculations reveal that the costs of a one year delay in approving the pod-borer resistant cow-pea in Nigeria will cost the country 33 -- 46 million dollars, and more disastrously, will take theoretically 100 to 3000 lives, the team reports.