ISAAA in 2024: Building Innovation-empowered and Informed Communities

Biotechnology made significant strides in 2024, showcasing its potential to address food security and environmental concerns. Innovations include the development of nutrient-rich crops like purple tomatoes and golden lettuce, as well as the engineering of plants to produce meat proteins, exemplified by Piggy Sooy soybeans and cultured beef rice. Beyond food, biotechnology is also being utilized to create sustainable solutions, such as bioengineered air-purifying plants and gene-edited bananas designed to reduce carbon emissions and food waste. The widespread adoption of genetically modified crops, with approvals in over 30 countries, underscores biotechnology's growing role in tackling global challenges.

ISAAA has been pivotal in disseminating the benefits of agricultural biotechnology, focusing on empowering resource-poor farmers through knowledge sharing and capacity building. Following a review by experts from agriculture, biotechnology, development communication, and innovation, ISAAA has refined its vision, mission, and goals to prioritize accurate biotech information, aiming to empower farmers and consumers to navigate agricultural challenges through innovation. ISAAA remains committed to being a leading global resource for reliable information, promoting informed choices, and contributing to food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability in the face of climate change.

This article highlights the milestones of ISAAA in 2024, which are featured in its latest Accomplishment Report (LINK).

Strategic direction and global reach

In a significant stride towards global impact, the ISAAA unveiled its 5-year strategic vision, mission, and goals spanning 2024-2028, placing a strong emphasis on transformative technologies and bolstering food security to forge a clear pathway for impactful global change. Further solidifying its commitment to international cooperation, ISAAA successfully connected 45 international experts from 10 countries through the ASCA7 initiative, facilitating crucial global collaboration in the field of agri-biotechnology. To ensure widespread dissemination of vital information, Biotech Updates e-newsletter reached over 20,000 subscribers across 173 countries, effectively delivering critical biotech information to a global audience.

Knowledge sharing and capacity building

Demonstrating a commitment to capacity building and knowledge dissemination, the ISAAA significantly bolstered regional scientific capabilities by equipping over 70 ASEAN participants with gene editing expertise. ISAAA solidified its position as a leading online resource for biotech knowledge, generating over 100,000 page views on its Gene Editing Supplement and the Science Speaks blog. Facilitating informed decision-making, the GM Approval Database provided access to over 500 approved GM events, while the Gene-edited Animal Database, featuring over 200 entries, sparked interest in animal biotechnology for agricultural applications. Reaching a broad audience, ISAAA achieved 1.3 million website page views and 27,000 resource downloads, underscoring its role as a vital information hub. Furthermore, ISAAA engaged 1,939 individuals through targeted capacity-building activities, significantly enhancing biotech literacy, and provided ag-biotech experiential learning for 30 STEM students and teachers, effectively investing in the next generation of scientists.

Policy and advocacy impact

ISAAA made significant steps in influencing science-based policy and disseminating crucial biotech information by publishing three policy briefs that directly impacted regulations on biotech products, labeling, and novel foods. Further expanding its reach, fifteen new publications were launched, engaging over 139,000 stakeholders and amplifying the dissemination of vital biotech knowledge. Demonstrating its substantial influence on national policy and public support, ISAAA successfully secured 172 signatories for the Declaration of Support to Biotechnology in the Philippines.

Enhanced communication and engagement

ISAAA strategically cultivated a strong social media presence, amassing 58,700 followers on multiple platforms and effectively amplifying biotech awareness and fostering meaningful engagement with a broad online audience.

Way forward

ISAAA aims to empower stakeholders, especially in developing countries, with comprehensive biotechnology knowledge through focused learning, capacity building in research, regulation, and commercialization, and promoting science-based policy frameworks. This will be achieved by fostering regional and international cooperation, engaging policymakers and the public, and building strong public-private partnerships, ultimately ensuring that farmers and communities benefit from biotech innovations to achieve food security, economic growth, and a sustainable future.

Download ISAAA 2024 Accomplishment Report (LINK) now.

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