Biotech Updates

AfriCenter Launches ISAAA Report in Ivory Coast and Mozambique

June 25, 2014

ISAAA AfriCenter launched the 2013 report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops for the first time in Mozambique in Southern Africa and in Ivory Coast, West Africa.

In Mozambique, the center collaborated with the Mozambique Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM) to hold a press conference in Maputo, on May 28, 2014, which attracted many journalists from the local media houses, policy makers' scientists and activists. Presiding over the launch, Dr. Roda Nuvunga Lui, Deputy National Director, Ministry of Science and Technology said that Mozambique is shifting from its historical position of refusing to adopt agricultural biotechnology, and has embarked on a path of policy change that could allow for biotech crops field trials and eventual commercialization.

The launch in Ivory Coast was organized in collaboration with the Country's Agricultural Research Center (CNRA) on 12th June 2014. Mr Minayaha Siaka Coulibaly, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture represented the Agriculture Minister in launching the report. Mr. Coulibaly on his part acknowledged the potential of biotechnology in improving agricultural productivity in Ivory Coast. "The President of the republic gave us the mandate to modernize agriculture. We believe that improving agriculture and the food production in our country will inevitably pass through research. It is through results from research that the country will successfully fight against food insecurity and contribute to attain the Millennium Development Goals," said Mr. Coulibaly.

In both the events, the policy makers lauded ISAAA's initiative of sharing information and creating awareness on biotechnology by launching the 2013 annual status report and urged local scientists to take the lead in educating the general public on the benefits of biotech crops.

For more information on the launches, contact Brigitte Bitta at b.bitta@isaaa.org.