ISAAA Report Launched in Malawi and Mozambique

Stakeholders in two Southern African countries are in support of the use of biotech crops to address challenges in the agricultural sector. During the Launch of the ISAAA report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2014 in Malawi on May 26, 2015, Mr. Alik Manda, representing the Director General of the National Commission for Science and Technology, said that the Malawian government recognizes the possibility of increasing agricultural productivity through biotechnology. He observed that the challenges faced by the country such as the recent floods and chronic dry spells will be tackled by the use of multiple tools, including the best of conventional technologies as well as modern biotechnology. Acknowledging the efforts of Malawi researchers in conducting biotech crop trials, he said that Malawi farmers should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of modern agricultural technology as their counterparts elsewhere in the world.

At a similar function in Maputo, Mozambique on May 28, 2015, Dr. Carlos Santana from the Ministry of Science and Technology reported positive progress in the review of the biosafety law, expressing optimism that the changes would be approved by the government in the coming weeks. This approval meant that the country could henceforth forge ahead with conducting trials on biotech crops, and subsequently commercialization of GM crops. The participants at the two meetings, including journalists, policy makers and scientists understood the need to educate the public on the role of agricultural biotechnology in transforming agriculture.

For more information on the two meetings, contact Mr. Paul Chege from ISAAA AfriCenter at pchege@isaaa.org.