Research Projects to Secure Agriculture in Developing Countries
February 22, 2008| |
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) unveiled 12 new projects, worth US$ 14 million, that will tackle some of the common pests, diseases and environmental conditions that devastate agriculture in the developing world. The research projects will look at how important crops, like rice, maize, coconut and banana, respond at the molecular level to hostile factors like pathogen attacks and inclement conditions. The projects are part of BBSRC and DFID’s flagship initiative- Sustainable Agriculture Research for International Development (SARID).
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development and Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Gareth Thomas, said "Investing in science and research is essential to provide poor farmers with the seeds, knowledge and tools they need to make a better life for themselves. This research, bringing together UK, African and Asian scientists, has the potential to revolutionize farming in the developing world and reduce global poverty. The UK is delighted to support this initiative."
Projects include reducing arsenic levels in rice, fighting root-knot nematodes, development of drought tolerant millet varieties, and biological control of the African armyworm.
For information on the projects visit http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/media/briefings/080221_sarid.pdf The press release is available at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/media/releases/2008/080221_sarid.html
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Role of Agri-biotech in Solving Water Scarcity
- Risk Assessment to Non-target Arthropods Made Easy
- IFAD: Urgent Investment in Agriculture Needed in the Developing World
- NABNet to Improve Barley Varieties for North Africa
- Bt Toxin Resistance: an Evolutionary Action
- Global Impact of Biotech/GM Crops
- Green Mustard as a Source of White Rust Resistance Gene
- Biofortified Mustard Can Reduce VAD Prevalence in India
- Bangladesh Agric Secretary Calls for GM Crop Cultivation
- ‘Smart Crops’ Can Provide Fuel, Ensure Food and Environment Security
- Field Test of Cotton Modified for Waterlogging Tolerance
- Task Force to Improve GM Detection in the EU
- Portugal: Three Fold Increase in Areas Planted with GM Maize
- EC to Decide on Five GM Crop Applications
- Research Projects to Secure Agriculture in Developing Countries
- Most Italian Farmers in Lombardy Favor GMOs
- GM Apple with Scab Resistance
-
Research Highlights
- RNAi to Reduce Levels of a Key Carcinogen in Tobacco
- Enhancing Lead Tolerance in Arabidopsis
- Field Performance of GM Potatoes With LB Resistance Gene
- Changes in Maize Xylem Sap During Drought
-
Announcements
- Video on Global Status of Commercialized Biotech Crops
- Science with Africa Conference
- Advancing Agriculture through Knowledge and Innovation
- Nomination Open for Mahathir Science Award 2008
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (May 15, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (May 15, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet