The development of strategies to commercialize biotech “orphan crops” is the focus of an article published in Experimental Agriculture. The paper with lead author Peter Gregory of Cornell University highlights the orphan crops, regarded as non-profitable by multinational life sciences, can be developed and commercialized in developing countries. The strategies involve the determination of the agricultural product which has the highest propriety need and the assessment of developing and delivering the product. A product development package is then constructed that will include (i) technology development; (ii) intellectual property and other policy-related issues; (iii) public information on benefits, risks and correct management of new products; and (iv) establishment or verification of the existence of marketing and distribution mechanisms.

Case studies reported in the paper are United States Agency for International Development -funded project on Bt eggplant, virus-resistant papaya, virus-resistant tomato, disease and insect-resistant banana, late blight resistant potato, and insect-resistant cabbage and cauliflower. The existence of this South -South East Asia collaboration emphasized the need for strong inter-institutional collaboration whether public/private in national, regional and global levels.

The paper can be downloaded at http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FEAG%2FEAG44_03%2FS0014479708006352a.pdf&code=d0b131300fae0987cc1b3917051f9ad5.