COMESA Recognizes Potential of Biotechnology

As African countries grapple with various challenges including population growth, increased competition for land and water resources, climate change and the need to protect the environment, there is an urgent need for new solutions to increase agricultural productivity. Increased integration and improved regional competitiveness needs a transformation from subsistence farming to larger commercial oriented units that are demand driven. Mr. Stephen Karangizi, the Assistant Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),  acknowledged the contribution that biotechnology can make in the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and other important sectors in the COMESA region. Karangizi shared these thoughts during a workshop on commodity trade and biotechnology organized by the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) in Lusaka, Zambia. ACTESA is a specialized Agency of COMESA.

Karangizi also pointed out that COMESA will support systems that carefully assess and evaluate new technologies to improve agricultural productivity in the region. The workshop was attended by COMESA co-operating partners, representatives from COMESA member states, the private and civil sectors, commodity traders and farmers, the media and the COMESA secretariat staff.

For additional details about the workshop email Dr. Cris Muyunda Chief Executive Officer, ACTESA, at  cmuyunda@comesa.int. Visit the COMESA website at http://www.comesa.int