AGRA Clarification on Biotech Research Welcomed by African Scientific Community

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) issued a press statement that the organization “supports the use of science and technology” – including genetic modification (GM) technology – “to aid Africa’s smallholder farmers in their urgent efforts to end widespread poverty and hunger”.The press release clarifies previous allegation that the Alliance does not favor the use of the GM technology in Africa as hinted from the speech of the AGRA president former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.  

The Alliance’s position on biotechnology is consistent with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPA) plan on biotechnology which states that “regional economic integration in Africa should embody the building and accumulation of capacities to harness and govern modern biotechnology”. Major agricultural organizations in Africa agree that although the potential of conventional breeding is not fully harnessed, new technologies such as biotechnology should be utilized because of their enormous potential to contribute food sufficiency and poverty alleviation.  

For further clarification contact Hans Lombard Public Relations at hanspro@iafrica.com the press release is available at http://www.absfafrica.org/Africa%20welcomes%20AGRA%20clarification.pdf