Tanzania PM Gives Support to Use of Biotech in Agriculture

Minister Mizengo Pinda of Tanzania called on local scientists to do research on crops using biotechnology during a meeting at Dar es Salaam with members of the scientific community and policy makers. His statement gave an added push to the current agricultural blueprint, Kilimo Kwanza.

"It's foolish even to imagine that we would be the only clever ones around as our neighbors all around us push ahead with the promises of biotechnology in agriculture," he said. "Let's have the experts ... our own experts ... lead the way in this instead of listening to people who have nothing to show for their opposition -- except ignorance and hearsay."

Earlier, the Prime Minister had assured scientists of the government's promise to provide at least one percent of the country's gross development product for research and development noting that this had been a directive from President Jakaya Kikwete.

For more crop biotech news about Tanzania, email Dr. Nicholas E Nyange, Chief Research Officer and Programme Officer of the Biotechnology & Biosafety Directorate of Research, Dar es Salaam at nicholasnyange@yahoo.com or nnyange@costech.or.tz