Setting a Biotechnology Stage in Africa

Africa has started to embrace biotechnology with South Africa becoming the first to commercialize Bt white corn for human consumption. Research and development activities in South Africa are also geared towards the improvement of various vegetables, grains, fruits, legumes, and trees. Nine other countries have already started conducting field trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops, and 19 countries are engaged in research and development on the staple crops such as sorghum, cowpeas, cassava, banana, sweet potato, millet and other crops.

These initiatives can be regarded as an offshoot of the recognition by the African Union that biotechnology has a key role in developing African agriculture and reducing poverty. The African Union Ministers of Agriculture endorsed the development of the African Seed and Biotechnology Program to enhance seed trade and to harmonize trade between member states. Public and private sector research partnerships were also forged including the ones with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Harvest Plus Inc., the government of Canada, and DuPont. Research and manpower capabilities will be funded so that African scientists can conduct and promote bioscience research on production of stress-tolerant, disease-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced strains of crops.

More on this news article at http://whybiotech.ca/canada-english.asp?id=5981.